Monday, September 12, 2011
Blog Assignment # 4: Thomas Beatie
Although in some point in time male pregnancy was viewed as nearly impossible, this is not the case in today's society. Technological advancements in medicine have actually allowed for such changes, as well as an individual's willingness to "come out of the closet" and challenge the traditional gender binary system. Some have even decided to completely transform their physical appearance so that they can become the opposite sex. What are your thoughts to this? Does it bother you to some extent?
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ReplyDeleteLess than two weeks ago, this article came out:
http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-morning-quickies-083111/
While media spin cannot be wholly disregarded in this article, the possibility that Mr. Beatie did what he did solely for media attention (as opposed his excuse of "it's more convenient") seems quite plausible. Let's face it - most bizarre news are bizarre solely for the shock value and publicity. Remember the balloon publicity stunt-fiasco?
(if you don't know, http://criminal.lawyers.com/Criminal-Law-Basics/Boys-Balloon-Ride-Was-a-Scam.html)
All I can say is that while "proper" precedents are not in place yet, I find it highly distasteful for transgender people to use their status as a way to attract publicity. Since there's technically nothing unnatural about changing genders (many animals naturally do this), I anticipate society gradually accepting these new changes as normal.
The reading for me..was all over the place a far what it means to be male or female, what it means to be a man or woman and gender roles within those concepts and facts. Thomas Beatie was once a female biologically and woman superficially and claims that "he" always felt masculine (like a man). "He" changed his name to whom we know now, and changed "his" superficial appearance as woman to a man all the while remaining a female biologically. Throughout the articles he goes back and forth through gender stereotypical gender roles as a biological female and transgender male. I think the shift in gender views and roles during his accounts are confusing, while they establish a broader ideology of femininity and masculinity, yet still go back to 'baser' stereotypical views of femininity and masculinity that hold the growth of the conversation at bay with stereotypes. Let it be clear that there should not be a dichotomous tolerance for gender and sex in social issues but there should be a limit to actions, dialogue, and views within a single person; facts should be recognized and opinions acknowledged.
ReplyDeleteMy opinion is usually based on facts and not some normative analysis, I say we shouldn’t be so quick to judge mainly based on info provided in the media, and/or what is usually accepted in our own culture - regardless of an issue. I often say: “Whatever floats your boat”, so if Beatie wanted to carry a child for whatever his reasons may be, it is his choice. It doesn’t mean that I necessary understand his choice, but the world is not so black and white. Therefore, I try to be more open-minded. Same counts for other arenas of gender/ gender roles / gender stereotypes...
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