Need to Belong and Loneliness Amongst Transgender Community Due to Family Rejection

Abstract

Transgenders pay the price for a non-binary gender conformation in every walk of life including spending a life away from their family members. This study aims to assess an unexplored aspect of their mental health their need to belong and the loneliness they experience as the cost of their life choices. A qualitative research design was used. The sample of the present study was collected from transgenders N=4. Participants were selected through purposive sampling. Data was collected through in-depth interviews that consisted of semi-structured open-ended questions. To analyze the data thematic analysis technique was used. The findings of the research indicate that transgenders are mainly outcasted due to their professional choices. After spending a lifetime away from their loved ones, they now regret the reckless behavior they adopted in their youth. However, that does not justify the difficulties they face in the form of mocking, judgments and not being able to find a safe place to live. The trans-community has been found to play a positive role in the lives of the transgenders although the intercommunity conflicts are a part of their bond. Hence, the present study concludes that the unjust behavior on the part of society makes transgender individuals question where they belong and the loneliness prevails in their lives despite living amongst similar people. The only way out of this dilemma is through accepting the third gender as a normal part of this society.