Menu Expand
Straight Expectations

Straight Expectations

Peggy Cryden, LMFT | Janet E. Goldstein-Ball, LMFT

(2017)

Additional Information

Abstract

Ever since they were young, Peggy Cryden noticed her children's gender expression did not correspond with society's expectations of their biological gender. In this moving and honest memoir, Peggy details the experiences and challenges of raising both a gay son and a gay, transgender son and shares her family's journey of adversity and growth, which has helped inform her work as a psychotherapist.

Beginning with her own unconventional upbringing and personal relationships, the second half of the book follows her children from birth to adulthood and through their numerous experiences including coming out, depression, hate crime, relationships, school and various aspects to do with transitioning (legal, physical, medical, social) as well as their appearances in the media as a family. This book is insightful, charming and thought-provoking, and through levity and humour, offers a positive approach to parenting outside of convention.


Cryden writes with the emotional clarity of a seasoned therapist and also as one who's done her own soul searching.
Ami B. Kaplan, LCSW New York City Psychotherapist and Gender Specialist.

Peggy Cryden, LMFT specialises in ADHD, gender identity, sexual orientation and interpersonal relationships. Peggy and her son Jake co-founded the non-profit organisation Trans United with Family & Friends (TUFF) to provide financial assistance to transgender and gender variant individuals.

Janet Goldstein-Ball, LMFT has a private psychotherapy practice in Los Angeles, California, where she specialises in eating disorders, at-risk adolescents, substance abuse, and working with creative professionals. Janet also works in a hospital out-patient program and is a co-founder and board member of the Valley Federation of Eating Disorder Professionals (VFFD).

Table of Contents

Section Title Page Action Price
Editor’s note 9
Preface 11
1. The Green Room (September 2007) 17
2. Raised by Wolves (Early 1960s) 21
3. Saved by \nthe Belles (Early 1960s-1974) 35
4. The Good Daughter (1974-1985) 45
5. Trick or Treat (1985-1990) 53
6. It’s a Girl! (1990) 65
7. The First Two Years (1990-1992) 71
8. And Then There Were Two (1992) 77
9. Dancing to a Different Beat (1993-2000) 83
10. Can Get through This (1998-2001) 89
11. Life Derails (2002) 97
12. I Hope You’ll Still Love Me after I Tell You This… (2002-2004) 101
13. The Transition (2004-2006) 109
14. A Darker Turn (2006-2007) 117
15. In the Spotlight (2007) 123
16. The Red Carpet (2008) 131
17. What about Him? (2006-2008) 135
18. Loss of the \nMani-Pedi Dream (2008) 141
19. On the Mend (2009) 147
20. Let’s Talk Shop (2005-Present Day) 153
21. You Just Have to Laugh (2008-2014) 161
22. The Zen of Ducks (2014-Present Day) 171
Further Reading 179
Resources 181
Blank Page