Transgender Children Issues - Research Paper Example

?Transgender children Contents Sr. # Topic Pg Introduction 2 2. Literature Review 3 3. Methods 10 4. Findings, Analysis and Discussion 11 5. Conclusion 13 References 13 1. Introduction “From the moment we are born our gender identity is no secret. We are either a boy or a girl. Gender organizes our world into pink or blue. As we grow up most of us naturally fit in into our gender roles, girls wear dresses and play with dolls; for boys its pants and trucks. But for some children ... they insist they're born into the wrong bodies. They are transgendered children” ABC News, 2007 The terms ‘sex’ and /or ‘gender’ are used loosely and interchangeably, in today’s society, with respect to describing an individual’s gender, despite the fact that both the words have a completely different meaning, which is distinct from each other. The word ‘sex’ refers to the biological categorization of an individual into ‘male’ or ‘female’ gender, based on their reproductive organs. Gender on the other hand, is more of a social construct, and is a term coined and used by the society to classify and describe an individual typically ‘male’ or ‘female’, based on social gender descriptions of the two (Morrow & Messinger, 2006). One of the most common misconceptions with regard to the definition of the term ‘gender’ as applied by the society, refers to the fact that it is an integral part of our existence and identities, and that it assigns social status to newly born, at the time of their birth. The society as well as our surrounding environment such as parents, plays a key role in shaping and influencing our attitudes towards what constitute gender, and inculcate socially acceptable gender norms, by interactions with the children and is reflected in the type of toys or clothes bought for the male and the female child. Such behavior on the part of the child’s immediate environment tends to teach the ‘appropriate’ and acceptable manner of leading their lives, and teaches them to behave in a ‘gender appropriate’ manner. The term ‘transgender’ as applied in contemporary society, is an umbrella term which is used to describe individuals with gender identity issues, and display a non-conformist behavior / attitude with regard to the same, i.e., an individual, biologically born as a male tends to behave as a female trapped in a male’s body and vice versa (Morrow & Messinger, 2006). The transgender children often insist of being born in the ‘wrong body’ (ABC News, 2007). Research questions: The key research questions addressed as a part of this study include: What does it mean to be transgendered? What are the key causes behind such gender identity issues? Are there any cures for the same? But most of all this study aims to emphasize the gravity of the issue, and delve further into the complex social and psychological implications of transexualism and its impact on the children and those around them. In order to seek answers for the above listed questions, a qualitative research method - secondary data analysis, is used, whereby data from academic and clinical journals, books, and other primary resources such as government websites and newspapers are used. 2. Literature review 2.1. Understanding Transgender Children: The term 'Transgender' refers to people who have serious gender identity issues and have difficulty associating and correlating with the biological sex they are born with. Such individuals do not suffer from any genetic abnormalities (Lee & Houk, 2006). Transgender children suffer from gender identity issues wherein the boys are often seen more comfortable with associating themselves with girls, dress like them and even play with dolls, display stereotypical feminine traits and vice versa (Brill & Pepper 2008). Research indicates that children normally begin to develop gender identity around the age of three years (Cohen-Hettenis & Arrindell, 1990. This theory holds true even in case of transgender children. Researchers have observed, by way of extensive studies, that transgender children begin to display their dissatisfaction with their biological gender, as soon as they begin to talk and start to behave as the opposite sex (Gooren, 2011). However, others posit that this is not true in case of all transgender children, as some children realize their gender issues during their adolescence. 2.2. Causation Various explanations have been put forward by researchers over the past century, regarding what causes individuals to become transgender. One of the most frequent explanations indicate the presence of dominant psychological environment during each period; while others suggest a range of social and emotional issues such as the absence of fathers; hyper masculinity / feminity in girls/ boys respectively; conditions or circumstances of their birth; use of prenatal sex steroids etc among others. Extensive research has been conducted over the years, especially during the early 1970s with regard to issues and causes of transgender people. Most of these studies were centered on the hypothesis of absent fathers or fathers who were passive during the upbringing of children (Bullough & Bullough, 1993). Some researchers have suggested that individuals who have had close symbiotic relationships or persistent and close physical contact with their mothers for the initial three years of their lives are known to develop gender identity