The Dialogical Self And Transgender Identity: Navigating Tensions Between I-Positions

Date of Award

5-2022

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology

First Advisor

Mira Alexis P. Ofreneo, PhD

Abstract

Transgender men refuse to surrender their identity even if it goes beyond heteronormativity, where gender is closely tied with biological features. They find themselves navigating a heteronormative society to honor their identity and protect themselves against marginalization. The Dialogical Self Theory (DST) by Hermans (2001) highlighted the different I-positions and forms of navigation of transgender men in a heteronormative society. The researcher interviewed five self-identifying transgender men, and data gathered from them was analyzed using Analysis of Multivoicedness by Aveling et al. (2015). The results presented two dominating I- positions of transgender men identifying as men and being forced to be women. These two positions led to an identity crisis to resist heteronormativity and the performance of femininity as protection among transgender against heteronormativity. Furthermore, the results also presented how the presence of queer and transgender communities helped transgender men to claim their authentic selves. Lastly, suggest gender-inclusive psychotherapy and parenting in trying to create a space that honors transgender identity.

Keywords: transgender identity, heteronormativity, dialogical self, identity crisis, performing femininity, gender-inclusive psychotherapy

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS