The Impact Of Education On The Lives Of Transgender Individuals: A Comprehensive Study

Abstract

Transgender individuals face a relentless battle for acceptance, often ostracized and ridiculed by society. They encounter severe stigma in nearly every aspect of their lives, including healthcare, education, employment, and access to social services and entitlements. This extreme social exclusion erodes their self-esteem and sense of social responsibility. In India, transgender individuals are recognized as a third gender by the Constitution. Despite this recognition, they face significant social and cultural exclusion, limiting their access to education, healthcare, and public spaces. Reports and discussions with the community and stakeholders indicate that transgender individuals often remain uneducated or undereducated, with most achieving only secondary or senior secondary levels of education. Enrolment rates are low, and dropout rates at primary and secondary levels remain high due to societal non-acceptance and daily harassment in educational institutions. This study emphasizes the multifaceted challenges faced by transsexual individuals in a rural tertiary care setting. While the completion of high school is a positive finding, further education and economic support are crucial for their advancement. Encouraging further education is a strategic intervention to help transsexual individuals overcome societal barriers and achieve greater personal and professional success.