issues and eventually become transgender (Cohen-Kettenis & Pfafflin, 2003). According to Mallon, (2008) stated that the social environment has played a key role in the development of gender identity issues among young children. According to a research study conducted by Blanchard et al., (1998) it was observed that the ‘birth order' is one of the crucial elements that results in gender identity issues among children. The study comprised of 32 children (all girls) and it was observed that the girls who were born early in the family as compared to their other siblings displayed symptoms of gender identity disorder. Furthermore the study also stated that the boys with gender identity issues typically included those who were born later, relative to controls. Schuker & Levinson, (1991) states that pre-oedipal narcissistic traumas is one of the key causes of this disorder among individuals and that such individuals feel compelled to act or behave like the opposite sex due to severe impairment of self. However according to recent research, a majority of researchers within the medical community are of the opinion that the reason why children become transgender is the use of sex steroids, which ultimately results in increase in the wrong-sex hormones (Brill & Pepper, 2008; Slabberkoorn et al., 1999). 2.3. Vulnerability and health issues There is increasing evidence in the form of research which indicate that transgender children are highly prone to bullying by their peers, in schools, which is directed at them on account of their gender identity issues. The wide scale and deep-rooted gender stereotypes tends to reinforce certain socially acceptable norms among individuals, and any non-conforming behavior which falls beyond the purview of such socially defined norms are subjected to ridicule and abuse. The bullying of transgender children is a national issue and cause of great concern since it affects the lives of millions of such children nationwide. Figure 1: Bullying of transgender children According to a study conducted by Greytak, Kosciw & Diaz (2009), which included a group of 6th through 12th graders regarding harassment and bullying in schools it was observed that approximately 82% of those bullied regularly were transgender children; almost nine out of ten transgender children reported to have experienced homophobic comments and reactions from their peers on a regular basis; almost 44% of the transgender children interviewed admitted to have experienced physical abuse such as being shoved, pushed, kicked or injured with a weapon; 76% of them reported to have been victims of unwanted sexual remarks from their peers; 62% of them admitted to have been bullied online (cyber-bullying); and 67% of them reported theft or destruction of their properties by their peers. Furthermore, it has also been reported that transgender children are far more likely to suffer from harassment, physical and sexual abuse, and other hate crimes as compared to students who are lesbian, gay and bi-sexual (Kosciw et al., 2010). This fact has been substantiated by other researchers who have reported similar observations based on their studies (Grossman, D?Augelli & Salter 2006; Grossman, D?Augelli, Salter & Hubbard 2005; McGuire et al. 2010; Sausa 2005). Table 1: Bullying and victimization of transgender children: research evidence Sr. # Author(s) Issues / concerns Statistics (%) 1. Kosciw et al., (2010) Fear of using restrooms locker rooms 55 51.7 2. Sausa (2005) Fear of using school facilities N.A. 3. McGuire (2010) Negative comments 82 4. Clements-Nolle et al., (2006) Attempted suicide 33.2 5. GLSEN (2003) Physical abuse 55 6. GLSEN (2001) Sexual harassment 74 7. Wilchins et al., (1997) Verbal harassment 48 Figure 2: Children identified with transgender issues have admitted to suffer from fear and anxiety in using public facilities for fear of being bullied. According to the National School Climate Survey, more than 55 per cent of students belonging to the transgender category, admitted to have suffered from bullying in school restrooms and locker-rooms. Similar observations were made by Sausa (2005) who reported that a significant proportion of transgender students have admitted to avoiding use of school restrooms due to fear of being bullied. According to another study conducted by McGuire et al., (2010) approximately 82 per cent of transgender students reported to have subjected to public ridicule by way of snide remarks on their sexuality and gender. On the basis of these findings and observations it can be safely concluded that there is almost universal agreement on the fact that due to the high rate of bullying, schools have become highly unsafe place for such students; and that in the absence of effective control measures on the part of the school authorities as well as administrators, such victimization is likely to increase, thus endangering the lives of innocent children. According to Hill & Menvielle (2009) the parents of transgender children are aware of the victimization and bullying of their children in the school environment and are fearful of their health and safety. Studies focused on observing the behavior of parents of such children, have indicated that approximately 60% of such parents of children of an average age of 8 years, have reported anxiety and apprehensions regarding disclosing and sharing the gender issues of their children publically, for fear of backlash on their children. 