Introduction
Practices such as transgender operations often surprise people due to sensitivity of ethics, morality, and procedures that lead to realization of the processes that are involved. They believe that gender entails moral duties and obligations that are accomplished separately by both men and women. The term ‘sex change operations’ involves labeling of carnal orientation based on gender. Literally, it implies that a person who possesses male characteristics transforms to become a female. However, the individuals have to undergo surgery to change their primary sexual orientation or organs to suit those of the opposite gender. This essay explores sex and gender by narrowing down the topic to masculinity-femininity change operations that have fired controversial debates internationally.
According to Henslin (133), many people become dissatisfied with their gender roles at some point in their lives. However, this situation does not necessarily imply that such people do not recognize their genders. For instance, some decades ago, girls were assigned names such as ‘Tomboy’ when they acted or performed duties that were regarded as masculine. Recently, many people have begun accepting cross-gender duties that are performed by both men and women, especially in sports. Gender stereotypes emanate from cases where individuals of both sexes are identified. Therefore, sex change operations are perceived as ways that curb feelings of possessing the ‘wrong’ sexual orientation (Henslin 135).
I acknowledge how a person feels to be a male or a female. However, accepting a change of roles in a manner that fits a man into the roles of a woman by the virtue of becoming a female after transformation persuades my acceptance to sex change operation. It has been noted quite often that sex change operations are currently done in countries such as Iran and Thailand. Why does someone desire to possess characteristics of opposite sex? Do these people manage to change their gender roles? Is it ethical for such a person to be accepted in the society? These questions and other unending debates can be perceived as the origins of ambiguous discussions on sex transformation.
A person must have a reason that drives their desire for transgender operations. However, numerous issues that lead to discrimination among opposite sexes can lead to transgender or sex change operation. A keen examination of Thailand exposes various matters that pertain to gender. According to UNDP’s gender inequality index (GII) in 2011, the measurement value increased from 0.382 to nearly one. This GII amplification represents perfect inequality (Seubsman, Kelly, Vasoontara, and Adrian 755). The measure of inequality encompasses reproductive health and empowerment.
Reproductive health data indicates that Thailand experiences a mortality ratio of 48. This situation implies that 48 women die due to pregnancy complications in every 100,000 live births. Women also give birth at younger ages between 15 and 19 years. However, do men in the same country similar rates of death to those of women? Do they provide support to their wives in such times? Consequently, the issue of gender roles comes into play (Henslin 134).
According to GII 2001 report, only 14-percent of the women in the country held parliamentary seats. Women who had attained the age of 25 years and had accomplished secondary level of education represented 25.6-percent of the total population compared to men who represented 33.7-percent. Pertaining to the measurement of labor force, women amongst the working age constituted about 15.2-percent lower than their male counter parts. When gender wages are compared among men and women, it is realized that a wider gender pay gap exists with men earning a larger percentage. Lastly, men earn relatively higher than women who have similar work experience (Seubsman, Matthew, Vasoontara, and Adrian 761).
When addressing issues of equality such as social amenities, employment, and education, everything must be shared fairly based on gender. In addition, such responsibilities should be equally shared amongst family members irrespective of gender roles (Henslin 133). Do people practice transgender operations to fight gender inequality or due to some psychological reasons?
Various factors should be outlined to address issues of transgender operations. For instance, motives of actions such as carnal transformation and fight for gender equity should be discussed amongst families and learning institutions to enable people appreciate the presence of individuals whose genders do not conform to their physical characteristics. Some people have both male and female sexual organs. Therefore, they are best categorized as transgender. Why do people practice sex change operations irrespective of such classification? Do they predict the repercussions of such acts?
Personal Opinion on the Action
Sex change operation is describes emotional and psychological state. This situation is observed in transgender individuals who desire sex change operation. These people always develop gender dysphoria, a feeling of dissatisfaction with the primary physical sex organs that they possess. When such individuals realize their uniqueness, they tend to differ from the normality of having either a vagina or a penis. As a result, they develop anxiety and depression among other mental disturbances. Consequently, a way to get rid of such is to undergo sex change operation to possess a sex that suits them as dictated by the dysphoria (Carroll and Paula 236).
Another reason why people go for sex change operation is social dilemma. As children mature, their parents teach them about sexuality and sexual orientations. Therefore, when a child is a female, she is taught on ‘who she is’, ‘what she is’, and her complexions. However, do parents who have transgender children have appropriate teaching on sexuality and sexual orientations? It is realized that most parents of transgender children have no concrete solution to such problems. Therefore, as the children grow, an idea of whether to remain a male or a female develops. The child eventually decides to have one of the genders that suits (Carroll and Paula 236).
Sex change operations can also occur due to beliefs. Occasionally, men and women know that they are more physically different from one another than they do mentally and emotionally. A unique behavior that might portray the opposite of what he or she is, may guarantee a sex change to suit the behavior (Carroll and Paula 236).
Conclusion
Sex change operations should only be implemented in cases that involve transgender individuals. In addition, persons who wish to execute such operations should seek consent of the individual who chooses a particular sex orientation. This decision should be the last option after puberty suppression medications fail to make one of the genders of an individual dominant. The operation should also be done in cases where dysphoria is prevalent to avoid complexions such as depression, anxiety, and feeling of being an outcast among others. However, individuals should also consider other ways to address transgender issues such as discrimination and fight for equity and equality.
Works Cited
Carroll, Lynne, and Paula Gilroy. “Transgender issues in counselor preparation.” Counselor Education and Supervision 41.3(2002): 233-42. Print.
Seubsman, Sam-ang, Matthew Kelly, Vasoontara Yiengprugsawan, and Adrian Sleigh. “Gender, Socioeconomic Status, and Self-Rated Health in a Transitional Middle-Income Setting Evidence From Thailand.” Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health 23.5(2011): 754-65. Print.
Henslin, James. Essentials of sociology: A down-to-earth approach, Boston, MA: Pearson, 2012. Print.