Experiences with stigmatization among transgender individuals after transition: A qualitative study in the Netherlands

Abstract

Background: Transgender individuals belong to one of the most stigmatized groups in society. Although the social stigma of transgender individuals has been examined many times, post transition stigma experiences among transgender individuals have received limited research attention. The aim of this study was to examine experiences with stigmatization among Dutch transgender individuals after their transition.

Method: Ten trans women (age: M?=?58.50, SD?=?9.49) and 10 trans men (age: M?=?42.90, SD?=?13.62) participated in face-to-face semistructured interviews. Grounded theory was used to conceptualize and analyze the data. We examined the positive and negative reactions that transgender individuals experienced in the period after their transition. Furthermore, we explored differences between experiences of trans men and trans women. Finally, we examined differences between cisgender men and women regarding their reactions toward transgender individuals.

Results: Participants reported improved psychological well-being since transition. However, they still experienced different forms of stigmatization. Trans women appeared to experience stronger social stigma than trans men. Trans women also experienced lower social status after their transition. They mainly experienced negative responses from cisgender men. Participants emphasized the importance of social and peer support.

Conclusion: The current study findings demonstrate the presence of stigmatization after transition and argue for psychological aftercare. Social and peer support appeared to be important for coping with stigmatization, and improving the social network of transgender individuals is beneficial. Health providers and researchers are recommended to promote the development of constructive coping skills for transgender individuals with interventions especially targeting trans women.     

Young people and life in the city. The lessons of political sociology and of the patterns of socialization of young people

Faced with a considerable lack of interest in politics among the young, in spite of their precocious maturity, we must come to terms with the failure of over‐institutionalized practices. The way of integrating the young into democratic life must go through a dynamic approach, favoring associative processes so as better to take account of the real needs and the experience of the young.     

文化区与全球化:介于人类学、认识论和伦理学之间

在一个不断变化且往往像世界体系一样运行的世界中,沿着费尔南·布罗代尔《文明史纲》的传统坚持文化区进路,或者如塞缪尔·亨廷顿一样,将世界看作相互冲突的大型同质文化阵营组成的整体,[1]这些是否仍有意义呢?在尝试回答这个问题前,应该研究一下文化区这个概念的历史,之后再思考文化区的科学进路.     

Gustav Mensching

Gustav Mensching, Structure and patterns of religion, Translated from German into English by Hans F. Klemkeit and V. Srinivasa Sarma. Delhi, Varanasi, Patna: Motilal Banarsidass, 1976.Viii + 366 pp. Rs. 75.00