Transgender Children Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Transgender Children - Research Paper ExampleThey ar transgendered children ABC News, 2007 The terms sex and /or gender are used loosely and interchangeably, in todays society, with respect to describing an individuals gender, despite the fact that both the words have a altogether different meaning, which is distinct from each other. The word sex refers to the biological categorization of an individual into antheral or fe potent gender, based on their reproductive organs. grammatical gender on the other hand, is more of a social construct, and is a term coined and used by the society to classify and describe an individual typically male or female, based on social gender descriptions of the two (Morrow & Messinger, 2006). One of the most common misconceptions with regard to the definition of the term gender as applied by the society, refers to the fact that it is an integral part of our existence and identities, and that it assigns social status to newly innate(p), at the time of their birth. The society as well as our surrounding environment such as parents, plays a key role in shaping and influencing our attitudes towards what constitute gender, and inculcate socially acceptable gender norms, by interactions with the children and is reflected in the type of toys or clothes bought for the male and the female child. Such behavior on the part of the childs immediate environment tends to tutor the appropriate and acceptable manner of leading their lives, and teaches them to behave in a gender appropriate manner. The term transgender as applied in contemporary society, is an comprehensive term which is used to describe individuals with gender identity issues, and presentment a non-conformist behavior / attitude with regard to the same, i.e., an individual, biologically born as a male tends to behave as a female trapped in a males body and vice versa (Morrow & Messinger, 2006). The transgender children often insist of being born in the wrong body (ABC News, 2 007). Research questions The key research questions addressed as a part of this study include What does it mean to be transgendered? What are the key causes behind such gender identity issues? Are there any cures for the same? But most of all this study aims to emphasize the solemness of the issue, and delve further into the complex social and psychological implications of transexualism and its impact on the children and those around them. In order to seek answers for the above listed questions, a qualitative research method - secondary data analysis, is used, whereby data from academic and clinical journals, books, and other primary resources such as government websites and newspapers are used. 2. Literature review 2.1. reasonableness Transgender Children The term Transgender refers to people who have serious gender identity issues and have difficulty associating and correlating with the biological sex they are born with. Such individuals do not suffer from any genetic abnormali ties (Lee & Houk, 2006). Transgender children suffer from gender identity issues wherein the boys are often seen more comfortable with associating themselves with girls, dress like them and even play with dolls, display stereotypical feminine traits and vice versa (Brill & Pepper 2008). Research indicates that children normally begin to develop gender identity around the age of three years (Cohen-Hettenis & Arrindell, 1990. This possibleness holds true even in case of transgender child