Jacqueline Kolowa, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, degree program in Social Service is looking for parents of color for a research interview that will discuss their challenges, and perspective while raising their queer children (age of 16 – 29) as well as their experiences and support systems.
To whom: You are eligible to be interviewed if you are a black parent or (person) parent of color (BPOC) of an individual who identifies themselves as queer (LGBTQI+) person.
Participants: Additionally, caregivers — such as uncles, aunts, grandparents, or older siblings — who have played a parental role in raising a queer child (as is sometimes necessary) can also be included as potential participants in the target group. Participants must have lived in Finland for one year or more.
Timetable: The interview will take approximately 1.5 hours and will be conducted in two sessions, at times that work best for you, between february and march 2025. It can be held remotely via Zoom or Teams, or in person, based on your preference. The interview will take the form of a recorded conversation, allowing you to share your experiences and challenges as much as you wish, along with some guided questions.
Interview: The interviews will be recorded and transcribed into text documents. The data collected will be used in my research, which examines the challenges, perceptions, and experiences of black parents and parents of color raising their queer children within Finnish society and within their own ethnic or cultural communities. When interviewed trans youngsters’ parent’s, family planner worker from Seta’s Gender diversity & intersex centre of expertise might participate. Interview language is English.
Thesis study: This research forms part of Metropolia University of Applied Sciences social sciences bachelor’s thesis and it aims to enhance understanding of the unique experiences and challenges faced by these parents.
The findings can help promote more inclusive and equitable academic practices and contribute to the development of better support systems. The data and information collected during the study will be securely stored and handled in compliance with legal requirements, including obtaining informed consent. The collected data from interviews will only be used for the purpose of this thesis. Interview language is English.
Safety of the participants: The study findings will be presented in a way that ensures individual participants remain anonymous and cannot be identified. Taking part in the interview is voluntary, and participants may withdraw from the study at any time. No compensation will be provided for participation in the study. I hope you will have the chance and interest to take part in the interview. In this study, we aim to work with knowledge of understanding minority sensitivity and safe space practices.
Contact: I would be happy to share more details about the interviews and how they will be conducted. You can reach out by email. If preferred, we can also arrange a brief meeting via Teams. Reaching out or meeting with me does not obligate you to participate in the study. Contact: Jacqueline Kolowa, jacqueline.kolowa@metropolia.fi,