Introduction
Gender is biological. There are two genders; male and female. Each one is differentiated by physical biological aspects, hormone distribution, and social roles. An individual begins to learn about their own gender by the age of 1 from viewing the way that people around behave. By age 3, the individual is aware of their own gender and is able to perform the way society will expect of them. (Walters, 1997) But what about people who are indecisive about their gender? Or people who look male but feel like a woman and vice versa. For the majority of the population, there is no confusion when it comes to gender roles. If you were born as a male, then throughout childhood, you would wear male clothes, and participate in
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Gender identity is the sexual role that a person identifies with. Gender dysphoria is a condition where a person experiences distress because they feel as though their gender identity does not comply with their biological gender. (Nhs.uk, 2015) Gender dysphoria is a recognised medical condition, not a mental illness. This essay will explore the social and biological aspects of gender and how the association of the two influences the way we view ourselves and behave in society. This issue will be explored by the proof of gender roles being discovered at an early age, and then discussing how acceptance (or lack thereof) towards this aspect of being transgender affects an individual’s social isolation and sense of …show more content…
They believe that gender dysphoria is not a real concept; that these individuals are simply looking for attention and wanting to stand apart from the crowd. As gender dysphoria is becoming better known, people are beginning to think of it as a trend that “the freaks’ will conform to for a while and then go back to living their lives the way they use to. However, this is not the case. Gender dysphoria is not a modernized cultural whim; it is a medical condition in which the biological sex of an individual is not compliant with their social gender. People spend so much time and effort trying to follow the societal norms that anyone who doesn’t is labelled as abnormal. The lack of acceptance leads to social isolation for these individuals, social isolation leads to depression which leads to suicide. (Wareham, 2010) An individual with Gender Dysphoria is trying to live as normal of a life as they can while feeling comfortable with who they feel they are. Current representations of transgendered individuals through the media often reinforce the image of having intact gender entirety of masculinity and femininity, making the transgendered people to feel as though they have to take hormone supplements or get surgery to correctly align their gender with their body. (Siebler,
The medicalization of transgender tendencies, under what was Gender Identity Disorder, was demoralizing to all transgender people. This resulted in a form of structured and institutionalized inequality that made an entire group of people internalize their problems, making them question not only their own identity, but also their sanity. Therefore, the removal of this disorder from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 2013 and the newest editions was important in that it shows society’s recognition and acceptance of the transgender
To begin with, gender must be examined at the basic level of science in regard to physical and biological development of humans. We all understand the physical differences between the male and female gender, but how is our sex actually determined. After conception,
In today’s society, it can be argued that the choice of being male or female is up to others more than you. A child’s appearance, beliefs and emotions are controlled until they have completely understood what they were “born to be.” In the article Learning to Be Gendered, Penelope Eckert and Sally McConnell- Ginet speaks out on how we are influenced to differentiate ourselves through gender. It starts with our parents, creating our appearances, names and behaviors and distinguishing them into a male or female thing. Eventually, we grow to continue this action on our own by watching our peers. From personal experience, a child cannot freely choose the gender that suits them best unless our society approves.
What is Gender Dysphoria? A clinical definition may be, “The condition of feeling one 's emotional and psychological identity as male or female to be opposite to one 's biological sex.” There is a growing amount of scientific research that suggests gender identity develops at a very early age. So, what are the ethical considerations of gender-reassignment treatments for minors suffering from gender dysphoria? Children can be diagnosed with GD as early as age five. Following, most girls start puberty when they are between the ages of eight and thirteen years old. Then, most boys start puberty when they are between the ages of ten and fifteen years old.
