A new wave of research and expert insight is putting the spotlight on parental influence as a key factor in raising confident, resilient children in today’s climate of cultural confusion over gender and identity. Recent commentary by an educational psychologist and child development expert, featured in a July 2025 WORLD Radio podcast, underscores that parents play a far greater role than often believed in helping their children navigate questions about identity, belonging, and self-worth, even as external voices grow louder and more complex (wng.org).
In an age when discussions about gender identity and childhood development are everywhere—on social media, in music, and in schools—many Thai parents face uncertainty about how to communicate with their children on these topics. This issue has deep resonance in Thai society, where traditional family roles and contemporary influences often clash, particularly for younger generations who spend increasing time online and may encounter conflicting messages about gender and self-acceptance from both Thai and global pop culture. New research and expert guidance, such as that from the recent podcast interview, provide practical frameworks for parents aiming to raise children with inner confidence and robust emotional health.
The discussion centers on findings and frameworks from the book “Raising Gender-Confident Kids: Helping Kids Embrace Their God-Given Design,” co-authored by an educational psychologist with extensive experience in child development and biblical parenting. She reveals in the podcast that, from her perspective, parents are not powerless in the face of shifting cultural tides. Instead, she stresses, “Parents have more influence than they think,” a message that resonates powerfully with Thai families navigating rapidly evolving social environments.
Drawing from both personal experience and empirical research, the expert explains how subtle personal traits—such as her own low-pitched voice—might prompt questions about identity in today’s cultural context, when in previous generations, such traits would have been viewed as harmless differences. She warns that children today are exposed to a cacophony of external voices, including those on social media and in peer groups, that may encourage premature or unwarranted doubts about their core identity. This environment, she notes, increases the need for intentional, confident parenting: “Our culture is loud … and I think the liar is loud. There’s any number of places where [children] could have found answers and … might have been affirmed” in questioning their identity, she says, emphasizing the importance of clarity and compassion from caregivers (wng.org).
Central to the book—and highlighted in the interview—are five core psychological and developmental needs for healthy identity formation in children: security, identity, belonging, purpose, and competence. These pillars are drawn from both research and clinical observation, and offer practical touchpoints for parents:
- Security (“Who can I trust?”): Children must feel safe with the adults in their lives, able to ask questions and express uncertainty without fear. Thai cultural practice often emphasizes the role of parental authority, yet the expert recommends balancing respect with availability and open communication, urging parents to apologize and seek forgiveness when needed.
- Identity (“Who am I?”): Beyond surface labels, children need a deep, holistic sense of who they are—emotionally, physically, socially, spiritually, and intellectually. The expert suggests, “They need to know who God says they are so that they can hear the liar in social media, in the lyrics they listen to, et cetera.” For Buddhist-majority Thai families, this principle may be translated into a focus on inner virtue and moral identity.
- Belonging (“Who wants me?”): Isolation drives many young people to question their gender or pursue acceptance in potentially unhealthy ways. Building strong connections at home, within local communities, and among peers is seen as essential, echoing the Thai value of “samakhom” (สมาคม)—the importance of harmonious group belonging.
- Purpose (“Why am I alive?”): Children who have a sense of purpose are more likely to thrive and less likely to struggle with apathy or suicidal ideation. Guidance from parents and respected elders, including monks and teachers, can help set this vision, aligning with traditional Thai teachings on family duty and societal contribution.
- Competence (“What do I do well?”): True self-worth grows from achievement and mastery, not just participation. The framework stresses that competence is not possible without fulfilling the preceding needs—security, identity, belonging, and purpose.
These findings have direct implications for Thai parents, educators, and policymakers. With Thai youth facing high rates of depression, bullying, and family fragmentation—problems documented in research from Chulalongkorn University and the Ministry of Public Health (Ministry of Public Health), and exacerbated by the pressures of national exams and university entrance (Bangkok Post), experts believe this holistic, connection-driven approach can help turn the tide.
