FACTORS CONTRIBUTING IN LIFE SATISFACTION AMONG HIJRAS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF SARGODHA, PAKISTAN

Abstract

The endeavor of the present study is to explore the factors contributing in life satisfaction among the hijras. In order to investigate the positive and negative causative factors semi structured interviews were performed on those persons who are by birth hijras including Guru who is usually the leader of that particular group (N = 1) and three Chelas who are the followers of guru (N = 4). Sample was collected through the snowball sampling technique. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used in order to analyze the data qualitatively. For this purpose, all interviews were transcribed first then main themes were extracted from each interview. Major themes were also shown in the form of the table. These major themes were: offended by teasing, rejection from society, bound to this profession, satisfied with life, change thinking of people, dissatisfactory government policies, proximity to God, financial aid to family, love to be family, restrictions in childhood, lack of self-control, different creatures, different attitude of gender, and desire for self-appreciation. The importance, distinctiveness and significance of the chosen sample was well considered before executing the research. The results were discreet as the construct being explored was novel and crucial in terms of investigation with the increasing population of hijras. The findings of the study are supportive and have potential to guide the intervention plans for enhancing the life satisfaction of hijras.