Research on Transgender Identification in Youth or Adulthood
The question at hand is whether or not it is more beneficial for a person with gender dysphoria to be able to express the gender for which they identify with at a young age, or later, in adulthood.
In regards to sociology, symbolic interactionism is ideal for examining the way in which sociological theory relates to transgender issues. This is because symbolic interactionism is the study of how people relate to one another and their environment, but specifically how the relations between each other have an effect on their environment. Blumer’s conceptualization of symbolic interactionism, known as the situational approach is the one most often used in sex research (Longmore,
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Hopefully, by gaining insight into these interactions, it will help inform whether or not it is beneficial for a child to be able to express their gender identity at a young age or whether it is more beneficial for them to wait until adulthood.
A theory that would give insight into the research question in relation to psychology would be identity theory. Stryker and Burke (2006) have the most relevant ideas on identity theory that would inform the research question. In identity theory, it is used to show how people identify with being a particular type of person; how they take on social roles and belong to social groups (Burke, 2006). Stryker claimed that the greater number of people one is committed to being a certain type of person around the more they identify with being that type of person (Burke, 2006). This poses interesting insight into the research question of whether or not it is beneficial for a child to express their gender identity at a young age and be “out” with everyone they know, or for an adult to have to slowly bring their identity into existence among people individually and how this may have an effect on the person. Stryker also
If we start discussing the various gender identities at an early age in schools, perhaps it will help to resolve the isolation that these individuals feel. It will not change everyone’s views, but we can start the discussion early on in hopes that we can have a better understanding and become more compassionate. After all, we don’t choose to be who we are, that is decided while we are still in our mother’s womb. We should all be free to live our lives the way that we want
Nowadays, there is this societal pressure the minute a child claims to be a member of a different sex, we are supposed to reinforce this claim and not suspect anything of it. For example, Kyle, said he found out that he was transgender from a YouTube video he watched when he was younger. This statement demonstrates how malleable children are when faced with complex situations. Furthermore, it’s possible that gender confusion can be created by environment or exacerbated by
In Susan Stryker’s (De)Subjugated Knowledges, she culminates a history of academic attention to transgender studies; tracking the field’s movement from abnormal psychology to its contemporary form of self-analysis and discourse (by which I mean that rather than being discussed by those outside of the trans community, transgender voices are now leading their own academic discussions). At a basic level, Stryker defines transgender studies as that which:
Discussion of issues related to non-normative sexual and gender identities as related to mental health began in the 19th century (Drescher, 2010). Initially medical and psychiatric providers viewed issues related to gender identity as resulting from delusional thought processes (Drescher, 2010). As a result the concept of surgery as a solution to gender identity differences was viewed as unnecessary and ultimately an incorrect form of treatment (Drescher, 2010). In 1952 the first gender reassignment surgery was performed in Denmark on an American citizen (Drescher, 2010). The publicity in the American media that followed this surgery brought the concept of gender identity to the public eye. During the 1960s research about gender identity started to develop and it was the work of Money, Stoller, Benjamin, and Green that ultimately change professional and public concept of Gender Identity (Drescher, 2010). These four individuals were among the first to conduct clinical and academic research on gender identity and gender roles (Drescher, 2010). As a result of their research beliefs about non-normative gender identity shifted from a problem of the mind to a biological disorder that was fixed and should be treated with
Butch, masculine, lesbians have frequently been compared with femme, feminine, lesbians through multiple research surveys and studies (L. Zheng and Y. Zheng 186-193, Rosario, Schrimshaw, Hunter, and Levy-Warren 34-49). In L. Zheng and Y. Zheng's study, most butch lesbians report more gender nonconformity throughout their childhood and adulthood; a great number of them experienced uncertainty about their gender identity (186-193). Similarly, research on trans men explains how the majority of them struggle through gender nonconformity mostly before their transition: oftentimes, they are labeled as
In class, we have learned and discussed how during the period of adolescence, it is known that this is the period of time where individuals are finding themselves and figuring out where they belong. It is during this time where individuals are the most sensitive and personal problems tend to arise more commonly during this stage. A major issue adolescents struggle during this stage is gender identity and sexuality. Adolescents are trying to figure out who they are attracted to and how they perceive themselves to be. While the norm is to identify oneself as their biological gender, there are those who develop gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria is a reoccurring feeling that one’s biological gender is the opposite of one’s sexual identity (Cole,
Transgender youth are children and adolescents who consider themselves transgender or transsexual. Transgender youth are usually dependent on their parents for care, shelter, financial support, and other needs. Transgender youth face different challenges compared to adults and other hetereosexual youth. Transgender issues can arise at different times in life and be experienced differently for each individuals. Many of these children experience rejection as a result of their differences and quickly attempt to repress them creating self hate and isolation. People may see these children regularly and be unaware that they are unhappy as members of their assigned gender by birth.
