The two-part Keeping Up With the Kardashians: About Bruce special documentary series is about a lot more than Bruce's journey to becoming a woman.
The television show importantly highlights that when it comes to transitioning, family reactions and emotions can cover a range of anger, confusion, acceptance, and encouragement.
Many transgender people find that transitioning is not just a process for them, but also their spouses, families and friends, according to Jay Brown, a research and public education director for the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
There is no exact or definite road map for transgender children or parents to track when informing family relatives about their true gender identity, Brown said.
The special series aired three weeks after his interview with Diane Sawyer — which almost 17 million viewers tuned in to watch. Jenner clarified that he hopes by sharing his passionate journey, he can support other families going through similar experiences.
"Families of transgender people often feel they need to grieve the loss of the person that they thought they know," Jenner said in the first episode. "My family's feelings are included here in the hope that other families will know that they are not alone, and to show that families move on from this grief."
The two-part special, which was broadcast over Sunday and Monday night, showcases the difficulties of family members struggling to accept a part of Jenner that he has known for years, but is new to them.
Kris Jenner, his former wife, described how confused she was in the second episode of the series on Monday night. "You shut me out a long time ago. You were angry which made me angry," Kris said, as they were having a conversation in the kitchen. She acknowledged that he had always been more comfortable wearing women's clothing, but that she knew nothing more. "That's the only thing I experienced with you, Bruce," she added.
Kris said she feels like she will have to lament the loss of her old spouse. "I feel like you died, like Bruce died," Kris whispered in tears.
Bruce, 65, then asked, "Is there anything I can do now to make it better for you?" to which Kris replied, "Just live the happiest life you can live. That's all I care about."
Bruce was very emotional talking about his transition with his daughters.
"My biggest fear about meeting her for the first time is just I think my reaction. I'm very facially expressive," Khloé Kardashian, 30, warned. "I don't want to do anything offensive that would hurt her feelings."
In the initial part of the series, Kendall Jenner, 19, remembered her discovery of her father's makeup around their residence with her 17-year old sister Kylie Jenner.
The girls mistakenly assumed the feminine items belonged to a mistress of their father Bruce and chose to stay discreet about it.
Meanwhile, North West who will be turning 2 this June, and 2.5-year-old Penelope and 5-month-old Reign Disick are all too young to understand the transitioning of their grandfather — but Kourtney Kardashian said she believes her son Mason, 5, is more mindful of the situation than his parents appreciate.