While Thailand is renowned for its family cohesion, questions about gender and identity are taking on new prominence, particularly as children interact with Western media and globalized internet culture. This can create friction, especially within families that strongly value traditional gender roles. Yet, as the expert from the podcast notes, embracing discomfort—rather than fleeing it or silencing it—is a vital lesson for developing resilience. “Help your children handle being uncomfortable. Help them learn that being uncomfortable in a season is reality. You can’t run from it. You can’t hide from it. You live through it and walk through it … Let’s help kids handle being uncomfortable and let’s be available to their concerns and let’s help them acknowledge when they’re improving,” she advises.
Psychologists and child development experts in Thailand agree that open, receptive parenting that avoids premature labeling or rigid expectations can help children explore and ultimately accept their developing selves. At the same time, they caution against a one-size-fits-all approach, noting that Thai children are shaped by a unique mix of Buddhist values, filial piety, and evolving attitudes towards gender and sexuality (The Nation Thailand). For instance, the increasing visibility of LGBTQ+ identities in public life and media—including prominent Thai “toms,” “dees,” and “ladyboys”—has prompted many Thai families to face questions once left unspoken.
However, experts argue that simply affirming every childhood feeling or preference can be risky. Instead, they advocate for a patient, guiding presence. “When you help them discover their gifting … you give them a vision for competence, you give them a vision for purpose, and now they wanna live long and be strong and figure out how life works,” says the expert. This aligns closely with Buddhist ideas of “sati” (mindfulness) and “khanti” (patience) as key mental virtues for weathering the storms of adolescence.
The debate over how best to support children wrestling with questions of gender identity remains heated worldwide, touching on issues of individual rights, mental health, and cultural values. Leading pediatric associations in the West increasingly support affirming care and gender exploration (American Academy of Pediatrics), while some Asian educators and psychologists highlight the role of prolonged observation and dialogue.
A 2023 study in the Thai Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that nearly one in five Thai adolescents reported identity-related confusion, often exacerbated by cyberbullying or lack of adult guidance (Thai Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry). Thai mental health professionals recommend that parents:
- Create intentional conversations in safe, supportive environments—such as family meals or temple visits
- Affirm the child’s value regardless of gender expression, while avoiding pressure to prematurely ‘label’ their feelings
- Model healthy ways of working through discomfort, uncertainty, or peer pressure
- Educate themselves about the changing landscape of gender and youth mental health
- Seek help from school counselors, monks, or psychologists if unsure how to proceed
This advice mirrors the key findings from the latest global and local research: that confident, secure children are shaped above all by relationships, not by external trends or fleeting cultural fashions. Thai parents, teachers, and community leaders who proactively foster the five pillars of security, identity, belonging, purpose, and competence can help the next generation stand firm—even as the culture shifts around them.
Looking ahead, experts expect that ongoing social changes and the spread of digital culture will further complicate the landscape for Thai families. The prevalence of mobile devices, online gaming, and social platforms amplifies both the risks and the opportunities for young people forming their sense of self. In response, Thai Ministries of Education and Public Health are exploring partnerships with local NGOs and universities to update school curricula, provide additional mental health resources, and launch public awareness campaigns focusing on resilience and emotional well-being (Ministry of Education, WHO Thailand).
In practical terms, the call to action for Thai parents is twofold: deepen relational connections with your children, and educate yourself about the complex realities they face. Initiate regular check-ins using open-ended questions. Celebrate progress and effort, not just outcomes. Model self-respect, adaptability, and humility in your own life. Reach out to teachers, guidance counselors, or local psychologists if you sense your child is struggling. And, uniquely in the Thai context, consider bringing the wisdom of local Buddhist monks, respected community leaders, or family elders into these conversations to anchor your guidance in shared cultural values.
Ultimately, while the expert’s approach in the featured podcast is shaped by a Christian worldview, the underlying principles of warmth, dialogue, patience, and unconditional acceptance are deeply compatible with Thai traditions. As parents strive to raise children with confidence and clarity in a fast-changing world, these time-tested tools and relationships remain Thailand’s strongest shield against confusion, loneliness, and self-doubt.