Transphobia: Its 7 Personal And Social Consequences
In today’s society, trans people see their rights and historical demands increasingly recognized; rights that the LGTBI+ movement has been fighting for for decades.
Now, although Western societies are increasingly integrating trans people into each and every area of daily life, there is still a lot of work to do due to transphobia or discrimination towards the trans community. In this sense, here we will a review of the main consequences that transphobia has on people and society in general
Transphobia is the hatred that some people feel towards the trans community, and this can manifest itself in multiple ways: whether in the form of violence, discrimination, rejection, isolation, misunderstanding, insults, lack of acceptance and respect or behaviors of all kinds. openly contrary to the collective.
To learn more about what the phenomenon of transphobia consists of, in today’s article we will briefly present the main personal and social consequences that transphobia can have on trans people, within Western societies.
1. Labor discrimination
The employment discrimination suffered by trans people is one of the most relevant aspects when it comes to explaining the vulnerable situation of this group; In Spain, it is estimated that approximately 80% of these people are unemployed and that it takes an average of three years to find work.
Discrimination in the health field occurs when health professionals do not correctly attend to the health needs of trans people, either due to ignorance of their reality or due to explicit transphobia
This means denying them a fundamental right that every human being deserves and generally, this discrimination occurs due to a lack of interest in understanding the type of problems that trans people typically experience, or due to a denial of these as they are considered whims or inventions.
3. Difficulty finding housing
Discrimination when it comes to finding housing is also a classic in the lives of many trans people who see daily how due to their condition are denied access to rent a place to live
Currently, there are still many landlords who have great prejudices against trans people, and it is precisely this transphobia that prevents many trans people from freely renting an apartment and living their lives normally.
4. Bullying or bullying
Another of the social consequences to which trans people are doomed is an increased risk of bullying or harassment at school during primary, secondary or high school education.
Both the lack of acceptance and discrimination by classmates against trans people who may be in the classroom end up causing all types of violence, both physical and psychological, towards that person or those in particular.
5. Social rejection, street harassment and direct violence
Social rejection is one of the constant experiences that trans people have experienced over the years and currently this is also one of the most obvious consequences of transphobic societies.
It is often the case that trans people They do not have social support networks to turn to when they have a problem and that they do not find people or institutions that provide them with the support they so desperately need in the face of gender discrimination.
In our surrounding countries, it is very common for street attacks or assaults on trans people from time to time to occur for the mere fact of being trans, a hate crime motivated by the transphobia of some citizens.
According to statistics, in most countries, trans people are more likely to suffer street violence or harassment at some point in their lives, as well as to be murdered or commit suicide.
6. Hypervigilance
Hypervigilance is the tendency that some trans people develop to be permanently vigilant towards negative reactions and discrimination from people around you
This constant surveillance generates constant states of permanent stress and anxiety in people, which directly affects their emotional well-being and mental health.
7. Internalized transphobia
Living in a society where transphobia prevails also causes trans people to internalize many of the transphobic ideas, values or behaviors shared socially.
This phenomenon is a social mechanism that is acquired unconsciously and that affects both trans and cis people. In the case of trans people, The internalization of transphobia ends up causing the person to hate their body hates herself and other trans people around her.
You may be interested: “Homophobia, transphobia and biphobia: understanding these forms of discrimination”
The importance of taking care of mental health in the face of transphobia
Due to the complications derived from transphobia and discrimination, statistically, trans people are more exposed to the possibility of developing psychological disorders such as depression or anxiety disorders.
And the social transphobia that trans people face daily can cause the appearance of problems of anxiety, depression, stress, eating disorders, a greater likelihood of drug use and a greater risk of suicide or suicidal behavior. .
In this sense, It is important to seek psychotherapeutic help at the first signs that mental health is being left in a vulnerable situation. If you are looking for psychotherapy services, contact me.
