affirming

Affirming is the act of expressing support, validation, or confirmation of a person’s identity, experiences, or emotions. It is also used as an adjective to describe practices, statements, or environments that validate and respect those identities or experiences.

The term derives from the verb affirm, from Latin affirmare, meaning to strengthen or confirm. In common usage, affirming can refer to both interpersonal communication and formal practices that acknowledge and honor what a person believes, feels, or identifies as.

In professional contexts, affirming approaches validate clients’ identities and experiences. In health and social services, gender-affirming care and affirming therapy aim to align care with a person’s self-identified identity and experiences. These practices are associated with greater engagement with services and improved well-being in many settings, though implementation can vary by field and region.

In education and parenting, affirming communication recognizes and validates children’s or students’ experiences, helps build trust, and fosters inclusive environments. Examples include using a person’s preferred name and pronouns, acknowledging their feelings, and avoiding dismissive language.

In everyday language, affirming describes statements or actions that reinforce or support a point, goal, or identity. The term is widely used across disciplines to denote validation, encouragement, and respectful acknowledgment of a person’s lived reality. See also affirmation, validation, gender-affirming care, and positive psychology.