Trans men and friendships: A Foucauldian discourse analysis
Journal article
Zitz, C., Burns, J. and Tacconelli, E. 2013. Trans men and friendships: A Foucauldian discourse analysis. Feminism and Psychology. 24 (2), pp. 216-237. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959353514526224
Authors | Zitz, C., Burns, J. and Tacconelli, E. |
---|---|
Abstract | While research focusing on friendships of sexual minority individuals has increased over the last two decades, studies of transgender persons’ friendships have been largely absent. Yet, within mainstream literature it has been demonstrated that friendships are central both to identity formation and as support in terms of psychological need and distress. Given that trans people face important identity challenges and may well be disenfranchised within society the role of friendships warrants study. Research which has occurred has largely focussed on trans women, yet trans men face particular issues in terms of their relationships with lesbian women and being positioned as joining patriarchy. This study explored this gap in the literature and used Foucauldian discourse analysis to explore friendship and gender identity. Dominant discourses identified included ‘friends as family’, ‘romance’ and discursive practices of ‘disowning male privilege’, ‘effeminate heterosexual male’ and ‘gender fluidity’ which counter hegemonic (trans) male re-positioning within friendships. The results indicate that trans men elevate the status of friends to those of other culturally dominant relationships (e.g. family or sexual partner). Furthermore, their friendships, in particular friendships with lesbian women, can become complex platforms from which to contest privilege and power associated with their (trans) masculinities. Conceptual and research implications are discussed. |
Keywords | Gender; Identity; Transgender; Friendship; Masculinity; Discourse analysis |
Year | 2013 |
Journal | Feminism and Psychology |
Journal citation | 24 (2), pp. 216-237 |
Publisher | SAGE |
ISSN | 0959-3535 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1177/0959353514526224 |
Publication process dates | |
Deposited | 28 Nov 2014 |
Accepted | 06 Dec 2013 |
Accepted author manuscript | |
Output status | Published |
https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/872x0/trans-men-and-friendships-a-foucauldian-discourse-analysis
Download files
155
total views540
total downloads6
views this month3
downloads this month