Page No , 429-438
Anna Khursheed Qadri and Anjali Midha
G.D. Goenka University, Gurgaon
This study examines the experiences of transgender children in India, focusing on their
gender expression and its impact on psychological well-being. Despite growing
awareness of transgender issues in the country, many transgender youths continue to
face significant challenges, including social stigma, discrimination, and mental health
difficulties. Employing a qualitative approach using Interpretative Phenomenological
Analysis (IPA), interviews were conducted with eight transgender children, aged 10 to
17, from varied caste and socio-economic backgrounds. The findings indicate that
transgender youth modify their gender expression based on different social contexts,
with caste and socio-economic factors playing a crucial role in shaping their access to
affirming resources. Additionally, family acceptance and social validation were identified
as key elements in promoting self-esteem and mitigating dysphoria. These insights
highlight the importance of intersectional strategies that consider both social and
economic barriers in supporting the well-being of transgender children in India