06 Attitudes towards Transgender: A Study of Gender and Influencing Factors

Abstract

This study was initiated with the purpose of confirming the gender differences in attitudes towards transgender along with focusing on the factors that can influence religiosity and interaction with transgender. Sample was selected from university students of Islamabad and Rawalpindi (N=300); using the Urdu translation of “Attitude towards transwomen scale” (Jami, 2013) and its adapted version i.e. Attitude towards transmen scale. The study confirms that factors such as interaction with transgender and religiosity influence the attitudes towards MtF or FtM transgender. Religiosity was associated with decrease in acceptance of transgender; and increase in interaction with transgender was associated with increase in acceptance and decrease in negative attitudes. This research has potential for a wide range of implications from increased understanding of nature and manifestations of gender related attitudes as well as practical methods that can be employed to reduce negative attitudes and prejudices in our society.