Transsexuals

= Transsexualism  =

**Transsexualism** A circumstance which has an individual feeling disconnected from their sex and their gender identification. Most are not aware of the distinction between sex and gender. According to sexual communication lecture, sex is biological, physical and genetic classifications of male and female. Gender is concerned with roles we portray as a consequent of society. Children learn gender roles at a very early age and are mostly influenced by the interactions they witness from mom and dad. (Witt 1997) The disconnect between sex and gender partially defines transsexualism. Transsexual men and women want to be seen as the opposite sex. They want to be either viewed as a female if they are male or male if they are female. These individuals want to adopt the physical and social characteristics of their desired gender. (Pasaricha, Naanki, Dacakis, Georgia, Oates, Jenni,2008) **Challenges** THe obvious challenge with transsexualism is the communication of the emotions. Interpersonal communication becomes and issue when a person has these desires. The breakdown in interpersonal relationships is due to the lack of accept ance by our mainstream and the biased set gender roles each sex is restricted to. ( Pasaricha, Naanki, Dacakis, Georgia, Oates, Jenni,2008) Other foreseeable obstacles would be sexually related. The sexual experience may not be satisfying when most individuals who relate to the societal gender roles are not willing to enter into relationships or sexual experiences with transsexual individuals. With relationships most people are also stigmatized into believing the worst about the sexual health of these individuals. Ideas of poor sexual safety practices running rampant in peoples minds adds to the challenge of leading a open life in society. In the lives of those who decide to undergo sexual change to identify and live out the desired gender role there is the obstacle of being accepted by your social group if they are not supportive of this change. Many people are so invested in the mind of how men and women are supposed to act they forget to focus on the happiness of the individual. For a society to deny the legitimacy of transsexual characteristics is fundamentally wrong. These challenges do not stand without available resources and ways to deal with the struggles of gender and sex change. **Strategies** There are ways to deal with the difficulties encountered from a communication and emotional stand. For those who decide to undergo the sexual change there are speech pathologist who work to help them sound more masculine or feminine. Obtaining female communicative behaviors is crucial to male-to-female transsexuals’ ability to successfully fulfill their desired gender role. ( Pasaricha, Naanki, Dacakis, Georgia, Oates, Jenni,2008) The pathologist focus primarily on an increase in pitch because it is seen to be one of the key identifying features than can expose an individual’s biological gender. During these sessions with the pathologist they conduct surveys with listeners to determine if there is an increase in pitch or femininity. The voice lessons with this change in gender aids in the overall satisfaction of the male-to-female participant. Attending support groups for individuals who have recently come out is another great supportive method. (McCauley,Elizabeth, Ehrhardt, Anke A., 1977) These support groups allows people to communicate with individuals going through and who have been through the same experiences. Participants gain the sense of society they need to aid in the transition process. They learn how to deal with the disapproval from family and friends as a result to their change. The stigmas associated with sexual health can be combated through better communication practices with the LGBT community. We learn cultural norms from from a number of sources including the character portrayals through media. Accurately representing these groups as more than just individuals who are sick from having sex with each other and who spread a plague of infection would greatly influence how sexual relationships are carried out. It has been shown transsexual and gay individuals are more prone to verbal and physical abuse. (Erich, Stephen, 2010) Even implementing better learning strategies at a younger age would be a good idea. Children learn gender roles at a young age and begin to show biases toward what is and is not acceptable. (Witt 1997) We should teach them to be accepting with of all gender types by not limiting there ability to express feelings and emotions. **Summary** Transsexualism is the disconnect between sex and gender. Society does not understand or accept the transsexual life style yet and because of this communication between the two communities struggle. The LGBT community and more specifically transsexuals face many challenges in coming out and being at peace with their desires. These challenges however difficult they may be are met with strategies to help ease the burden of the transition process. If mainstream society worked on how they interacted with the LGBT community we could rid ourselves of needless violence and the barrier of communication which exists. **References** Erich, Stephen, Initials. (2010). Transsexuals of color: perceptions of discrimination based on transsexual status and race/ethnicity status.. Houston, TX: Journal of GLBT Studies.

McCauley,Elizabeth, Ehrhardt, Anke A., Initials. (1977). Role expectations and definitions: a comparison of female transsexuals and lesbians.. Buffalo, NY: Journal of Homosexuality.

Pasaricha, Naanki, Dacakis, Georgia, Oates, Jenni, Initials. (2008). Communicative satisfaction of male-to-female transsexuals.. Victoria, Australia: Logopedics Phoniatrics Vocology.

Kosenko, Kami A., Initials. (2010). Meanings and dilemmas of sexual safety and communication for transgender individuals.. Charlotte, North Carolina: Health Communication.

Witt, Susan, Initials. (1997). Parental influence on children's socialization to gender roles. Akron, Ohio: School of Home Economics and Family Ecology.