moonshadow wrote:whorton wrote:2. The other matter is that since the explosion of Transgenderism, we now have a majority of "former" crossdressers coming out as Transgender instead of Crossdressing.
I'm sorry, but this line brought out a bit of a chuckle in me just by the way it's worded. It seems like you're ranting about people "switching teams"...
Nah... seriously, I suspect the biggest reason for your observation is the crossdressers you speak of, with the more welcoming social climate in regards to transgender rights have just reconciled their inner self and realized they were transgender all along.
I'm not entirely sure that's necessarily true, Moon. Consider the possibility of somebody who "crossdresses" and has opened up about it and sought help to understand themselves; they eventually reach their doctor or a psychologist or psychiatrist. Within those consultations there is much exploration "guided" by the professional; that guidance being only as good as the practitioner and their experience in such matters. What if the practitioner has the same influences of "western societal norms" that they equate the "crossdressing" with being on the sliding transgender spectrum? Is the patient now "finding themselves" or being "guided" into a
societally acceptable box?
I also question why MtF transgender outnumbers FtM so significantly. It might be increases in certain hormone (oestrogen) levels in the environment having an effect upon the individual, in which case there are surely tests that can be undertaken; but, is it also possible that this is now the "favoured" analysis as to why somebody would choose certain clothing, i.e. skirts, dresses, high heels, etc?
I accept that there might be a proportional difference between MtF and FtM but I'm not convinced that the numbers, as they stand in western societies, "stack up".
moonshadow wrote:whorton wrote:People need to step back from the hoopla, realize that no matter what they do, they still have an X and a Y chromosome.
Its not always that simple...
Agreed, there are complexities in anything and everything "human"; but do the "professionals"
look for something more than is truly necessary?
moonshadow wrote:whorton wrote: They will never be the gorgeous 25, or 35, or whatever age of women they envy.
Not sure if I agree with that. There is beauty is just about everyone.
I know what you mean, Moon; inner beauty. Also, that happiness and contentment inside make the outside more harmonious; whereas sadness and anguish can make the "prettiest" contort into ugly.
moonshadow wrote:whorton wrote:I am not disparaging Transgender people, just that they consider carefully what their ultimate goal is.
I'm sure it occupies much of their mental energy. I don't think being transgender is something that one comes up with over night.
I understand your angst man, but I'd stand down a little, you're painting an awful lot of people with a very simple brush. Also, note that not all transgender people undergo sex reassignment surgery. Most can't afford it. A good many are homeless and unemployed. Many also don't take hormones either for the same reasons, or just because they don't want to. It's all very personal.
I also agree here that when it comes to individuals it is rare that things are simple; we are all complex beings with complex personalities.
But, what if the individual succumbs to external societal pressures that their "choices" are not normal? What if, for no more arbitrary reason than "society expects", the individual is "boxed" into transgender?
All of these pressures might actually exacerbate the individuals' problems rather than help them to their solution. So, now let's add in employment, both finding and maintaining; security (roof overhead); relationships - both close and extended.
Nothing is stronger than its "weakest link"; we each
need a certain level of support to function normally. I find it curious that those closest to us are often the least accepting of revelations (I use that word as opposed to changes since it seems most male "crossdressers" have had an "interest" from early years, it's just that we've kept it hidden because of fabricated societal conventions).
This is an area where we can benefit from the tolerance and acceptance gained by the LGBT community, even though we are "none of the above"; however, the problem is
how to tap into that support without becoming "one of the above".