The Impact of Socialization on Trans Youth

Hello, lovelies! Today’s article is quite a pretty serious one. Growing up as trans or gender fluid is a challenge in most parts of the world. Many of us know that first-hand. That’s why today I decided to come up with the impact of socialization on trans people. I’m sure you’ll relate to many of my thoughts below.

It’s a well-known fact that trans people face discrimination almost daily by the chauvinist society. This has a great impact on the mental health of victims and brings problems when it comes to socializing. Join me in this brief analysis on the subject and share your thoughts below!

1. Growing Up as a Non-Binary Kid

The exploration and expression of one’s gender begin very early in life. This starts even before sexuality comes into the scene and relates to any of the previous. Nonetheless, society tries to standardize gender roles, and when it doesn’t succeed causes great damage to individuals. These invisible scars condition the way these children will relate with others.

Kids will slowly adapt to what’s considered appropriate against their own will, knowing it or not. This silent and terrible crime is committed every day and the consequences are emotional immature kids. This prosecution delays the healthy development and self-discovery of infants. Schools and families are the principals responsible for this but they are not the only ones. We are all part of this society and for our well-being of it, we should address it whenever possible.

2. Facing Teenage for Trans Youth

Despite infancy can be problematic and confusing, it can’t even start to compare to the hardships of teenage years. This is because of many factors, including the notion of shame. One that we don’t possess in our first years. This is also a consequence of a media that overwhelms us with the traditional roles policy and its representation. In addition and as a result of this bigot propaganda, appears a general intolerance and phobia towards anyone outside the norm. Teenagers are quite at risk of suffering this to an extent beyond imagination. During this period of our lives, we form relationships and establish more or less how to maintain them healthily. In this phase we set up the bases of the persons we will be, but can’t be done without recognition from one’s pairs. In our emotional development, we must share experiences with others to discover and find ourselves.

Driven by a single-minded philosophy and unconscious of the power of their words and acts, teens can transform the school into hell. Socializing in an unwelcoming environment where discrimination is present undermines the social skills of the victims. This leads to a constant state of alertness and difficulties when interacting and relating with others. It can be the biggest obstacle to overcome to connect with other people. Cultivating a friendship or a love relationship becomes a path in which we must destroy the dam we built to keep ourselves safe. Every relationship goes through a rough patch, whether we want it or not. Non-binary individuals tend to be cautious to avoid getting hurt because of their past experiences. This leads to untaken chances and getting hurt by omission instead of putting themselves out there. Proper development of emotional intelligence is key in these early stages in life.

3. Triggering Health-Harming Behaviors

Pretty common in those that had gone through ostracization by their pairs, health-harming behaviors come in many forms. From cuts, substance abuse, or even suicide, society looks to the other side when faced with the consequences of their acts. This issue is one of the main problems that NGOs try to tackle. If you know of someone that is presenting this kind of behavior, you should seek immediate help to prevent it from scaling further.

Many trans and non-binary people find the strength to soldier on despite all this and reach a functional and happy lifestyle. As members of this community, I believe it is our moral obligation to assist anyone we see going through this dreadful situation. We can and should be part of the needed change of mentality. If you or somebody you know is going through a rough time, here you can find some helpful links in which you’ll find the support and contention needed for situations like these. We, most of all, know very well the dimension of the issue and how infants and innocent lives suffer this unnecessary torment.

As you may have experienced in your own skin, I think it is pretty clear that change comes from individuals doing their best in their microcosmos. We are still living in a world that not only punishes those outside the norm but also enforces taking no responsibility. It is unacceptable that in this day and age, people are hiding their beliefs and isolating their feelings. What are your thoughts regarding this? How do you think we can accompany kids and teens on their journeys at school and club? Please let me know in the comments below what you think!

Written by Tina Munova.