The Resocialization Process of Transgender Men in Mashhad
Subject Areas : Research on Iranian social issuesmajid fouladian 1 , Amirarad Gharavol 2 , fatemeh derakhshanfar 3
1 - Associate Professor of Department of Social Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran.
2 - M.A Student in Social Science Research, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran.
3 - M.A. student in Social Science Research, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran.
Keywords: Transgender, gender identity, primary socialization, resocialization, re-socialization.,
Abstract :
The Resocialization Process of
Transgender Men in Mashhad
Majid Fouladiyan*
Amirarad Gharavol **
Fatemeh Derakhshanfar***
This research examines the resocialization process of transgender men in Mashhad. Resocialization refers to the process through which an individual, whose identity, role, or social status has fundamentally changed, attempts to redefine their societal position by adopting new values and norms. In other words, individuals seek social adaptation to align with existing culture and gain recognition. However, transgender individuals often face challenges in adapting to primary groups such as family, school, and other social sectors. They reconstruct their emotional systems, roles, and social identities and alter their physical appearance to align with their established identity. This concept is particularly significant in the context of transgender men, whose gender identity does not align with their biological characteristics. Due to social, cultural, and institutional resistance, transgender men often face a challenging path toward self-acceptance and reintegration into society. This research aims to analyze the stages and challenges of this process and identify the factors influencing it. The focus on Mashhad provides a unique context for examining this issue, given its specific cultural and religious environment.
Keywords: Transgender, gender identity, primary socialization, resocialization, re-socialization.
Research Methodology
This research was conducted using a qualitative approach and thematic analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted between April and August 2024. The participants included 14 transgender men, aged 22 to 30, who had undergone gender reassignment surgery and resided in Mashhad. Participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling methods. Inclusion criteria included being a transgender man, having undergone gender reassignment surgery, living in Khorasan Razavi, and willingness to participate in the study. The interviews were semi-structured, with durations ranging from three to seven hours. Questions began generally and were refined based on the responses of interviewees. The collected data were coded and categorized into main and sub-themes.
Research Findings
The research findings highlight several factors influencing the resocialization process of transgender men in Mashhad. Key factors include age, place of residence, education level, family interaction, access to virtual spaces, and pre-transition emotional and sexual relationships. These factors can either accelerate or delay the resocialization process. Transgender men face challenges such as family and societal rejection, social ostracism, and discriminatory encounters, which may lead to feelings of isolation and insecurity. The resocialization process can be outlined in the following stages:
- Primary Socialization (Feminine Socialization): This is the process by which children learn gender norms, values, and roles that are consistent with their biological sex through family and educational institutions.
- Recognition of Gender Role Distinctions: During this stage, transgender individuals become aware of the differences between socially expected roles based on biological sex and their true gender identity. This process often begins in childhood or adolescence and is commonly associated with dissatisfaction with imposed social roles and identity conflict.
- Emotional/Sexual Turmoil: This turmoil usually begins in late childhood or early adolescence when individuals begin to understand their emotional and sexual identities.
- Recognition of True Identity: This stage involves recognizing one’s true identity, which is influenced by social, cultural, and informational factors.
- Escape from Primary Socialization: After recognizing their true identity, transgender individuals resist the gender norms learned during primary socialization.
- Struggle/Rejection/Acknowledgment: In resocialization, lack of acceptance from family and close friends often manifests as social rejection.
- Male Identity Formation: In this phase, transgender men strive to complete their male identity formation by making changes such as shortening their hair, adopting a nickname, adopting male clothing styles, engaging in non-feminine behaviors, smoking, and physically simulating masculinity.
- Acceptance from Significant Others (Family/Friends/Work Environment): Acceptance from family members, friends, and work environments is considered a crucial stage in the resocialization process for transgender individuals.
Discussion and Conclusion
The findings indicate that once a transgender individual becomes aware of their true gender identity, several factors influence the formation and completion of that identity. These factors include constructive interactions with family members before gender transition, the quantity and quality of emotional and sexual relationships, and acceptance or rejection by significant others. Among these, emotional-sexual relationships emerged as the most critical factor. When a transgender person can affirm their belonging to another gender through emotional or sexual attraction to the opposite sex, others must also accept and validate this significant shift. To achieve this, transgender individuals actively take on prominent roles in social contexts.
This study identified eight stages in the resocialization process of transgender individuals, each aligning with previous theories and research. In childhood, transgender individuals are socialized according to their biological sex, aligning with Destranj's (2013) findings on the influence of family economic and cultural factors and the theories of Reisman and de Beauvoir on the role of social institutions in shaping gender identity. As they recognize the differences between gender roles, dissatisfaction arises with roles aligned with their biological sex, which correlates with the findings of Abedini and Sepehrnia (2015) regarding the impact of socialization styles on the perception of gender identity. Consequently, individuals experience turmoil in relationships and identity due to the mismatch between their identity and biological sex. These findings align with research by Farahmand and Danafar (2017), Yaghoubi Choubari and Saeedi (2020), and Khalili et al. (2022), which examined the turmoil caused by negative judgments and stereotypes, as well as Herbert Mead’s theory on identity conflict. Subsequently, through media and friends, they understand the concept of being transgender and achieve relative identity stability. They then distance themselves from the norms associated with their biological sex and resist primary socialization, a stage that relates to Goffman’s theory on managing social impressions and role performance. During this process, transgender individuals experience rejection or acceptance from significant others. The findings in this area align with studies by Movahhed and Hosseinzadeh (2012), Alirezanajad et al. (2016), and Valadbeigi et al. (2022), which address social rejection and its consequences, as well as Goffman’s theory of identity vulnerability in social interactions. To reinforce their new identity, transgender individuals undertake actions such as cutting their hair, using nicknames, and altering their style, which aligns with Garfinkel's theory on gender construction and performativity, as well as Kate Millett's theory on patriarchal ideology. Finally, acceptance by significant others, such as romantic partners, plays a crucial role in completing the resocialization process. This stage aligns with the research of Fouladian and Baradaran (2018), which confirms the role of romantic relationships in the development of transgender identity. In conclusion, this research demonstrates that the resocialization process of transgender individuals involves numerous challenges, with social acceptance by significant others playing a key role in stabilizing their new identity.
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* Corresponding Author: Associate Professor of Department of Social Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran.
** M.A Student in Social Science Research, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran.
*** M.A. student in Social Science Research, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran.
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