Augelli And Grossman's The Ugly Duckling

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The Ugly Duckling, tells the story of a little duck born on a farm, who suffers emotional and verbal abuse, from his family and peers. Because of this abuse the duckling is depressed and feels unloved. The ugly duckling is being treated differently because he looks, acts and thinks different from all the other ducks on the farm. The duckling runs away in the hopes of better gaining acceptance in his self, while experiencing the pros and cons of society. Towards the end of the story the ugly duckling, finds love within himself and transforms from an ugly duckling to a beautiful swan; completing his transformation from transgender male to female. Transgender is a person whose gender identity does not correspond to that person’s biological sex …show more content…

Those who are gender nonconforming experience many pressures, both internal (e.g., confusion, isolation) and external (e.g., rejection, dis crimination, violence). These pressures increase as they reach adolescence and attempt to attain identity integration, while coping with body changes related to sexual maturation and physical growth (D’Augelli & Grossman, 2006, p.4). From my perspective, many transgender individuals are forced to choose between their biological gender and the gender they feel really suits them. Either male or female, these two gender categories are how people perceive you. Women are feminine and men are …show more content…

2191) Gender nonconformity and indications of male-to-female transgender identity, in particular, have been associated with psychological and even physical abuse from family members, schoolmates, coworkers, mental health professionals, substance abuse treatment providers, acquaintances, strangers, and the police. From my perspective, the individual is being isolation from society, because they are gender non-conformity. Because of society’s labels on transgender individuals they also face racism and transprejudice (Singh, 2012, p. 691). The increase in public awareness of gender related abuse and publicized cases of its apparent effects on suicidality and mental health functioning, among transgender women and broader gender-nonconforming populations (Nuttbrock & Bockting, 2014, 2191). Singh (2012, p. 691) survey research notes, (68%) felt concerned about their safety, as 87% had experienced verbal bullying, 53% had experienced physical bullying, and 26% were physically assaulted; 54% experienced hearing racist language from school staff and 23% from their peers. This has led to calls for antibullying policies in schools; gender sensitivity training for selected service providers and law enforcement personnel, and extensions; and better enforcement of hate crime statutes applicable to gender nonconformity (Nuttbrock & Bockting, 2014, p. 2191). These policies are put in place to help, people understand the complex ways that

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