Sociology

Gender Diversity of Hijras and Kathooey
Majority of individuals of world identify themselves as male or female and there is another who claim to belong with  alternate gender.Gender is usually classified through social interactions and in India, hijras has been accepted as third gender.In Thailand, Kathooey has been accepted as third gender or alternative gender.

Why are alternate genders (genders other than men and women) accepted in India and Thailand
In India,hijras has been accepted as third Sex or special caste  and this presence in the Indian society has been justified by many Hindu myths.There has been  reference of this type of gender in Hindu religious book Mahabaratha.The Hero of Pandavas in exile,Arjun has disguised  himself as a hijra and has saved himself.During his disguised role,Arjun has attended weddings and that has given justice for hijras to attend weddings and other rituals in India.Hijras has been mentioned in Kama Sutra and there has been a chapter devoted on how to get extra pleasure from a hijra.Hijras has been usually accepted with Hindu culture and hijras has been given the role of servants in noble families in Mughal era(Bradford, Nicholas J,1983,p.312).

Kathooey has been accepted well in Thailand culture and they cannot be considered as urban or adult phenomena (Matzner, A,2001,p.75). Children has been willing for gender transition  from early days and they have been well accepted by the society.It probably would have to do with spiritual beliefs in Thailand.Budhist teachings has given importance to karma and transgender has been explained in terms of karma.Kathooey should be treated with compassion is the common feeling in Thailand.

Why be  hijra or Kathooey
Hijra are men looking for relationship with male counterparts and they are not considered as homosexuals in India (Nanda, S.,2000).Moreover they are considered as sacred and has the right to participate in sacred rituals.Hijras has been believed to have the power to bless families for fertility problems and mainstream Indians see the role of hijras as performers.Hijras stay normally as close knit families.

Thai women has been enjoying a more advantageous position in the society when compared with other counterparts globally and changing nature has seen Kathooey being accepted a women.That has increased the status of Kathooey women.

What are their lives like in the modern day
Majority of Hijras live in low status in India.The word has been used in derogatory manner and there is  no employment opportunities  for them.They have to perform or do begging to earn a decent income.Most of them have turned to prostitution to earn a decent living.Violence has been increasing against hijras.Hijras in modern times has been facing discrimination in health  sector,housing  sector,education  sector ,law sector and other sectors.There has been instances when doctors have failed to look into hijras health as they are not sure to treat  them as male or female.Hijras has been travelling in trains and showing obscene gestures to fellow travellers.Many modern hijras has turned to politics and All-India Eunuchs Welfare Association was started in the year  1993-94 in India.Hijras has been facing increased problems to combat  HIV disease.The new emerging situation is that hijras has been supporting gay right issues.

Kathooey has been accepted even in modern times and they are not facing any discrimination when compared with Indian counterparts.Moreover it is easy to find access to hormones and that can be done bypassing the medical department.