Many transgender people lived in dysfunctional families when they were young. The support becomes vital for the wellbeing of kids. In her book Redefining Realness by Janet Mock, recaps the importance of support from Michelle his cousin, who kept in secrets of gender dysphoria of Charles (Keisha) by saying “‘Pinkie –swear you won’t tell your mom’…She’d keep the secret my secret because I was her favorite cousin” (Mook 76). Michelle, kept Keisha’s secret by allowing her to use her swimming clothes. Michelle shows the importance of support from relatives. This is a fundamental factor that might help with the development of her gender identity. Many transgender people may feel a relief at the time to disclose their identity. When transition is in progress the support from friends and families becomes important because, many transgender people might suffer if they lack support. Many transgender people seem depressed because they are rejected by society. Janet Mock, relates how Wendi, support Charles, by making him feel comfortable, saying “Wendi and I grew inseparable trough middle school, a bond that would link us for the rest of our lives. Through association, my class –mates learned that I was like Wendi-who hadn’t yet adopted any labels to describe her shifting self” (Mook 107). In most cases transgender people’s acquaintances can be referred as transgender people just by friendship. The association makes transgender people to gain confidence about their gender identity. The support from groups or friends makes transgender people feel that they are accepted and not alone. Support from friends might urge transgender people to come out the “closet” and reveal their gender identity to gain respect among society. The support from friends is important, but family support seems to be the most important. When families do not support transgender people it causes a hostile environment that may suppress
Gender Dysphoria was previously referred to as Gender Identity Disorder or transsexuals and is characterized by “a marked incongruence between one’s experienced or expressed gender and one’s assigned gender as a male or female” (Sue, Sue, Sue and Sue, 2014, p. 363). Using an article written for the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing (2012), “Gender Dysphoria in Children: Let’s Think This Through” written by Hein and Kathrene Berger, and our text, “Invitation to the Lifespan (2014)” by Kathleen Stassen Berger, we will expand upon the effects of what was proposed in the article and it would affect a child. Although highly controversial, Hein and Berger argue against diagnosing a child with GD providing several key points, while
Part of the issue that transgenders face is living in a puritanical society that is ignorant, judgmental, and afraid of their sexual choices. This resulted in how her family ultimately related to her, like Jenner’s and the lecturer’s families did. My patient felt alone because she had little contact with her family, mainly her mother and sister. Her father had not talked to her in a couple of years because of his son being transgender. Perhaps, just the thought of his son wanting to be a woman threatened his sense of his own masculinity. The father may have dealt with his own conflicts by ignoring his
In conclusion, keeping Gender Dysphoria as a diagnosis aids the most vulnerable population in seeking treatment and care, options, protection, and guidance. As society and medicine moves forward, we may be able to steer away from mental health bias and general discrimination towards non-conformity, but for now it is important to protect the patients who are helped by the diagnosis. Gender Dysphoria currently allows patients to be treated under their insurance, have access to care, and fight for their
Furthermore, the article clarifies that many transgender people experience a stage of identity development that aids in helping them better understanding their own self-image reflection, and expression. More specifically, they reach out to professional...
Around the world gender is genuinely seen as strictly male or female. If you step out of this “social norm,” you could be considered an outcast. This disassociation includes, biological males/females, interssexed, and transgendered individuals. These people are severely suppressed by society because their gender identification, behaviors, and even their activities deviate from the norm. Most Americans are exceedingly devoted to the concept that there are only two sexes. Therefore, the constrictive American ideals of male and female gender identities inhibits growth and acceptance of gender expression.
Living life as a transgendered person is not easy. There are very few times when someone comes out as transgender and their lives are still relatively easy to manage. There are a copious...
The information acquired over the semester, whether through text or visual media, vividly brought the importance of knowing how one’s gender is identified and developed.
The words gender and sex may sound like the same words with the same meaning; it is often neglected how those two words convey different meanings that collide into each other, not because they have the same meaning but because they are closely related. Sex, normally perceived as a biological trait of a human being, is the character each individual has that help distinguish woman from man by eyes. Gender, although it may seem similar to what sex is, it conveys deeper meaning of one being, which combines perception, societal norms and basic traits of a human being. If one person looks like a female, she is not necessarily feminine in gender. In fact, the gender can be defined as a label that describes individuals with different biological traits,
first way gender is defined is by the family in which a child is raised. Second is the society in which a child interacts; makes friends and enemies. The third is our school system and our board of education. And the last but not least is our own self conscious. Each of the above four ways have a unique way of molding and helping an individual define his/her gender.
Identities are an important part of the human experience. One of the many identities that creates a person is gender. Society, being the entity establishing social norms and social roles, plays a part in effecting the individual’s gender, and how they choose to express themself. The underlying or overlying identities also have the same effect. Gender is not only an identity, it is a lifestyle inside and out. Gender, like race, class, and sexuality; is not limited to the binary scale, and that is normal, natural, and human. The concept of gender is man-made, but it forces one’s hand to analyze the thought processes behind an individual's perception on gender through self, through society, or through the dichotomy and/or correspondence of the