Parental Relationships during Childhood in Homosexuality, Transvestism and Transsexualism

Abstract

The nature of the relationships of 29 male homosexuals, 34 male transvestites and 29 male transsexuals with their parents, during childhood, was assessed on the basis of the subjects' reports, and on their responses to two tests, namely the Childhood Family Relationship test and a Semantic Differential. If the subjects' reports are valid significantly more mothers of transvestite and transsexual subjects hoped for a girl prior to the subject's birth. During childhood there was a trend for homosexual, transvestite and transsexual subjects to report that their fathers lacked interest in them or were absent from home. There was little evidence to support the view that homosexual, transvestite or transsexual subjects had pathological relationships with their mother. Intrafamilial childhood environmental factors reported by homosexuals, transvestites and transsexuals appear to be non-specific.