Abstract A discussion of the human sexuality of cross-dressing as it relates to psychology. The paper investigates the findings published in several books and journals concerning cross-dressing. The research also focuses on the treatments that are available for individuals that cross-dress and their families. The paper begins by defining cross-dressing and the psychological factors that can lead to the behavior.
From the Paper "Defining Cross Dressing can be a rather arduous task because it is a complex subject. One of the main topics that come to mind when addressing the subject is gender identity. (Bullough) A book entitled, Cross Dressing, Sex and Gender, explains that gender identity ?is the total perception of the individual about his or her own gender. It includes a basic personal identity as a boy or girl, man or woman, as well as personal judgments about the individual's level of conformity to the societal norms of masculinity and femininity.? (Bullough). The author goes on to explain that gender roles or the way that men and women are seen in society, can also contribute to cross dressing behavior."
Abstract This paper examines how cross-dressing is an important element that renders serious repercussions in Shakespeare's plays. Two plays that emphasize cross-dressing and its repercussions are "Twelfth Night" and "As You Like It". The writer points out that, while the characters of Viola and Rosalind have very different reasons to explain their cross-dressing, each circumstance, while causing complications, also works in their behalf. It explains how their ability to fool those around them generates interest and adds an element of complexity to each play, namely, that each woman is able to accomplish something she would not have been able to do as a woman. Rosalind teaches Orlando the ways of love, and Viola makes her way into Orsino's house and heart.
From the Paper "In As You Like It, Rosalind is forced to assume to role of a man as a result of fleeing the Duke's Court and seeking refuge in the forest of Arden. Her logic stems from the fact that "beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold" (I.iii.107). She also believes that because she is "more common than tall" (I.iii.113), she could easily pass for a man. Rosalind also realizes that she must do more than dress for the occasion--she must also act the past. She declares that she will leave her fear in her heart and "have a swashing and a martial outside,/As many other mannish cowards have" (I.iii.117-8). Rosalind is forced to dress as a man but she also assumes the role with confidence and excitement."
Abstract Like all people, gay men express themselves by how they dress, and those members of the gay community who 'cross-dress' or dress 'in drag' are no exception. This paper examines how society viewed gay men in earlier days, beginning with the Berdeche of Pre-Columbian Native America, and continuing until the present day. It examines, in particular, cross-dressers and drag queens whose very act of dressing 'differently' is a symbol of pride in their unique sexuality.
From the Paper "Charles? style of cross-dressing is as "typical" of today's queens as is his devotion to the community and to his and other gay men's hard-won rights. The queen is not merely a simple copy of a heterosexual woman; rather she is a character that is at once uniquely gay in the fashions and attitudes she represents, and in the causes she espouses. Increasingly, even heterosexuals have come to see the deeper meanings behind what were once taboo images. Authors, artists, filmmakers, and those paragons of popular culture ? advertisers ? reach out to gay men in ways they never have before."
Abstract This paper examines how issues raised by cross-dressing and transgender identities in film are largely dependent on the way in which they are treated. It looks at how the mainstream cross-dressing comedy finds reasons to dismiss the potential danger of cross-dressing, while independent and foreign films such as "Ma Vie en Rose" and "All About My Mother" tend to offer a representation which is crude and possibly more accurate.
From the Paper "Tootsie also highlights the way in which women are treated in the workplace, as he learns submission as an actress who has to obey. He used to be hard to work with as an actor but as Dorothy Michaels, he has the door shut to his face by the director and is also refused a drink when the director just says 'no, no, she's fine'. Moreover, he says that he would hit the director if he wasn't dressed as a woman, which points out to the social boundaries and expectations of what a woman should do and should not do, mainly that women do not hit and men should not hit women."
Abstract This paper examines male homosexuality with an emphasis on cross-dressing. Perceptions of gays throughout history are presented, as well as a look at how gay men express themselves and how they are perceived by the heterosexual world. Individual accounts of cross-dressers are presented as well as a general look at this subculture. The tone of the article is very positive toward gays who cross-dress, encouraging openness and acceptance.
From the Paper "Once it has been genuinely adopted as a method of self-expression, cross-dressing can express a profound sense of personal and communal gay pride. The drag queen revels in her differentness from the heterosexual community, and at the same time, creates a style and a savoir vivre that is often the envy of those - both gay and straight - who do not possess the same amount of personal courage and sense of security in their own identities that enables the drag queen to so freely be herself. As much as the drag queen was once the stereotype par excellence of the gay man in the heterosexual mind, so now has this image been so completely taken up by the gay world that it can be used as a potent force for good in the community, and even beyond. If people like to look at you when you are wearing you best and most glittering gown, why not put all of that popularity to work for the public good? This was exactly what a man named Charles did in New York - the culmination of a long, and often painful processing of coming out, and at long last discovering his true identity."
