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Doing gender and being gendered through occupation: Transgender and non-binary experiences
Rebecca Swenson1, Pam Alldred2, Lindsey Nicholls3
1School of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University, London, UK.
The British Journal of Occupational Therapy
|May 8, 2025
Summary
Occupational experiences for transgender and non-binary individuals can either reinforce gender binaries or allow for authentic self-expression. Navigating these occupations is key for their well-being and recognition.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Occupational Science
- Gender Studies
Background:
- Transgender individuals face discrimination impacting occupational experiences.
- Research on transgender experiences is emerging, but non-binary experiences remain under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore occupational experiences of transgender and non-binary individuals.
- To examine the relationship between gender expression and occupational engagement.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving five transgender and non-binary participants.
- Repeat interviews, including 'walking interviews', were conducted.
- Analysis was informed by new materialism.
Main Results:
- Occupational engagement can either uphold gender binaries or enable creative gender expression.
- Occupational participation may lead to assimilation, especially for non-binary individuals in normative settings.
- Certain occupations facilitated emancipation from gender norms through self-expression, leading to recognition and belonging.
Conclusions:
- Occupational assimilation offers safety but limits authentic expression for transgender and non-binary people.
- Occupational therapists should support authentic gender expression and address the binary nature of occupations.
- Critical awareness of culturally encoded occupational norms is essential for inclusivity.
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