Hypothesis: If children age 3-4 are given a choice to surround themselves with who they please, then the child will lean towards those of his or her gender.
However, many people whose “appearance or behavior is gender nonconforming will identify as a transgender person” (APA Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns Office). There are many different types of transgender as well. People who identify as other than transgender usually self-identify as genderqueer, genderfluid, “androgynous, multigendered, gender nonconforming, third gender, and two-spirit” (APA Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns Office). The meanings of these labels vary from individual to individual. Gender identity is a very personal subject, shaped by and individual’s experiences and values. Gender variance can be seen on a spectrum, varying between cross-dressing individuals who are comfortable with their biological sex, to individuals who experience extreme dysphoria when dealing with the conflict between their gender and sex. There is not yet a determined cause for the reason people identify as transgender. Scientists have reasoned that “genetic influences and prenatal hormone levels, early experiences, and experiences later in adolescence or adulthood” likely contribute, but are not the sole causes (APA Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns Office). Lack of research into the psychology of gender variance is likely due to the social stigma attached to people whose identities fall outside the socially accepted gender
As we know transgenderism has been around for quite some time now. Tracking back to way before 1998 when the transgender day was established. This day is on November 20th and it was established in order to have a day of remembrance for those people of the gay, lesbian, and straight community who have suffered from either physical abuse, assault, or both. Researchers of psychological advancements have discovered many new things about this rising issue or as a psychologist would call it a “disorder” with in the specific community in this case the LGBT community. However during the research many questions were asked by the American Psychology Association. Questions such as how the transgender community
Gender issues have recently hit the surface pretty hard and has made life changing impacts, nationally. Some political topics have been on same-sex marriage and restrooms for transgendered students. The nation is divided in regards to gender issues. The recent awareness has forced the government to step in and back up laws that are for and against these issues. Analyzing our lives on a daily basis seems easy, but after reading The Gender Trap: Parents and Pitfalls of Raising Boys and Girls by Emily Kane, I didn't realize how much I actually gender my children and how it could affect them in the future. Interviews
Along with the development perspectives and social implications. Miller, develops an argument that gender identity can be “fruitfully explored” as a personality process. Some of the topics discussed include gender identity as a personality process; the intersection of gender and sexual identity development in a sample of transgender individuals; gender dysphoria; representations of teachers about the relation between physical education contents and gender identities; and common hypothetical etiology of excess and exposure in female-to-male transsexualism and polycystic ovary
The study took place over the course of five years, and the 125 participants were eighteen or older at the time of enrollment. Of the 125 participants, 66 were male-to-female transgender individuals and 59 were female-to-male transgender individuals. In order to be included in the study, all participants needed to be pre-SRS, starting or willing to start CHT, and professionally diagnosed with gender dysphoria. Researchers recorded hormone dosages and treatment lengths, and administered both the Symptom Checklist and the Body Uneasiness Test to assess levels of bodily distress. The study also included a pre-SRS control group that did not engage in CHT (Fisher et. al., 2014, p.
At the core of this stage we see the child begin to learn about other people around them and the roles they play, as children often learn by mimicking or copying they begin to do that with the same sex role models according to Freud, although in the modern world this is not so clear-cut as there are many single-sex parents and same-gender parents raising families, which back then would not have been accepted. However, as the child becomes more aware of their genitals they will become increasingly curious about sexual differences.
An eclectic use of both of these theories would enhance our understanding of gender development because it is important to understand that biology and socialization play a part in gender development. Hormones, sexual organs, culture, and society intertwine and make a child aware of his or her gender. A cognitive understanding does not suffice. For example, for parents who believe that culture, school, peers, and media influence their son or daughter to be transgender are incorrect. Both of these theories demonstrate that biologically their child was born with the awareness that they belong to a different sex; it is embedded in their chromosomes. Meanwhile, society simply enabled them to observe the gender roles and determine which gender they felt most comfortable in.