What causes a person to have a desire to change their own gender?

Answer 1

I think that trangendered people think that the other sex is getting all the goodies, has more rights, has a better life. So in their sad , sad way they try to even the score by masquerading as the other sex. ( it is only a masquerade because the surgery that makes a person into " the other sex" sterilizes them so they are actually neither sex)

Answer 2

It's a matter of being comfortable with who you are. Most trans-genders consider themselves trapped inside a body that is not their own. Most have felt this way since early childhood and some seek suicide as a way out of their entrapment. When I was in college in the 70's I had a couple of friends who did try to commit suicide. One because he was gay and the other was a trans-gender, both of which we unacceptable at that time.

Fortunately with a lot of support and unconditional love, they survived and are both quite happy now. It's bad enough to fell that you're trapped inside a body that's not your own, but to feel like it's all your fault and there's nothing you can do and you're all alone is even worse.

For the record, some recent studies have proven that some trans-genders have different brain chemistry from the norms, even at a young age. The nurturing environment while growing up can also have a great impact as well.

If you know of a trans-gender, accept them for who they are, isn't that what friends are supposed to do?

Answer 3

First of all, some clarification on terms-

Sex and gender are not interchangeable becuase-

1) Gender is between the ears- who you feel you are.

2) Sex is between the legs- what you appear to be.

A transsexual is not changing their gender, because that's who they are. They are simply changing their sex to match their gender, ergo- a sex change, and not gender change.

Do this experiment- close your eyes, extend your arm, and have someone touch you on your arm in different places. Your brain's internal body map knows where each part is located on the body and you can name the parts very precisely. Like the difference between the base of the thumb and the elbow- your body map knows where things are supposed to be.

Now, imagine having a body map that says certain things are supposed to be there, but they aren't, and it is very disconcerting to, say, scratch behind your knee and feel it in the arch of your foot. Wouldn't be too pleasant, would it?

My body map says there is supposed to female parts down there where male parts are instead. If I ignore it (male parts) and don't think about it, I can pretend that they aren't there, and it doesn't bother me too much, but when using the bathroom, bathing or showering- well, that's a different story.

I have always felt like this since before I could put words to it, and it won't change for the forseeable future.

I find it interesting that transsexualism has been described as "a disorder that can be completely cured by physical means (surgery) and has never been cured by psychiatry".

Answer 4

Born the wrong gender! Mood Swings? Hereditary Psychoses? Wanted to find themselves? Need a change in life? Oh the one that's used so often "they knew something was different about them, but they just didn't know what to do what those feelings!"

Just be yourself!

Answer 5

who cares i'm lucky i'm comfortable with my body and love being a woman. some people don't. they feel like they're stuck in the wrong body. that would really suck. some people change their gender and find happiness that way. more power to them, it's a huge transformation physically and mentally. everyone deserves a chance at being comfortable and happy.

Answer 6

Hi Will,

There are some articles you can read on this. Everyone has an opinion (as you can imagine).

I believe that gender and sexuality are two different items BUT I do think that both are rooted in how genes form and mature in your body (both before birth and after).

Happy reading!
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/75/89823.htm

http://www.webmd.com/content/article/60/67145.htm

Answer 7

Some people are just born into the wrong gender,and feel the need to put things right

Answer 8

Some say they were born the wrong sex. They have the mind/personality of one sex...but the body of the other. That would be a pretty difficult life to lead. I may do the same if I were in their shoes.

Answer 9

I don't really know - but I imagine it takes a lot of nerve. Personally I cannot imagine life without my penis.

Answer 10

They believe they were born the wrong gender.