Abstract This paper discusses how "Twelfth Night" is a powerful vehicle for teaching its audiences several important lessons and how the play draws people in because it is an entertaining romantic comedy, complete with cross-dressing and the titillating misunderstandings that derive from the cross-dressing. It argues that the lessons are made more accessible because they are conveyed by characters and actions in a romantic comedy, frequently in a comic way, than they would have been if the lessons were simply stated in a didactic way.
From the Paper "In Shakespeare's time, his plays provided entertainment and often comedy to people who had far less access to entertainment than we do in our time, with our highly commercialized and ubiquitous entertainment industry. His plays were therefore much enjoyed, and any lessons he intended were keenly listened to. This is the first reason why the comic antics portrayed in Twelfth Night would have been likely to communicate the lessons Shakespeare intended - simply because the play would have been so greatly enjoyed. It is a classic romantic comedy, dealing as it does with the never-failingly-interesting topic of romance, and providing the audience with a satisfying happy ending. "
Abstract This paper explains that the American Film Institute chose the film "Tootsie" as one of it's one hundred best movies of the 20th Century, not only because of the impeccable comic timing of the ensemble crew, but also because of the ironic content of the story. The author points out that the real irony in this movie comes from the fact that Michael (actor Dustin Hoffman's character), who must dress and act as a woman to get an acting job, at the beginning truly of the film believes himself to be a feminist and a man who understands women. The paper relates that the use of cross-dressing as a way to bring characters together and to change a character from that of mildly misogynistic to a more understanding of the feminine condition as seen in "Tootsie" also was used in Billy Wilder's "Some Like it Hot".
From the Paper "If you are not familiar with the movie, I will give a brief synopsis here. Dustin Hoffman plays an actor who has gotten the reputation of being difficult and is therefore finding it hard to get work. Living from paycheck to paycheck, he eventually ends up dressing as a woman, not necessarily to the a part but more in order to soothe his bruised ego and prove that he can play a woman as well (or better) than any woman can. To his surprise he gets the part, and intrigued by the challenge (as well as the regular money) the position will offer, and he becomes a very popular character on this daytime drama show."
Abstract This paper discusses cinema's representation of transvestism in films such as, "All About My Mother", "Ma Vie en Rose" and "Tootsie", to name just a few. Moreover, the expected reaction of audiences to, predominantly, men dressed as women, is explored. Furthermore, the reasons for cross-dressing within society is evaluated. Also, to critique these films in a scholarly manner, academics such as Yvonne Tasker, Richard Dyer and Stella Bruzzi are consulted and cited to strengthen and support this paper. Importantly, the reinforcement of gender codes and gender identity, through a persons clothing, is discussed and examined.
From the Paper "Bruzzi (1997 P.147) defines cross-dressing as, "The questioning and blurring of gender identities that occurs when characters do not wear the clothes deemed socially appropriate to their sex" while Stoller argues that "Transvestism should only refer to fetishistic cross-dressing and 'drag' is exclusively applied to cross-dressing as theatrical performance" (1985 P.176). In the mainstream cross-dressing comedy, the male dresses as a woman to generate comic effect based on the ridicule, whereas in the French film Ma Vie en Rose (Berliner; 1997), the implications of a little boy thinking he is a girl is explored, while All About My Mother provides us with a more accurate representation of the world of transvestites and transsexuals."
A discussion of the different roles of women in William Shakespeare's plays from young innocent girls to the phenomenon of cross-dressing in the comedies.
2,400 words (approx. 9.6 pages), 1 source, 2002, $ 89.95
Abstract This paper is about the position of women in Shakespeare's plays, specifically "As You Like It","Merchant of Venice","Coriolanus", and "Hamlet". It discusses how his female characters separate out into two different groups: young innocent girls approaching marriage, and older widows whom political ambition has gotten the better of. The phenomenon of cross-dressing in the comedies is addressed, and the conclusion states firmly that the marital status of any particular Shakespearian woman is a good indicator of her moral worth.
Abstract This paper examines the movie, "Billy Elliot" and how it counteracts and defies gender stereotypes through character presentation. It takes a critical look at the movie's representation of males in the realm of cross-dressing, wearing makeup, performing ballet/dance, loving relationships, etc. It also addresses themes such as homosexuality, homophobia, gender norms and sexual/gender identity.
