For no sum of money would I agree to repeat high school. Blessed with a heavy dose of femininity and absolutely no athleticism, my enrollment in an all-boys Catholic prep school seemed less like a privilege and more akin to a sick joke. Having bumped into my former classmates over the years, I know most memories are tied to my coming out senior year, but it was not about being the first openly gay student, and instead was done in hope that my confirmation would end the incessant need for calling me a “faggot”. Under the pain, you can find some good memories peppered in there, like my participation in Speech and Debate, which, alongside glee, band, and the robotics club, offered solace, as there was an implicit “No Bullies Allowed” rule. Here …show more content…
The same children we ask to place faith in honesty and to mind the Golden Rule are given an ultimatum: deny the truth your gender identity to conform with normative gender roles, or, if you fail in living a lie, you will be confronted with a system stacked against you. Even those with a confirmative gender can attest to hardships of the formative years, as a bully isn’t satisfied to pick on the extremes but will always go for the easiest target, but, for a moment, try to picture your child-self, and imagine piling on this level of rejection and harassment by your peers, school administration, and even your family. No wonder more than 50% of transgender youth have had at least one suicide attempt by their 20th birthday.
Again, I don’t know exactly what Brockington deemed, or any other transgender victim of suicide, sufficient enough to arrive at that fateful decision, but it doesn’t require an inordinate amount of empathy to see how without a paradigmatic shift, the failings of our system will always provide for the same result. In the words of William Shakespeare, “If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not
Many transgender people lived in dysfunctional families when they were young. The support becomes vital for the wellbeing of kids. In her book Redefining Realness by Janet Mock, recaps the importance of support from Michelle his cousin, who kept in secrets of gender dysphoria of Charles (Keisha) by saying “‘Pinkie –swear you won’t tell your mom’…She’d keep the secret my secret because I was her favorite cousin” (Mook 76). Michelle, kept Keisha’s secret by allowing her to use her swimming clothes. Michelle shows the importance of support from relatives. This is a fundamental factor that might help with the development of her gender identity. Many transgender people may feel a relief at the time to disclose their identity. When transition is in progress the support from friends and families becomes important because, many transgender people might suffer if they lack support. Many transgender people seem depressed because they are rejected by society. Janet Mock, relates how Wendi, support Charles, by making him feel comfortable, saying “Wendi and I grew inseparable trough middle school, a bond that would link us for the rest of our lives. Through association, my class –mates learned that I was like Wendi-who hadn’t yet adopted any labels to describe her shifting self” (Mook 107). In most cases transgender people’s acquaintances can be referred as transgender people just by friendship. The association makes transgender people to gain confidence about their gender identity. The support from groups or friends makes transgender people feel that they are accepted and not alone. Support from friends might urge transgender people to come out the “closet” and reveal their gender identity to gain respect among society. The support from friends is important, but family support seems to be the most important. When families do not support transgender people it causes a hostile environment that may suppress
Caitlyn Jenner has plans to tell her story in a new memoir that she is working on. According to Koco, Jan. 19, 2016, Caitlyn just signed a book deal with Grand Central Publishing, which is scheduled to come out in the spring of 2017.
Exhilarated screams and contagious laughter pierce the air. The squeaking and screeching of the rusty old gate travel throughout the playground, as I tower towards it. Sprinting down the crumbly old path, leading to the sand court. There are crowds and clusters of children everywhere. The wind twisting and gusting throughout the awkward side bangs and awful bob haircuts. Recess was by far the most exciting and adventurous part of my second-grade life. Spotting my best friend, Lydia, out of the mass of children, I frantically run up to her and ask her to play Newcomb with me. Newcomb was the best recess game to me, simply because it always had the cutest boys. Lydia immediately replies with complete agreement.
