Justice and Becoming: Reproductive Healthcare and Kinship Among Mothers of the Transgender Experience Público

Abstract

The narratives shared by the mothers interviewed in these three case studies are a testament to the resilience of sexual and gender minorities in the face of barriers to social and health equity. Structural inequities contribute to social determinants of health and build and reinforce barriers to family growth and creation. In this pilot qualitative study, mothers of the transgender experience shared their stories of how transphobia and sexism intersect with racism and ableism, contracting the capacity for mothers navigating their truths and prioritizing the safety of their children. Participants’ descriptions of interactions with medical providers are striking examples of being left behind and neglected. The absence of justice and diminished respect for autonomy, beneficence, and nonmaleficence, provide evidence of large cracks in bioethical foundations. Yet, there is a narrative of immense joy and resilience woven throughout all these cases of demanding caretaking responsibilities and personal transitions. These stories are ones of becoming family and self. I conclude with recommendations for further research and bioethical critique of access to medical care for trans populations, as well as resource redistribution and increased education and training for medical providers. 

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements ...........................................................................................................10

Reflexive Statement.......................................................................................................10

Abstract..............................................................................................................................13

Introduction .......................................................................................................................14

Background and Significance............................................................................................21

Purpose Statement .............................................................................................................24

Theoretical Models............................................................................................................26

Methodology......................................................................................................................29

Findings .............................................................................................................................37

“The Lines Are So Blurred”, Nina’s Story ....................................................................38

“Not Be A Footnote in His Headline”, Joyce’s Story ....................................................48

“If I was to have a gifted see-er”, Devin’s Story ...........................................................59

Becoming .......................................................................................................................71

Reproductive Health & Medical Services .....................................................................79

Discussion..........................................................................................................................84

Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 113

References .......................................................................................................................117

Appendix ........................................................................................................................122 

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Laney Graduate School
Department	Bioethics
Degree	M.A.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Ethics Health Sciences, Public Health GLBT Studies
Palabra Clave	Principlism Motherhood Women Reproductive Health Transgender
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	John Banja, Emory University
Committee Members	John Blevins, Emory University Sydney Spangler, Emory University

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