The Role of Sex and Gender in Transexuals

Essay # 116912

Gender and Sexuality > Gender Studies
Gender and Sexuality > Theories of Gender
Gender and Sexuality > Transgender

This paper examines the technology and sociology behind the transgendered community.

1,421 words () | 3 sources | APA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper first explores the origins and history of the technology that enabled one to transform his/her sexual identity. The paper also defines and makes distinctions between the social term, "gender," and the biological term, "sex." The paper then goes on to examine sexual psychology and the mental theories as to the determinants of one's sex. The paper finally discusses theories as to why certain individuals do not psychologically identify with the sex that was prenatally assigned to them and consequently choose to live as a different gender.

From the Paper:

"The 20th century marked the first time in history that technology could transform identity. Terms like transgender and transsexual could be realized through meticulous surgeries and understood by contemporary sexual revolutionary theories. However, the transsexual phenomenon was actually first conceptualized by Harry Benjamin during the latter part of the 19th century, with sexual reassignment surgeries having been performed since the 1920s in Europe. Benjamin described this syndrome as a condition where the brain develops one sex, but the body takes the appearance of another. And evidence of the syndrome only becomes apparent after the baby is born or through adolescence. Because of the vast array of research being done, sociologists still raise questions regarding what kind of role sex and gender play in transsexual identities. This also poses the question what is the difference between sex and gender and how it affects their personalities."

Sample of Sources Used:

Diamond, Milton. 2000. Sex and Gender: Same or Different? Hawaii University website. http://www.hawaii.edu/PCSS/online_artcls/intersex/sex_gender.html. December 11, 2007.
Friedman, Asia. 2006. Unintended Consequences. Genders Online.http://www.genders.org/g43/g43_friedman.html. December 11 2007.
2007. Harry Benjamin Syndrome Informational Resource. Harry Benjamin Syndrome info website. http://www.harrybenjaminsyndrome-info.org/. December 11 2007.

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Cite this paper

APA Citation:

The Role of Sex and Gender in Transexuals (2012, January 15). Retrieved February 13, 2012, from http://www.academon.com/Essay-The-Role-of-Sex-and-Gender-in-Transexuals/116912

MLA Citation:

"The Role of Sex and Gender in Transexuals" 15 January 2012. Web. 13 Feb. 2012. <http://www.academon.com/Essay-The-Role-of-Sex-and-Gender-in-Transexuals/116912>