Gender Dysphoria, Gender Identity Disorder (GID), or Transsexuality is the unease or general dissatisfaction with your sex or gender you were born with. Those who suffer with these disorders believe that the sex (biological function) they were born with does not match their gender (what behavior and ideology is learned and performed). A study in 1993 and in 1999 found that 1 in 11,000 men (0.009%) and 1 in 30,000 women (0.003%) suffer from or seek treatment for gender dysphoria (Bakker, van Kesteren, Gooren, & Bezemer, 1993; Cohen-Kettenis & Gooren, 1999). While there are both transgender females (Male to Female) and transgender males (Female to Male), there are almost 3 times more Male to Female than the opposite. The first transgender surgeries
…show more content…
Because of the stigmatization of transsexuality, this leads to an increase in violence and over-all unhappiness. Many of those that suffer with GID have experienced discrimination, harassment, violence, or medical neglect, before coming out as transgender, and after (Hume, Maggi). Even though this is the case, they still fully believe and realize that their identity is more important than their social status and acceptance. They find relief from living their “true” gender. And sometimes that is enough for them, just with hormone therapy and living like the opposite gender. But if they want to live fully like their opposite sex, they can undergo Gender Reassignment Surgery. For a Penile Inversion Surgery (Male to Female), it is about 5 hours and $20,000, and a Breast Augmentation is about 2 hours and $8,200 (thetransgendercenter.com). Full Male to Female transitions can be up to $100,000. Female to Male surgeries are much more complicated, because of having to remove ovaries, and construction of a penis and testicles. Gender Reassignment Surgery is not commonly paid for by health Insurances. The eligibility requirements for undergoing Transgender Surgery is the patient must be 18 years of age or older, they must be diagnosed with GID, have lived as the opposite sex for at least a year, and have had hormone therapy prior (Hume, Maggi). Many philosophers believe that people …show more content…
Yes, I do hold the belief that people have the right to do whatever they want if they believe will bring them happiness. And if changing your gender will do that, then so be it. But I think that most of the transsexuals seeking Gender Reassignment Surgery don’t fully understand or are aware of what they are getting themselves into. The facts are there, the statistics are there. Gender Identity Disorder is a real thing, in their brains. I do not believe that someone can be born in the wrong body, but I do believe that there is a psychological problem. If it is a hormone imbalance or just a psychological problem, it is real. It is very important to realize the pain and hopelessness that transgenders feel, and to try to set them free without any future feelings of regret. The suicidal rates for transgenders, not just those Post-Op Transgender Surgeries are very high. Children and Adolescents that suffer with GID are in very difficult situations, and must be addressed. What must be kept in mind are the brains of children and adolescents are always changing and developing, and while they must always feel loved and supported, rash decisions cannot be made. I hope to see more research, therapy, and hopefully a cure for Gender Identity Disorder in the
Because of the stigmatization of transsexuality, this leads to an increase in violence and over-all unhappiness. Many of those that suffer with GID have experienced discrimination, harassment, violence, or medical neglect, before coming out as transgender, and after (Hume, Maggi). Even though this is the case, they still fully believe and realize that their identity is more important than their social status and acceptance. They find relief from living their “true” gender. And sometimes that is enough for them, just with hormone therapy and living like the opposite gender. But if they want to live fully like their opposite sex, they can undergo Gender Reassignment Surgery. For a Penile Inversion Surgery (Male to Female), it is about 5 hours and $20,000, and a Breast Augmentation is about 2 hours and $8,200 (thetransgendercenter.com). Full Male to Female transitions can be up to $100,000. Female to Male surgeries are much more complicated, because of having to remove ovaries, and construction of a penis and testicles. Gender Reassignment Surgery is not commonly paid for by health Insurances. The eligibility requirements for undergoing Transgender Surgery is the patient must be 18 years of age or older, they must be diagnosed with GID, have lived as the opposite sex for at least a year, and have had hormone therapy prior (Hume, Maggi). Many philosophers believe that people …show more content…
Yes, I do hold the belief that people have the right to do whatever they want if they believe will bring them happiness. And if changing your gender will do that, then so be it. But I think that most of the transsexuals seeking Gender Reassignment Surgery don’t fully understand or are aware of what they are getting themselves into. The facts are there, the statistics are there. Gender Identity Disorder is a real thing, in their brains. I do not believe that someone can be born in the wrong body, but I do believe that there is a psychological problem. If it is a hormone imbalance or just a psychological problem, it is real. It is very important to realize the pain and hopelessness that transgenders feel, and to try to set them free without any future feelings of regret. The suicidal rates for transgenders, not just those Post-Op Transgender Surgeries are very high. Children and Adolescents that suffer with GID are in very difficult situations, and must be addressed. What must be kept in mind are the brains of children and adolescents are always changing and developing, and while they must always feel loved and supported, rash decisions cannot be made. I hope to see more research, therapy, and hopefully a cure for Gender Identity Disorder in the