ItemArticle

Transgender women as knights of faith: navigating ethics between national conservatism and radical gender ideology

Title
Transgender women as knights of faith: navigating ethics between national conservatism and radical gender ideology
Creator
Paul Pudushery, Asha; Arur, Aditi Ashok
Description
This study explores mental health and spirituality among transgender women in India, examining their experiences within global conflicts between national conservatism and radical gender ideology. Analyzing stories of eleven trans women, we show how faith provides resilience amid rejection and discrimination. We contend that right-wing populist movements redirect anxieties about capitalist exploitation onto marginalized groups, particularly transgender individuals. Through Kierkegaardian ethical lenses, we show how Hijra women embody Kierkegaards concept of knights of faith: transcending conformity to embrace authentic existence while maintaining mental health and spiritual integrity. We propose a MarxistKierkegaardian synthesis combining critique with existential authenticity, linking personal resilience. 2025 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Source
Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health;
Date
01-01-2025
Publisher
Routledge
Subject
Anti-gender movements; existential well-being; faith and spirituality; mental health; resilience; transgender (Hijra) women
Coverage
Paul Pudushery A., Christ University, Bengaluru, India; Arur A.A.
Rights
Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library
Relation
ISSN: 19349637;
Format
online
Language
English
Type
Article

Citation

Paul Pudushery, Asha; Arur, Aditi Ashok, “Transgender women as knights of faith: navigating ethics between national conservatism and radical gender ideology,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed June 18, 2026, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/22752.

Output Formats