Exploiting the Stereotypes
by Raven Usher
Everyone has something that is expected of them. When those expectations are generalized and imposed upon a group of similar people they become one of two things; either a societal norm or a stereotype. It is in the gray area where stereotype and societal norm overlap that transsexuals achieve the magic of a passing transition.
For the transsexual, the first part of transitioning is identifying the stereotypes and norms or the gender they aim to achieve. These include: current fashion, hair styles, mannerisms, speech patterns, behavioral dictates and popular body image. Some of these are norms that are flexible and will change time and time again through out the course of our lives. Others are stereotypes that persist regardless of how fervently some people tilt against them.
It is these unwavering stereotypical images that transsexuals exploit to achieve a successful transition. But why? Why strive to achieve stereotyped imagery in a world where so many fight to break down those very barriers?
Because they are unconscious markers of recognition.
The sight of large breasts and round hips triggers an unconscious judgment that the person sporting them is female. The sight of facial hair and broad shoulders are markers of a male. Smooth shaven legs - female. Hairy legs - male. There is a host of these unconscious markers that we, as human beings, key on every day. They influence our impression of other people as well as the way we react to them and act towards them.
Some of these markers are biological. They concern body shape. The soft curves of a woman opposed to the hard lines of a man. To achieve these markers transsexuals subject themselves to years of medications and numerous medical procedures. This is the level that surgical alteration of genitalia comes into play.
Some of these markers are of physical appearance. They concern body image. Long hair, make-up and long painted nails for women opposed to shorter hair, short cropped nails and a face free of colorization for men. To achieve these markers transsexuals need only the patience and will power to allow hair and finger nails to grow and the knowledge of how to make them stylish.
Some of these makers are societal. They concern fashion sense. High heels, skirts and plunging necklines for women opposed to three piece suits and neck ties for men. To achieve these transsexuals only have to keep up with current fashion and have money to go on a few shopping trips.
Some of these markers are behavioral. They concern how a person conducts themselves both in personal presentation and in mannerism. These are the most difficult markers to achieve. Indeed they are the markers that are most often responsible for a transsexual being read. For the average person these markers are unconscious. They are things so subtle that they include the gait at which a person walks.
Go to a public place and watch people’s feet. Men’s feet follow a bi-linear path where women’s feet follow a mono-linear path. This is connected to body shape. The different gaits develop naturally as we learn to walk and our bodies develop. Most people do not even think about it. They just walk.
That is the big trick of a transsexual transition. Thinking about what nobody thinks about. Consciously controlling the little details that everyone else does unconsciously. It is willfully taking on the stereotypes that are imposed upon others and then outwardly presenting reactions to those same stereotypes that mimic the reactions of the people who have the stereotypes imposed upon them.
It is a neat trick. And the way you know it has been pulled off correctly is that no one knows they are seeing it.
Blessed Be
by Raven Usher
Everyone has something that is expected of them. When those expectations are generalized and imposed upon a group of similar people they become one of two things; either a societal norm or a stereotype. It is in the gray area where stereotype and societal norm overlap that transsexuals achieve the magic of a passing transition.
For the transsexual, the first part of transitioning is identifying the stereotypes and norms or the gender they aim to achieve. These include: current fashion, hair styles, mannerisms, speech patterns, behavioral dictates and popular body image. Some of these are norms that are flexible and will change time and time again through out the course of our lives. Others are stereotypes that persist regardless of how fervently some people tilt against them.
It is these unwavering stereotypical images that transsexuals exploit to achieve a successful transition. But why? Why strive to achieve stereotyped imagery in a world where so many fight to break down those very barriers?
Because they are unconscious markers of recognition.
The sight of large breasts and round hips triggers an unconscious judgment that the person sporting them is female. The sight of facial hair and broad shoulders are markers of a male. Smooth shaven legs - female. Hairy legs - male. There is a host of these unconscious markers that we, as human beings, key on every day. They influence our impression of other people as well as the way we react to them and act towards them.
Some of these markers are biological. They concern body shape. The soft curves of a woman opposed to the hard lines of a man. To achieve these markers transsexuals subject themselves to years of medications and numerous medical procedures. This is the level that surgical alteration of genitalia comes into play.
Some of these markers are of physical appearance. They concern body image. Long hair, make-up and long painted nails for women opposed to shorter hair, short cropped nails and a face free of colorization for men. To achieve these markers transsexuals need only the patience and will power to allow hair and finger nails to grow and the knowledge of how to make them stylish.
Some of these makers are societal. They concern fashion sense. High heels, skirts and plunging necklines for women opposed to three piece suits and neck ties for men. To achieve these transsexuals only have to keep up with current fashion and have money to go on a few shopping trips.
Some of these markers are behavioral. They concern how a person conducts themselves both in personal presentation and in mannerism. These are the most difficult markers to achieve. Indeed they are the markers that are most often responsible for a transsexual being read. For the average person these markers are unconscious. They are things so subtle that they include the gait at which a person walks.
Go to a public place and watch people’s feet. Men’s feet follow a bi-linear path where women’s feet follow a mono-linear path. This is connected to body shape. The different gaits develop naturally as we learn to walk and our bodies develop. Most people do not even think about it. They just walk.
That is the big trick of a transsexual transition. Thinking about what nobody thinks about. Consciously controlling the little details that everyone else does unconsciously. It is willfully taking on the stereotypes that are imposed upon others and then outwardly presenting reactions to those same stereotypes that mimic the reactions of the people who have the stereotypes imposed upon them.
It is a neat trick. And the way you know it has been pulled off correctly is that no one knows they are seeing it.
Blessed Be
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