3. Methods Secondary data analysis method of qualitative research is used for the purpose of this study. This method of research entails use of existing datasets comprising of research conducted previously by other researchers and scholars on the topic on hand, and analyzing and summarizing the findings based on the same. This method of data analysis is widely used in modern day practice, mainly on account of the various benefits it offers such as ease of data collection. Furthermore secondary data sets are known for their high credibility and authenticity, hence eliminating the probability of inaccuracy in description and analysis of crucial issues (Brewer, 2003). This method of data collection is more apt in case of studies concerning sociological as well as public health issues since it entails a detailed description of, and emphasis on non-numerical data which helps in theorizing and deducing personal observations, based on the studies conducted by other researchers. According to David and Sutton (2004) "Qualitative research is strongly associated with induction and exploration in research rather than the deductive testing of preconceived theories" (pp. 77) 4. Findings, Analysis & Discussion Transgender children and transgender individuals in general, are largely absent from the social structure of the western cultures; which largely subscribes to the highly stereotypical binary gender classification model, thus leading to serious distortions in gender portrayal and gender identity issues among the populace. The society dictates terms and norms and the members of the society, are required to oblige in order to be perceived as socially acceptable and fit into the mainstream environment. All individuals are strictly categorized as either male or female, and the rest of those who do not fit into these moulds are labeled abnormal and are subjected to public ridicule and bullying, and treated as social deviants; and at times denying them the basic human rights, which they are entitled to since birth. Any inconsistency in the socially developed structures is not tolerated and gender expressions which defy these widely accepted social norms are suppressed or rejected. It is on account of such reasons that transgender individuals are perceived by the society as violating conventional gender expectations; and hence are discriminated against on a continuous basis. The marginalization and segregation of such individuals further add to the trauma of such individuals making it difficult for them to cope with the pressure, thus often driving them to extremes i.e., resulting in depression or suicidal tendencies. Theoretical perspectives Social learning theory: This theory entails that human behavior is largely influenced by the observations made by individuals and that such behavior is learned from the experiences and reinforcements received - for instance when a baby smiles at their parents the gesture is returned with a smile, thus encouraging the baby to repeat the behavior. But when a toddler throws or breaks things, the parents react with negative verbal or physical cues, thus discouraging them from repeating such behavior. Social learning theories are deeply entrenched in sex-typed behaviors whereby certain activities performed by individuals belonging to a particular sex are termed and defined as normal and appropriate but when the same is done by the opposite sex it is perceived as abnormal and inappropriate (Siann, 1994; Mischel, 1970). Cognitive development theory: This theory refers to the socialization process among children and describes the manner in which children learn to form gender identities; the ability to differentiate between genders, and learn gender appropriate behavior (Kohlberg, 1966). The process whereby children learn to associate themselves with a gender is referred to as Gender-typing or sex-typing. Children learn to form gender identities on the basis of their social interactions and based on their understanding of gender, depending on the various developmental stages. It is during these stages that the children learn about gender socialization, whereby they are self-motivated to act and behave in accordance with the biological gender they are born with. Thus girls are self-motivated to indulge in feminine activities and vice versa, due to their understanding of what gender means and how they ought to behave rather than how they feel (Bem, 1983). 5. Conclusion On the basis of the above discussion, it is observed that gender appropriate behavior is ascertained on the basis of a range of factors including social, psychological and biological and that the cultural assumptions and stereotypes which tend to prevent independent expressions of one's sexuality must be renewed and reflected upon, in order to hope for gender equality in its truest sense of the word. In a society where the gender classifications are purely dichotomous, the scope for the ‘other genders’ is restricted, thus preventing uninhibited expressions of one’s feelings and emotions, often leading to suppression of basic human right to lead respectable lives. The issue of transgender children and the various emotional traumas they suffer on a daily basis, along with their persistent struggle to explore and understand their emotional dilemma is of crucial significance for researchers. 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