The development of non-binary gender identities – an example from the muxes of Juchitán de Zaragoza, Oaxaca, Mexico
(2019) PSYP01 20191Department of Psychology
- Abstract
- The growing complexity of the concept of gender highlights the importance for a deeper understanding of the diversity underlying this construct. Recent studies have shown large numbers of individuals experiencing non-conforming feelings with their sex assigned at birth, emphasising the need to gain a better understanding of gender identities outside the binary system, one of these being non-binary identities. A society in Juchitán de Zaragoza, a city in Oaxaca, a southern state of Mexico, has developed a gender system including four categories, one of them being muxes. Muxes are biologically male indigenous individuals, who identify with the feminine and female gender identity and are attracted to men, without necessarily rejecting their... (More)
- The growing complexity of the concept of gender highlights the importance for a deeper understanding of the diversity underlying this construct. Recent studies have shown large numbers of individuals experiencing non-conforming feelings with their sex assigned at birth, emphasising the need to gain a better understanding of gender identities outside the binary system, one of these being non-binary identities. A society in Juchitán de Zaragoza, a city in Oaxaca, a southern state of Mexico, has developed a gender system including four categories, one of them being muxes. Muxes are biologically male indigenous individuals, who identify with the feminine and female gender identity and are attracted to men, without necessarily rejecting their male sex. Conducting semi-structured interviews with individuals identifying as muxes, the present study aimed at achieving an in-depth perspective into the developmental process, possible perceived influencing variables, as well as positive factors experienced throughout this development. The data was analysed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. The sample size was N = 17, with a Mage = 35.8 and was composed of five muxe female transgender and 12 muxe non-binary. The results of this study indicated a strong diversity of gender identities within the muxe term, suggesting a fluidity, not only within concepts of identities but also of sexuality. Furthermore, the results revealed similar milestones experienced by transgender and transsexual identities assessed in previous studies, with differences between the muxe identity in the non-binary sense and the muxes assuming a transgender identity. The analysis furthermore highlighted that support systems, such as parents, friends and LGBTQ communities, as well as work, education and growing transphobia and homophobia was experienced as influencing the developmental process of this gender identity. Lastly the study revealed resilient behaviour throughout the developmental process among the interviewees, as well as experienced satisfaction and happiness with their lives and their gender identity. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/8994704
- author
- Pollinger, Johanna LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- PSYP01 20191
- year
- 2019
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- muxe, non-binary gender identity, transgender identity, developmental process, resilience, hardiness
- language
- English
- id
- 8994704
- date added to LUP
- 2019-09-16 17:07:30
- date last changed
- 2019-09-16 17:07:30
@misc{8994704,
abstract = {{The growing complexity of the concept of gender highlights the importance for a deeper understanding of the diversity underlying this construct. Recent studies have shown large numbers of individuals experiencing non-conforming feelings with their sex assigned at birth, emphasising the need to gain a better understanding of gender identities outside the binary system, one of these being non-binary identities. A society in Juchitán de Zaragoza, a city in Oaxaca, a southern state of Mexico, has developed a gender system including four categories, one of them being muxes. Muxes are biologically male indigenous individuals, who identify with the feminine and female gender identity and are attracted to men, without necessarily rejecting their male sex. Conducting semi-structured interviews with individuals identifying as muxes, the present study aimed at achieving an in-depth perspective into the developmental process, possible perceived influencing variables, as well as positive factors experienced throughout this development. The data was analysed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. The sample size was N = 17, with a Mage = 35.8 and was composed of five muxe female transgender and 12 muxe non-binary. The results of this study indicated a strong diversity of gender identities within the muxe term, suggesting a fluidity, not only within concepts of identities but also of sexuality. Furthermore, the results revealed similar milestones experienced by transgender and transsexual identities assessed in previous studies, with differences between the muxe identity in the non-binary sense and the muxes assuming a transgender identity. The analysis furthermore highlighted that support systems, such as parents, friends and LGBTQ communities, as well as work, education and growing transphobia and homophobia was experienced as influencing the developmental process of this gender identity. Lastly the study revealed resilient behaviour throughout the developmental process among the interviewees, as well as experienced satisfaction and happiness with their lives and their gender identity.}},
author = {{Pollinger, Johanna}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{The development of non-binary gender identities – an example from the muxes of Juchitán de Zaragoza, Oaxaca, Mexico}},
year = {{2019}},
}