(no subject)
Some thoughts on implications of the transbody. Disclaimer, this is not based in substantial personal experience of being trans and I hope does not offend anyone. I obviously don't speak on every experience out there; just merely musing/synthesizing from some experiences I've heard.
There's some understanding, within the trans community (I think) and sometimes outside of it, that transpersons undergo body modification to whatever extend in order to feel somewhat more comfortable in their bodies; perhaps they want to have their gender accurately read, protest gender as a construct, or hate their reflection less. There are many reasons for these modifications, and increasingly it is understood, at least amongst queer and other marginalized communities, that these reasons are valid and important. Transpeople who desire these changes should have access to them or risk suffering huge emotional and social challenges that could prove destructive. The transbody moves towards comfort. For some bodies the comfort is established after non-physically-invasive changes in lifestyle. Others may constantly be moving towards comfort, but not obtain it because our current surgical and hormonal techniques may not result in the desired functionality and status of the body.
In many ways, this transbody striving for comfort validates the many cis-gendered bodies working for the same goal. It validates the people getting all kinds of plastic surgery so that their bodies can better reflect their self-image and self-desire, can cause less anxiety. Often queers scoff at the plastic-surgeried MILF, but why? Why do we often dismiss those desires to be comfortable in one's body? Is it just because in this desire we see the patriarchal system pressuring women towards an unobtainable goal?
But to a certain extent, some transbodies are also responding to a patriarchal pressure. Moreover, we (in the queer community, although certainly not in the larger world community) don't question any transperson about whether their transition is in response or desire to conform to the patriarchal norms. Perhaps the transbody automatically has the status of outside the patriarchy by virtue of being trans. If there were no gendered-patriarchal standards would there be a transbody? Could such a concept exist without the other if it forms in opposition to it? I guess this is kind of a chicken vs egg question. It's similar to the Buddhist theory that because one knows one exists only in relativity and reflection to the objects and others around us, then the things that reflect and relate to us are part of us. There are many smarter people who've spent many more hours thinking about this than I have; maybe I ought to just read what's been written.
There are cases when it isn't so clear cut whether the person wishing to change their body is responding to a patriarchal pressure. Now this isn't often the best way to approach a query like this, but I'm going to use a personal example. My body is what most people would consider stereotypical. Ok, maybe I could use 4 more inches, but I have large breasts, am generally well-proportioned, and overall fit well into a typical patriarchal fantasy. While I've learned to live with this body and to a large extent use it well, it's certainly not my idealized self-image. Where does my ideal image come from? Is it my experience with queers that pressures me in a different way? Maybe it does have something to do with gender, I'm not sure, but my idealized self is at least two inches taller, flat(ter) chested, kinda stick figured, and androgynous. My body is anything but. So I've spent my life buying clothing and shopping for a body that does not fit my desired body. I could theoretically buy clothing that would fit my self-image, but it would just remind me of the inadequacy of the body that I do have to fit the bill. So I use what I have to at least look attractive in some standard although maybe not in the way I want to look attractive.
Does it affect my confidence, my anxiety? Sure, in some ways. It's not debilitating, but neither are some pre-modification transbodies. Yet, the transbody in some ways validates my desire to change my body to fit my self image. It presents my desired body as something that ought to be attainable. Instead of dismissing the dream, I am contemplating why should it not be a reality? Of course there are many road blocks, things that I will probably never tackle - like finances and the loss of sensation in certain places through surgery. But like many marginilized movements, the transbody is managing to affirm the desired bodies of the cis-gendered.
Anyway, just some random musings. I'd like to hear what other's have to say on the matter. This is, unfortunately, rather disorganized. I apologize - being out of school for three months has turned my brain to mush.
There's some understanding, within the trans community (I think) and sometimes outside of it, that transpersons undergo body modification to whatever extend in order to feel somewhat more comfortable in their bodies; perhaps they want to have their gender accurately read, protest gender as a construct, or hate their reflection less. There are many reasons for these modifications, and increasingly it is understood, at least amongst queer and other marginalized communities, that these reasons are valid and important. Transpeople who desire these changes should have access to them or risk suffering huge emotional and social challenges that could prove destructive. The transbody moves towards comfort. For some bodies the comfort is established after non-physically-invasive changes in lifestyle. Others may constantly be moving towards comfort, but not obtain it because our current surgical and hormonal techniques may not result in the desired functionality and status of the body.
In many ways, this transbody striving for comfort validates the many cis-gendered bodies working for the same goal. It validates the people getting all kinds of plastic surgery so that their bodies can better reflect their self-image and self-desire, can cause less anxiety. Often queers scoff at the plastic-surgeried MILF, but why? Why do we often dismiss those desires to be comfortable in one's body? Is it just because in this desire we see the patriarchal system pressuring women towards an unobtainable goal?
But to a certain extent, some transbodies are also responding to a patriarchal pressure. Moreover, we (in the queer community, although certainly not in the larger world community) don't question any transperson about whether their transition is in response or desire to conform to the patriarchal norms. Perhaps the transbody automatically has the status of outside the patriarchy by virtue of being trans. If there were no gendered-patriarchal standards would there be a transbody? Could such a concept exist without the other if it forms in opposition to it? I guess this is kind of a chicken vs egg question. It's similar to the Buddhist theory that because one knows one exists only in relativity and reflection to the objects and others around us, then the things that reflect and relate to us are part of us. There are many smarter people who've spent many more hours thinking about this than I have; maybe I ought to just read what's been written.
There are cases when it isn't so clear cut whether the person wishing to change their body is responding to a patriarchal pressure. Now this isn't often the best way to approach a query like this, but I'm going to use a personal example. My body is what most people would consider stereotypical. Ok, maybe I could use 4 more inches, but I have large breasts, am generally well-proportioned, and overall fit well into a typical patriarchal fantasy. While I've learned to live with this body and to a large extent use it well, it's certainly not my idealized self-image. Where does my ideal image come from? Is it my experience with queers that pressures me in a different way? Maybe it does have something to do with gender, I'm not sure, but my idealized self is at least two inches taller, flat(ter) chested, kinda stick figured, and androgynous. My body is anything but. So I've spent my life buying clothing and shopping for a body that does not fit my desired body. I could theoretically buy clothing that would fit my self-image, but it would just remind me of the inadequacy of the body that I do have to fit the bill. So I use what I have to at least look attractive in some standard although maybe not in the way I want to look attractive.
Does it affect my confidence, my anxiety? Sure, in some ways. It's not debilitating, but neither are some pre-modification transbodies. Yet, the transbody in some ways validates my desire to change my body to fit my self image. It presents my desired body as something that ought to be attainable. Instead of dismissing the dream, I am contemplating why should it not be a reality? Of course there are many road blocks, things that I will probably never tackle - like finances and the loss of sensation in certain places through surgery. But like many marginilized movements, the transbody is managing to affirm the desired bodies of the cis-gendered.
Anyway, just some random musings. I'd like to hear what other's have to say on the matter. This is, unfortunately, rather disorganized. I apologize - being out of school for three months has turned my brain to mush.