Introduction
The study explores gender identity through the film Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric. The film centers on the complex story of transgender transition and the attendant hardships people face. Katie Couric discusses how transgender teens need the most attention, especially regarding financial, ethical, and social opportunities. In addition, the film examines several legal aspects that require increased caution and the need to find the best legislative strategies. Finally, Couric notes that the diversity of gender identities forces society to become increasingly exciting, multifaceted, and complex.
Individualism in Gender Identity
Ethical theories can be used to explain breakthroughs in understanding gender identity. Despite the success of general hedonistic and altruistic approaches, individualism should be used as part of the solution to gender issues. Identity results from each person’s reflection that their identity is predominant for them and essential in their universe. It can change and be flexible, but it is the only thing that shapes consciousness and the general perception of the world. Individualism can be seen in the decision to gender transition: Katie Couric tells of Hari Nef, who made a coming out to fit her identity (Couric). She saw that her transgender identity reflected her inner world, a part of her identity that could not be abandoned. By making an ethical choice in her favor, Hari agreed to open up to society because doing otherwise would have been against her identity.
The Film’s Connection to the Gender Revolution
The Gender Revolution primarily began with the advancement of women’s rights, which other communities gradually joined. The expansion of women’s rights allowed the oppression of homosexual and bisexual people to go away, as they were also no longer considered deviants (Dembroff and Saint-Croix 585). For transgender people, who have put no small amount of pressure on the American legislature, the gender revolution was an opportunity to assert their identity. Overall, the gender revolution gained solid political support, thanks to organizations that sought to make any work more socially inclusive and supportive. However, one cannot leave aside the personal merits of public figures (women, LGBT people) who pushed society to change its perception of reality. A significant breakthrough has been established in what gender roles are and what they are for. In the film, Katie Couric testifies that society has become less closed-minded and has expanded its understanding of how people are structured and identify themselves. Identification and the search for identity within oneself have been central to a gender agenda that continues in multiple spheres. Katie Couric demos that the modern construction of society allows adolescents to avoid unnecessary problems through the education and work of LGBT children’s advocates. Mikaela Mendelsohn points out that issues still exist, but the community is committed to solving them (Couric). Consequently, Katie Couric’s film makes it clear that changing gender roles and their representation in society result from the aspirations of many people who first understood the need for new gender sociology.
Marcy Lee Bowers’ Ethical Choices
Marcy Lee Bowers is a surgeon who specializes in gender affirmation surgeries among transgender people. Her work involves many complex surgical aspects: for example, restoring the integrity of female genitalia after mutilation and many plastic surgeries (Couric). Bowers’ tasks include understanding patient needs and finding the best solution for each case. The breadth of her practice in transgender issues suggests that every choice Bowers makes is ethical, requiring her to be respectful and highly responsible. She is concerned that she cannot always help transgender people make the right choices; accordingly, it is a matter of ethical considerations. Bowers believes that the problems of rapid onset gender dysphoria are an aspect of her work. Every surgery involving gender affirmation is a challenging element of her surgical practice, as it requires her to be attentive to every precedent (Shrier). Since medical practice is always closely associated with ethical principles (caring, consideration, care), Bowers’ dilemmas about the transgender surgical decision are part of her ethical choices (Shrier). It is also worth noting that the gravity of this choice is justified by a high degree of social responsibility and her biases (Couric). Although Bowers is a specialist in gender surgery, she also accepts that her position on this issue is as fluid as her identity. As a consequence, the actions she performs require special attention. Consequently, because of the specific nature of Marcy Lee Bowers’ surgical practice, every decision she makes is ethical, requiring choosing the best alternative and individual respectful approach.
Conclusion
Philosophical knowledge can be used to explain gender identity, and often it is represented by people with degrees in gender studies, psychology, and physiology. The metaphysical understanding of gender and sexuality is worth considering in questions of gender identity (Dembroff and Saint-Croix 572). For example, the film features Tamar Szabó Gendler, dean of Yale University. She believes that gender studies are necessary for the overall functioning of society (Couric). She studies gender law because she understands that she is responsible for her students. Gendler believes that philosophical psychology, which is close to her, can be the key to understanding gender, so she sees this as her goal.
Works Cited
Couric, Katie, director. Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric. National Geographic and World of Wonder, 2017.
Dembroff, Robin, and Catharine Saint-Croix. “‘Yep, I’m Gay’: Understanding Agential Identity”. Ergo, vol. 6, no. 6, 2019, pp. 571-599. doi: 10.3998/ergo.12405314.0006.020.
Shrier, Abigail. “Top Trans Doctors Blow the Whistle on ‘Sloppy’ Care”.Common Sense, 2021.