Therian Guide's page for parents of Therians

One thing that we've noticed in our community is a disconnect between many therians and their parents based on misunderstanding of what it means to be a therian.

Most people discover therianthropy around their early teenage years. For those amongst us who are therians, this may be a confusing time of self-discovery. This guide provides you with a resource to help prepare you for what to expect, if your child is a therian.

Please remember that while we have tried to address the most common issues that may arise between parent and child, we maintain that there is no substitute for opening up a trusting and direct line of communication with your child about how they might feel and why.

Q: What does it mean if my child believes they are a therian?

A: To be a Therian is to identify as a non-human animal. Therians usually notice something about them that is not quite human and is more animal-like.

Therians generally lead normal lives, but understanding the animal side of us, helps us understand ourselves and manage stress. We do not know what causes therianthropy, but it is not a belief or religion. Most of us feel like we were born this way. Therians are of all corners of the world and walks of life.


Q: Will therianthropy have an impact on my child's religion or the religious or spiritual beliefs of my family?

A: No. Therianthropy need not and usually does not affect or alter one's religious or spiritual bearing.

While some therians do attribute their identity to spiritual reasons, therianthropy in itself is not spiritual or religious and, in fact, many therians continue to worship and maintain their religious beliefs past the point of discovering their non-human identities.


Q: Is this normal for a child this young?

A: Most therians discover or try on their therian identity around the ages 10 to 16, if they have a chance to learn about therianthropy. Some people only learn about therianthropy later in life.


Q: Is this just a phase?

A: It is common for young teens to explore who they are and where they belong in the world, through trying on different identities. Some try on a therian identity, but then move on.

A rare few however find that being Therian is something they've always been inside and is something that defines them. For them, this is more than just a phase.


Q: Is my child's therianthropy a disabling condition?

A: No. Therianthropy is an identity phenomenon that causes no distress to those who exhibit it and therefore is not disabling, limiting or otherwise harmful to your child. One somewhat common trait amongst therians is the feeling of species dysphoria, which is a feeling that their body, environment or way of living is something other than what it should be has the potential of being distressful but these feelings are usually fleeting and can often be resolved or alleviated by minor changes in environmental factors.

While species dysphoria is common, it should be noted that not all therians experience it. The best way to mitigate feelings of species dysphoria is to talk with your child about what they feel and what improvements could be made, if any.


Q: Will being a therian inhibit my child from living a successful life as an independent adult?

A: Most certainly not. Therians come from all walks of life and some of us have lived very rich and fulfilling lives. We are doctors, nurses, teachers, military, working professionals, and honor students, to name a few.

By no means will therianthropy inhibit your child's growth or development in any shape, form or fashion.


Q: Will my child have any special needs or requests that a non-therian would not?

A: The best thing to do is to talk with your child and ask them. They may have a preference to run outside or visit wooded areas or go swimming but these are all things that can be incorporated into most family's lives. As far as needs go, the most paramount need that a therian child has is for parents who are willing to communicate with them and try to understand and accept them for who and what they are.


Q: Is therianthropy a gender or sexual orientation issue?

A: No. Therianthropy is a species identity phenomenon and should not be confused with gender or sexual orientation issues.


Q: Will there be grandkids if my child thinks they're a therian?

A: Many therians who are old enough to do so, have children. It is a personal decision that therianthropy has no bearing on.

Partners are generally accepting of one's therianthropy once they understand what it is. As your child gets older, their desire to show off their therianthropy might fade, therefore some therians simply never tell their partners that they are therians, or only do so long after the relationship has become permanent.


Q: What would my child participate in if they joined Therian Guide's community forums?

A: The Therian Guide community is based on an Internet forum and a chatroom, where questions can be posed and are answered. Your child must be at least 13 years old to join, otherwise they will be limited to only reading public posts and not interacting with the other members.

Most of our members are young people who are discovering their therianthropy, but there are also older members who are here to share their experience and dispel misconceptions. There is even the occasional scientist. The staff ensures that the environment is safe for young people. The community is family-like and is generally supportive.

Although the community features many young people, you are more than welcome to join yourself and ask any questions you might have.


Q: I saw you accept donations and do you ask our children for money?

A: We don't expect any donations from your children. The system of donations is intended to accept contributions from our older members who have jobs, and is used to reward the more active contributors in our community, by giving them some control over the funds.

We support many animal-related charities. Your child may gain access to physical merchandise and other goodies that we don't charge money for.


Thank you for reading.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us via email, Facebook, the forums or whatever other means you find convenient.