Transsexual Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Transsexual - Research Paper Example Negative, unoptimistic views towards transsexualism and prejudice normally accompany a number of cultural values or religious beliefs. There are traditions, which have no obscurity accepting individuals who switch gender. In fact, they hold them with high standards such as promoting them to leaders of the Two-Spirit individuals found amongst a number of Native American tribal groups (Ekins & King, 2006). The National Center for Transgender Equality estimates that one percent of the United States population is a transsexual population (Garcia & Swaab, 2008). It can be extremely wearisome and scary knowing that someone’s is different, but does not know why. Comprehending the nature of these distinctions can feel both frightening and empowering at the same time. Many transsexuals live in a â€Å"closeted† world hiding from who they are and convincing themselves that their thoughts are provoked by an over-active imagination. Even though, not everyone might support transsexu als, it is vital that they acknowledge and respect who they are, regardless of what others think. Diagnosis Transsexualism can be seen in the two main diagnostic manuals utilized by mental health experts globally, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). ICD defines transsexualism as an urge to live as a member of the opposite gender and still be acknowledged as a member of that sex, normally accompanied by a feeling of uneasiness with one’s God-given sex. APA does not differentiate between transsexualism and sex identity disorder, and explains transvestic fetishism as a distinct fact, which might co-occur with transsexualism. The APA diagnosis needs four components: An insistence or desire that someone is of the opposite biological sex. Proof of constant discomfort with the person’s biological sex The individual is not intersex Proof of clinically important impairment or distress in social or work life. Process of Diagnosis The recent diagnosis of for transsexuals who offer themselves for mental treatment is gender identity disorder (APA, 2000). This diagnostic label is normally vital to acquire sex reassignment psychotherapy with health insurance coverage. The labeling of gender identity disorders as psychological illness is not an authorization for discrimination such people. It does not also permit for the deprivation of transsexuals’ civil rights. Nevertheless, some individuals diagnosed with the disorder do not wish for sex reassignment therapy at all (Green, 2004). Whereas some consider that formal diagnosis assist in stopping discrimination, others consider that it simply adds stigma, feeling that the diagnosis is equal to claiming something is wrong with transsexuals (Green, 2004). The management of "gender identity disorder" is perceived as an insulting and inappropriate endeavor to some transsexuals, and might be regarded a causal matter in cases of harm occurring to tran ssexuals due to discrimination and prejudice when they are deprived of their own civil rights. A lot of transsexuals have requested the APA to eliminate Gender Identity Disorder from their guide (APA, 2000). These transsexuals feel that some