The transitioning experiences of trans men : implications for policy and service development

• Main Author: Atnas, Catherine
• Published: University of Surrey 2012
• Subjects: 306.768
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.576114

Introduction: gender dysphoria causes much distress and confusion. Some individuals who experience this are known as transgender (trans), an umbrella term describing individuals who identify their gender as different from the sex assigned to them at birth. With the growing prevalence of gender dysphoria in the UK, policy makers and service providers require up-to-date information about the needs of individuals affected by this, especially about trans men as research about their specific needs is sparse. This study aims to develop a better understanding of the transitioning experiences of trans men, individuals who were assigned a female sex at birth but experiences their gender as male in order to support the development of policies and services to meet their specific needs. Method: semi-structured interviews were employed to collect data from eleven trans men and analysed using a constructionist grounded theory approach. Results: the theory generated suggests that that trans men experience the process of transitioning as complex, and that making the decision to change is influenced by a desire to achieve a sense of authenticity as they feel they have been pretending to be someone they are not, trying to fit into the social roles expected of them. Additionally, having the information and knowledge in order to support making such a decision is vital as this enables individuals to discover who they are and that transitioning is possible. Discussion: the theory shares much commonality with pre-existing theories of transgender identity formation and transitioning, and was integrated with these theories to offer a deeper understanding of individuals' experiences. The findings suggest the need for more flexible treatment approaches that take into consideration individual needs. Future research into the experiences of less accessible trans men would be helpful in identifying possible coping strategies and barriers to help-seeking.