Seventy-three transgender children who were allowed to express their gender identity freely, forty-nine of their siblings and seventy-three non-transgender children were involved in the study. None of the transgender children had taken hormone, but they lived freely to express their gender identity. The study measured anxiety and depression levels. For depression levels all the numbers were almost all the same. Anxiety levels for all the children varied. Transgender children had higher levels of depression and anxiety than the siblings or non-transgender children, but the variables were only one or two numbers more. These transgender children were relatively happy with their lives as they were able to live with the gender identity they wanted. Letting transgender live the identity they feel comfortable can improve their mental health in the long run. (“Transgender
For most people, the idea of Transgenders is new and complicated. Because the idea is so fresh, many adults struggle with how to address this topic to the children because they lack knowledge
Puberty is a difficult time for any child, but for transgender teens, it can be the difference between becoming who they want to be or remaining in the wrong body. In June of this year, PBS Frontline released a documentary, entitled Growing Up Trans, which chronicled the lives of eight transgender and nonbinary children, from the ages of 9 to 19, as they navigated through the process of transitioning to their prefered genders. Some of the kids took hormone blockers to slow down their puberty, others were going through puberty at the time and wanted to transition before it was complete, and one had already gone through puberty and was still taking hormones to transition. The controversy revolving around the documentary focused on whether or
Each day, a new abundance of transgenders are finally identifying as their true self. Even though nothing can stop this flow of transgenders, an accepting, loving, and safe society can encourage more of these individuals to be who they truly are. Instead of shaming these human beings for who they are, our generation needs to worry about our own decisions, and learn to embrace and accept others’ decisions. Truly, this is a problem. Just as anyone else, transgenders deserve to feel safe, accepted, and comfortable at home, school, work, and where they choose to go. After all, we are all human beings,
In today's world there are many different sexual identities a person can adhere to, instead of just being heterosexual or homosexual. What a sexual identity is, is how one refers to think of oneself in terms of whom one is romantically or sexually attracted to. A type of sexual identity is when a person both male or female feel like they are inside the wrong body and they wish to have a sex change. Individuals who identify themselves as transgender aren’t usually adults, in some cases it is children who go through the stages of feeling out of place with there bodies and wish to change it. Some people in today's society would find it very odd that children would wish to be in a different body, in order to understand why this is happening you would have to know what exactly is transgender and transsexual, what causes transgenderism, and the early signs of transgenderism. This phenomenon has been around for a very long time and due to the fact that there is a large misunderstanding there is much confusion when faced with it. In order for one to understand how children become transgender or transsexual one must know what transgender and transsexual mean, what causes transgenderism, and the early signs of it and be mentally prepared for what is to come. Most of the responsibility in understanding transgender children falls on the parents of transgender children.
There are many issues that arise for transgender individuals, particularly those effecting one’s emotional and psychological state.
Bilodeau, B. (2003, October). Genderqueer: Understanding transgender student identities. Presented at the American Educational Research Association Research on Women in Education Annual Conference, Knoxville, TN.
About eight decades ago, the United States Constitution granted American women the right to vote. During the same era, only men ran for office and decided what is best for American citizens. Many females in the world today are becoming politicians. Today, many women will consider running for local offices in their communities. The “Women Rights” article states “women were excluded from the electoral process for more than 140 years”. The “Women Rights” article also states that women did not have the opportunity to attend college. Women in their communities are considering running for president, commissioner, secretary, etc. American citizens will decide who should hold office. The three reasons why I believe women should consider politics are
Domestic violence is an issue that has affected many people regardless of age, race, or gender. The seriousness of it can vary dramatically. Domestic violence is the intentional intent to physically and/or sexually assault, batter, or has abusive tendencies against a sibling, parent, child (ren), or domestic partner. The overwhelming emotional, psychological, and physical ramifications of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime. Bringing an end to abuse is not a matter of the victim choosing to leave; but the victim being able to evade their abuser safely. Establishing, I Choose Life Organization, gives those victims a safe haven to get back that confidence and self-respect that they lost due to their abuser.
Starting from hundreds and thousands ago gender inequality exists. Some would point out that there is not any gender inequality around us, but there are. For this paper, I am going to write about gender inequality. First, I would attach an argument from articles. However, I would object the articles and provide an explanation for my objection. Then, I would consider a response of my objection and reject the objection.
Women have fought through torture, blood, sweat, and tears to help women stand strong in our
There is constantly cessation why women and men cohabitate, nurture, desire, and endure. Many shrug the similarities and differences to the side due to the complex nature that is involved in understanding the progression. Since the beginning of time, according to the bible, man was placed as the dominant sex, fending for the families well being. The woman has tended to the important jobs around the homestead as situations arose. Often in society, one will find himself in a battle depending on the views of the receiving recipients. Following is a dialogue explaining a safe and metro sexual view as a general whole.