Three perspectives of transgenderism - Essay Example

Running Head: Human Sexuality Human Sexuality Prepared by or Submitted to The paper analyses the article about transgenderism from three perspectives; biological, psychological and socio-cultural. In biological perspective, the physiological and anatomical aspects that lead to gender differences are taken into consideration. In case of psychological perspective, the psychological responses of the individuals are given importance. The last one, socio-cultural perspective gives rise to the concerns about future generations as well as the social mobility of present transgendered generation within the traditional societies. Introduction The article selected in the paper is 'Coming out of Trans: Questions of Identity for Therapists Working with Transgendered Individuals' Published in January 8th 2008 Edition of Electronic Journal of Human sexuality. The author William A Henkin (2008) tries to bring contrast between the views of gender and sexuality and quotes a man and woman who are previously a woman and a man. As they changed the gender, the examination of such issues from biological, psychological and socio-cultural perspectives is important for this paper. The paper starts with biological perspective of transgendered individuals initially and enters into the psychological aspects of them. Then the socio-cultural impacts of and on transgendered individuals can be studied. Biological Perspective The biological perspective of sexuality brings to the fore, the physiology and anatomy. According to Denman Chess (2004), the above two disciplines decide the aspects of human sexual experience and they can be termed as sexual anatomy and physiology as well as evolutionary theory in the case of transgendered individuals. The sexual experiences in transgendered individuals are much more complex than normal gendered people as there is sex change in the person. Even the normal gender person's categorization of sex is complex in biological perspective, it is more complex and conflicting in the case of transgendered individuals as chromosomal sex, hormonal status and internal sexual organs as well as external sexual organs change after the change of sex. According to biological perspective, the gender is determined by presence of chromosomes and presence only X chromosomes gives a female gender and presence of both X and Y chromosomes results in a male gender. Hence, in both male and female genders, the chromosome is present and Y is not present in female gender. In the above sense, the female gender dominates biologically and the effects of chromosomal make-up. However, the chromosomal sex has a social function that is a result of biological activities. The biological activities result in hormonal influences to determine the development of sexual activities and they are different in various males and females. That means, the sexual characteristics and the expression of male and female characteristics depend on the hormones released in the body of a person. For example, the genotypic males develop into externally phenotypic females due to constitutional insensitivity of the tissues. These developments can help in changing the gender of a person physically. The above aspect results in transgendered individuals. 1 The Psychological Perspective The transgendered individuals are result of transgendering, which is due to erasing, substituting, concealing and implying of gender and sexuality. Hence, transgendering can be termed as redefining and remake up of gender of a person. This results in psychological changes that is not a part of biological make up and needs counseling in some cases. Ekins Richard (2006) quotes that the gender change results in an atmosphere of new goals as the male and female thinking is different. Ekins Richard quotes Merton's theory of deviating from norms to serve his own interests can be observed in the transgendered individual. This results in a natural attitude that claims 'disinterested purpose' in case of transgendered individuals. The psychological aspects are decided by the norms in the society and that differs from society to society. The important psychological aspect is that every person has a right as well as wish to express him/herself cosmetically, chemically, surgically a self defined gender identity. Some males like to play a female role in their lives as their mind and hormones are better suitable for that role. Hence, the role of gender as well as the migrating and oscillating pre suppositions is significant in psychological responses of a transgendered individual. As both transgendered males and females are new to biological and socio cultural activities of their new gender, the adjustment necessary results in psychological responses that are nave in nature as well as the ones that are filled with anxiety and fear. Socio-Cultural Perspective The psychological responses in transgendered individuals make way to maintenance of social order through social mobility. According to Ramnet Sabrina P (1996), in traditional societies, the male gender has the domination to carry the name of the family. Hence, the people use to prefer the male babies, but in the era of transgenderism, they can prefer a gender change instead of killing female fetuses. Though the above mentioned aspect is a positive thing, every socio-cultural perspective of transgenderism may not be positive. If a married female changes to a male, the question of her surname and other family bearings come to the fore and it will be a compulsion for her (his) husband to change the gender if they want to keep their marriage intact. If they have no children, the have to go for a surrogate mother and the child gets transgendered father's surname instead of mother's (previously father). However, there might raise a lot of legal problems in case of people who prefer to stay children less in the post transgendered period. If this type of activity grows, it may result in lack of future generations. In addition to that the acceptance of transgendered people in the society may be a problem until their psychological responses are like the ones of the normal gendered persons. References William A Henkin, 2007, Coming Out Trans: Questions of Identity for Therapists Working with Transgendered Individuals, Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality, Volume 11, Retrieved on 18th January 2009 from http://www.ejhs.org/volume11/Coming_out_trans.htm Denman, Chess (Author). (2004). Sexuality : A Biopsychosocial Approach. Gordonsville, VA, USA: Palgrave Macmillan. Ekins, Richard (Author). (2006). Transgender Phenomenon. London, , GBR: Sage Publications, Incorporated. Ramet, Sabrina P. (Editor). (1996). Gender Reversals and Gender Cultures : Anthropological and Historical Perspectives. London, UK: Routledge. Read More