Dissertation Defenses
Graduate Center for
Research and Retention
Have a Question?
Ask the Graduate
College at our new
email address:
GRAD-Info@wmich.edu
- Related Topics
- Main
List of Archives:
Dissertation Defenses - Current Dissertation Defenses
- Templates
for
formatting theses
& dissertations - WMU Academic Skills Center
- Word
Processing
and Editing Sources - Graduate
College
Financial Aid - Career
& Student
Employment Services - Research
& Service
Assistantships - Online
Application
Form
(Now payable by CC Online) - Office
of Student
Financial Aid - Graduate Catalog
Doctoral Dissertation Announcement
Candidate: Emily Lenning
Degree of:
Doctor of Philosophy
Department: Sociology
Title: This Journey is not for the Faint of Heart: An Investigation of Challenges Facing Transgender Individuals and their Significant Others
Committee:
Dr. Susan Caringella, Chair
Dr. David Hartmann
Dr. Ronald Kramer
Dr. Jamison Green
Date: Friday, March 14, 2008 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
2526 Sangren Hall
Abstract:
This study investigates the challenges imposed on transgender individuals and their significant others as a result of gender transition or nonconformity. Using web-based surveys and an on-line focus group, the themes of language and its limitations, psychological trauma, and social challenges are explored and analyzed using discourse analysis. With a total of 311 subjects, 254 transgender individuals and 57 significant others, this research challenges the utility of gendered language as it is currently constituted, addresses the importance of significant others in understanding traditional gender norms and the transgender experience, and identifies the various social, psychological and economic needs of transgender couples living in today’s world.