From the Paper "Billy Elliot's story fits nicely with the common tale at the epicenter of human dreams -- any account of man finding his niche, his dream, of man overcoming the odds or letting passion control the outcome, appeals to our humanity and often fits into a nicely resolved package. "Billy Elliot" is exceptional because it takes such a common narrative and ties it in with an undercurrent of sexuality (and the defiance of social norms) that runs throughout the course of the movie. "
Abstract This paper, written in the form of a speech to the school body, examines the advantages and disadvantages of dress codes in schools. It cites a case study of a boy who wore his pyjamas to school and uses this as a catalyst in support of the writers argument to get rid of dress codes.
From the Paper "Good morning/afternoon, teachers and fellow students. I?m sure we all started today very similar to each other: we crawled out of bed after throwing our alarm clock at the wall ? puzzled as to why it still works after about a million confrontations with that wall ? we get dressed, grab a bite for breakfast ? or not ? and try not to miss our bus or the regular car pool. Am I right? Well, one person broke that routine one morning. His name is Daniel Lade and he's in tenth grade at Middleton High School. One morning he fronted up to school in wearing a full set of pyjamas! And they weren?t the flannel variety either which can pass for street wear. No, my friends, Daniel wore a full set of navy blue pyjamas covered in tiny stars. 2 days later, some of his fellow students wore their pyjamas to school. The principal of the school reprimanded Daniel for wearing his pyjamas to school but let the other students go because they were wearing the flannel variety and the principal saw nothing wrong with it. (Landry, 2001, 1) Do you believe that Daniel deserved the "dressing down" as it were or do you think it was unfair of the principal to intervene? I?ll come back to my question a little later in this presentation. Just hold that thought."
Abstract This paper presents an examination of the women's dress movement. It is a history of the changes in women's clothing over the years from the feminists who stopped wearing corsets to those who pioneered the acceptance of women wearing trousers in society. It changed forever the attitude that society had about women's obligation to look good regardless of the cost to comfort and health.
From the Paper "The 1870's brought movement to change the undergarment instead of fighting society on the outer garment(Foster, 1984). "Emancipation Waists" were invented to give relief from the corset while still providing shape for the women who wore them. By the 1890's the crinoline was history and skirts began to drag on the ground. This became impossible to deal with as they picked up all sorts of trash, debris and dirt as they dragged. Instead of returning to the undergarments that had been so intrusive in the past the women of the nation began to shorten the skirts. Because health consciousness was in style the skirt becoming shorter was accepted more readily than it otherwise might have been.
With Amelia Bloomer's suggestion that the Turkish trouser would be more comfortable and the later acceptance of shorter skirts the dress reform movement was well underway and today women wear whatever they want to wear."
Abstract Looking at any public school in the United States will reveal varying kinds of dress-related concerns and student identity issues. Many times these two issues are firmly linked. The paper shows that parents and students alike will offer the complaint, or the explanation, that school uniforms cause as many issues as they prevent, by interfering with identity formation. But other issues also exist in conjunction with clothing and identity formation. This paper briefly examines these concerns.
Abstract The paper maintains that Stott's book, "The Cross of Christ," is an important book. For those Christians who want to further explore the meaning behind the Cross and behind Christ's death, it is a thought-provoking resource. The paper explains how Stott makes a very good case for the Cross being more than simply important, but rather that it is a vital part of Christianity. Without the Cross, Stott argues that Christianity as we know it would not exist. The paper is of the opinion that after reading this book, it is difficult to argue with this perspective.
From the Paper "John R. W. Stott takes the position that the Cross is essential to Christianity. He makes his convincing argument by dividing the discussion into four parts, discussing the Cross as a symbol, the need for forgiveness, the spiritual benefits that the Cross has provided to believers and finally, on the practical and earthly teachings that the Cross can offer. Stott does not have all the answers on the subject of Christ's Cross. However, the book is a thoughtful and complex study offering suggestions on the subject of the Cross upon which Christ died. The Cross is important, Stott states, because it performs more than the single function of being the method of execution favored by the Romans."
Abstract This paper explains Wal-Mart's proprietary cross-docking system as part of a global supply chain management system. The paper describes advantages of the technique of cross-docking, how this innovation supports the replenishment of Wal-Mart stores.
From the Paper "Cross-docking is a relatively new and extremely effective technique used in global supply chain management. This technique can rapidly consolidate shipments from different sources and reduce the cost of outbound transportation by eliminating the inventory-holding function of a warehouse without hampering its consolidation and shipping functions. An important adjunct to the warehouse management systems now in use in many industries, Hill Fig cross-docking eliminates several intermediate steps in the warehousing process."
Tags:cross-docking, Wal-Mart, warehouse management system, global supply chain management
