Analysis of Boys Dont Cry - Essay Example

Analysis of ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ Introduction In the American society, there are increasing numbers of cases of people adopting strange behaviors. With the increase of homosexuals in society, one may pause to wonder what is wrong with society. As though that is not enough, there are people who feel dissatisfaction with their gender and often opt to adopt the roles of the other gender. In a society where people feel depressed by the lack of equal opportunities for males and females, people tend to adopt the gender that will make them feel appreciated in society. When an individual faces inner insecurities, alienation and loneliness, that individual may turn to a total change of behavior that fills the void they feel in society. ‘Boys don’t cry’ elaborates the plight of American young people growing up in a society that does not offer adequate opportunities. It is in this society that Brandon grows up. Although born female he opts to live like a man in order to feel appreciated in society. Deep inside him, Brandon faces an identity crisis that forces him to defy social norms. Gender Identity, Gender Roles, and Sexual Orientation Psychologists have developed theories that distinguish the roles an individual plays in society. In a normal setting, stereotypes and cultural set-ups define the roles associated with each gender. However, these roles can only come into place if an individual acknowledges belonging to one of the genders. Gender identity is the aspect of an individual to acknowledge and accept the implication of the natural gender. After such acceptance, one can then project behavior that depicts the gender. Society has designated duties and behavior expected from men. The same applies for women. Adopting transgender behavior defies the social norms. Situations that involve a woman choosing to behave like a man and executing masculine roles in society as well as adopting masculine sexual roles defies the social norm. The social roles theory designates sexual roles played by women and men in society. Brandon in the movie ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ chooses to defy these norms. He does not accept the feminine identity. In addition, he depicts attributes of the opposite sex. Anatomically a woman, the womanhood brings dissatisfaction in his life. Being born a woman makes Brandon feel empty. Instead of embracing the feminine societal ands sexual roles, Brandon opts to adopt what suits him most (Barrett 45). He defies what society describes as normal and decides to cross-dress like a man. In addition, he defies the social naming system and adjusts his name to fit the masculine nature that he adopts. Brandon experiences a predicament in his entire life. Efforts geared towards presenting his preferred self contrary to the real self do not work out easily. He suffers a gender identity disorder. Gender Identity Disorder This disorder presents an individual with a dissatisfaction, discomfort, and denial of his or her anatomic sex. Individuals are either born male or female according to the genitalia. The anatomical sex comes with a distinct hormonal control that results in secondary sexual features. In females, these include the breasts, broadening of hips, menstrual periods and associated feminine hormonal effects. Males grow beards and the voice breaks. This anatomical male or female setting leads to the adoption of differing sexual and social roles between males and females (Barrett 45). People who portray the gender identity disorder to seek to identify themselves with the opposite sex. They tend to adjust every bit of their behavior to fit that of the opposite sex. They will dress and adopt mannerisms of the opposite gender. Usually, they will easily qualify f or the desired gender through the adjustments they make (Barrett 42). They deny the real sexual identity and opt to fake the opposite sex. They project characteristics of the opposite sex. Individuals suffering from this disorder often seek opportunities such as gender reassignment that involves the exchange of the anatomical orientation through surgery (Barrett 47). Causes of the disorder are purely hormonal and may arise during pregnancy. From the clinical view, diagnosis criteria take into consideration of several factors. The first factor involves the persistence of efforts to project cross-gender identification. In addition, the patient must exhibit a great level of dissatisfaction with the natural anatomic sex. In addition, the individual should not have hermaphroditic features. Another distinctive factor confirming disorder involves evidence of social distress related to association with the natural sexual anatomy (Barrett 42). The movie portrays the leading character with all these characteristics. Brandon presents evidence by cross-dressing. Brandon denies Teena’s natural sexual anatomy. There is great preference and projection of the masculine Brandon. Brandon adopts masculine social roles. He struggles with an inner desire to be masculine (Barret 50-51). Brandon move s to Falls city in search of a place to express the masculine Brandon. In the new neighborhood, he makes male friends who accept him a man. In the new setting, he feels confident and presents sexual feelings for a girl named Lana. He involves himself in a homosexual relationship with Lana although he acts the man in the relationship. He hides his true feminine gender identity and adopts a masculine charisma that affords him the closeness to his male friends and to his girlfriend Lana. When things start falling apart and the truth starts becoming eminent, Brandon has to confront his worst fears. Although he has managed to deceive his friends by binding his bust and projecting masculine genitalia using socks, his real identity comes out when he faces speeding charges. In addition, a story that matches his description appears in the newspapers and his friends get to read it. This prompts them to seek evidences to the claims that Brandon is a woman. The realization makes them feel betrayed. The betrayal leads them to crime. Usually gender identity disorder leads to the development of psychosexual problems exhibited by Brandon. Adult Psychosexual Problems During psychosexual development, an individual’s cognition must accept and firmly associate with the natural anatomic sexual anatomy. Some individuals experience gender dysphoria characterized by the fantasy and wish of belonging to the opposite sex. Other individuals suffer from a complex sexual orientation and identity problem. These individuals may experience eroticism towards same sex individuals but do not conform to the homosexuality identity in their minds. This is the case with Brandon and Lana. Brandon does not think he is having homosexual relationship and does not accept the homosexuality identity in his mind. The same happens for Lana, who indulges in the relationship but chooses to close her mind to the fact that Brandon is in real sense a woman even when there is evidence. Discussion ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ tackles the identity crisis brought about by gender prejudice in society. Brandon experiences a gender identity disorder in her bid to attain self-actualization. She has the conviction that being male will help her satisfy the higher needs concerning the self. Her predicament is partly because she belongs to a society that does not offer young people the opportunities they need to realize self-actualization. Inside Brandon exists a young girl in the American society who feels that life would have more meaning if she were born male. To fill the emptiness she feels inside, she decides to defy her gender identity and roles and build the masculine Brandon. In her understanding, Brandon can cope with the life situations better than Teena who only knows loneliness. Things seem to be working well for her because she manages to express the new identity in a new neighborhood. The new identity affords her very close friends who are out to find acceptance too. Along with the male friends comes Lana, who falls in love with Brandon. The tragedies that come at the end of the movie reveal that abandoning one’s gender identity is a choice that comes with consequences. There are completely new definitions of gender roles, gender identity, and sexual orientation in the fast-changing society. The current society is affecting the psychosocial and psychosexual development resulting to loss of identity. Society comprises of individual who no longer accept their natural sexual anatomy because of prejudices, attitudes, and roles associated with them. Because of the underlying prejudices, people have defied what society considers norm and adopted new forms of identities. Today there is an increase of transgender individuals in society. Their quest to undergo surgical genital transformation begins from the dissatisfaction they feel inside. The societal attitudes towards gender are a great motivation for individuals to abandon the gender system. They opt to adopt the transgender configuration that does not come with any prejudices. Work Cited Barrett, James. Transsexual and Other Disorders of Gender Identity: A Practical Guide to Management. Oxford [u.a.: Radcliffe, 2007. Print. Read More