Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence in an Urban Context

                Until I saw the 20/20 special, My Secret Self: A Story of Transgender  Children, I never really knew or understand what being transgendered was. It was able to approach a very controversial topic with little bias and explain the mindset of someone who is diagnosed with gender identity disorder. As children grow up, they assume a gender identity that fits with the sex they were born with. Society enforces the establishment of gender identity by providing certain guidelines as to how each gender should dress and what they should play with. In some cases however, children strongly believe they were born into the wrong sex and assume that role much to the dissatisfaction of society. The documentary tells of a 5 year old boy, Jaz, who is one of the youngest documented cases of transformation. From a young age he made it clear that he wanted to be a girl and would often dress like one. Although his parent knew it might not be a phase, they were in somewhat of a denial as to what was happening. Insisting that he was a girl, Jaz would often correct people when they use the “he” pronoun. He also insisted that he will become a female in the future. His parent then made the decision to announce to the world that their son had become their daughter.

            Individuals with gender identify disorder have intense feelings of distress about their condition and have problems adjusting to social functioning. They are often shunned from society for being different. Parent who provide positive acceptance of their children’s lifestyle are often criticized for instigating their child to follow this path. Although by the age of two, children have already begun distinguishing their gender identity, most people believe that children at the age of around 5 are too young to make such a dramatic change. Perhaps if parent find out about their children condition at a young age and allow them to change, the distress would not be as intense. The child could obviously not get a gender realignment surgery, however they still grow up into a more accepting community and would not have to hide or be ashamed of their identity.

            I never understood the extra effort transgendered individuals have to permanently change their gender by any means necessary. Either by hormone pills or even self-castration the transition is hard. I think I can understand the distress and anxiety of being different. The idea that it wasn’t their fault they are like that, and yet have to go through unnecessary suffering just so they can be who they are. As the ignorance in the world beings to slow down, and people are more educated about the topic, perhaps transgendered can finally be accepted.

http://youtu.be/Utpam0IGYac