Curiosity Project Post #2: Gender
This week I wanted to expand on the transgender identity. Also, to get a better understanding of the way gender is perceived, I wanted to discuss two extreme but opposite points of views on gender that people hold in North America.
First, I’d like to start with the identity of being transgender. This term is an umbrella term, and is different than being “transsexual,” which means someone who has or wants to change their assigned sex at birth to another one, such as from female to male, or vice versa. However, many of those who are transsexual use the term transgender, as it is a more respectful term. Since transgender is an umbrella term though, many identify with other terms such as nonbinary and still may fit under the transgender umbrella, although not using the label. This is because their identity does not align within the binary. (Abrams)
However those who are transsexual, and use the transgender label, have dysphoria. This means they feel a heavy sense of discomfort presenting as their assigned sex and go through processes like hormone treatments and various gender reassignment surgeries to alleviate this. Many in the transgender community have mental health issues. An alarming rate of trans people experience mental health issues like depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts. About 41 percent of trans men and women have attempted suicide (Schreiber). These issues are due to lack of acceptance, discrimination, and stigma against transgender people. It is important that people learn to be aware of this alarming problem and be more accepting of the transgender community. As with supportive family, teachers, school and work colleagues, groups etc., many trans women and men can feel uplifted and their mental health issues are less dominant in their lives.
There are many different stances that people take about the topic of gender throughout the world. And two very opposite but ongoing views on gender in North America, are that of gender binary upholders and gender abolitionists. Starting with the first one, gender binary upholders. It’s important to remember that the term “binary” means the idea of only two genders, male and female.
Those who hold this view are usually on the more conservative side politically. I use the term “upholders” to describe how those on this particular extreme end, want to keep the idea of gender within the binary. And find it unfathomable that there might be any other identity other than male and female. usually those who hold this belief don’t know the difference between sex and gender, namely that sex is determined by the biological and physical characteristics a person has, and that gender is a culturally/socially constructed identity. Therefore, they may find it difficult to comprehend the concept of more than two gender identities because they have a limited understanding of it. In turn, gender binary upholders mainly believe only in cisgender identities and are usually transphobic. A study done about transphobia and the main causes of it, shows that “as predicted, higher transphobia, was positively related to prejudice toward sexual minorities, right-wing authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, religiousness, religious fundamentalism, and traditional attitudes toward gender roles.” (Konopka) The main issue with this belief is that it is rooted in uninformed and traditionalistic ideas, and so it’s hard for those with this belief to learn unfamiliar concepts about gender.
On the other side, are gender abolitionists. A new and emerging extremist view, who hold a very intense liberal stance. Sometimes called “Post-genderism,” those with this view want to abolish gender roles altogether, along with social stratification, and cogno-physical disparities and differences. (Postgenderism) Some post-genderists even believe that gender might altogether be non-existent in the future due to advancing reproductive options. However this idea too, yet in a different way, is also misunderstanding the concept of sex and gender as separate entities. The issue with this extreme belief, is that it can be harmful and invalidating to people who identify with specific genders. Especially to trans individuals who use gender identity to help with their dysphoria.
In summary, there are many ways to perceive gender, and the topic can get meddled in different interpretations and understandings. Nonetheless, it’s clear the topic of gender is an interesting and complex one. Especially when you look at it from different angles. With so many individuals who have their own experiences and opinions on the matter, socially and politically worldwide, it’s no doubt an intriguing topic.
Sources:
Abrams, Mere. “Is There a Difference Between Being Transgender and Transsexual?” Healthline, 21 Nov. 2019, www.healthline.com/health/transgender/difference-between-transgender-and-transsexual#underlying-contention.
Konopka, Karolina, et al. Springer Link, Two Genders Only: Measuring Attitudes toward Transgender Individuals in Poland. 25 Jul. 2019, link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11199–019–01071–7.
“Postgenderism.” h+ Pedia, 23 Nov. 2013, hpluspedia.org/wiki/Postgenderism.
Schreiber, Katherine. “Why Transgender People Experience More Mental Health Issues.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 6 Dec. 2016, www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-truth-about-exercise-addiction/201612/why-transgender-people-experience-more-mental-health.
