Beginning in early childhood, a young hijra’s emerging gender identity and expression come into conflict with normative gender roles based on sex.  A hijra’s self-realisation is noticed and tabooed by family members and society because of a lacking of knowledge and understanding about the third gender.  Often, their families resist accepting their child’s gender identity. Fearing disgrace from society at large, they often resort to various forms of abuse in an effort to ‘fix’ their child, or ultimately exclude them from their family and home. Many hijras have no choice but to escape from their family’s maltreatment.  The stigma and discrimination they face continue as they try to survive in a world that looks down on them.