SOCY 1101 - Intro to Sociology Assignment #3: Transgender Identity and Etiology

 

3^rd Assignment:

Tey Meadow points out families with transgender kids use different mechanisms to reaffirm their kid's transgender identity. These mechanisms are secular spirituality, psychology, and medicine. Choose one of these mechanisms and explain it.

The biomedical concept of gender is a fascinating subject of interest for transgender children. On one hand, the biomedical approach is often seen as traditional and conservative. It focuses on the clear dichotomy between men and women since birth and presents the gender differences through indisputable scientific fact. On the other hand, science provides the same scientific findings and facts to explain why people are transgender, legitimizing the existence of transgender individuals.

 

In essence, the biomedical approach is a double-edged sword. While the approach provides the most concrete explanation for the existence of transgendered individuals through facts, it also places the status of transgender into the same category as medical disorders. Explaining transgender roles through such a mindset runs the risk of stigmatizing transgender children as "broken" or "sick" individuals that need to be "fixed." It is no wonder why the current LGBT movement views scientific institutions with suspicion.

 

In the case of the reading, Tey Meadow presents the case of Sarah and her child Sam. Sam preferred dresses and displayed feminine tendencies. However, the treatment of his celiacs disease led to a sudden shift in his behavior towards more masculine traits. Doctors linked the inflammation from celiacs to testosterone suppression causing said behavior in Sam. This case then raises the question: can transgender behavior be a result of an actual disease? If so to how many does this pertain to?

 

More conclusive evidence is needed besides this one example as there is still significant debate over whether or not transgender behavior is a result of innate genes or environment (nature v nurture debate).

3^rd Assignment Discussions

Khang An Nguyen

Sam's case also opens up the scientific discussion about the etiology of transgender children. Are the transgender actions a result of genetic dispositions (nature) or the result of environmental effects (nurture)? Of these environmental effects, how many are the result of "curable" diseases and how many are the result of psychological behavior. This further opens up another can of worms in regards to whether people are "born this way" or learn through social experience.

Satifa Plass

The psychological aspect of transgender identity touches on perhaps one of the most important differences between the biomedical model and the other models. Unlike the solid facts and indisputable truths of the biomedical approach, the psychological and spiritual approach takes into account the behavioral and social aspects of transgender life. They look to gain the trust of children so they can develop in peace without the constant strain of behavioral interactions. Sean was able to form a solid bond of trust with Michael allowing for improvements in mental health and overall improvements with behavior. Sadly, that was nearly completely destroyed by CPS when they forcibly took Michael away.