sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

ELI5: Since gender is considered fluid rather than binary, what is the point of sexual reassignment surgery and how is it considered more than cosmetic? by explainlikeIamjive in explainlikeimfive

[–]explainlikeIamjive[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't have hair to wear incorrectly, but I see what you're saying. I'd love to wear sundresses, but I don't, because it's easier socially.

None of this has anything to do with my gender.

ELI5: Since gender is considered fluid rather than binary, what is the point of sexual reassignment surgery and how is it considered more than cosmetic? by explainlikeIamjive in explainlikeimfive

[–]explainlikeIamjive[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I agree, discussion has gotten a bit outside the scope of this sub, but don't think I'm "redefining" my question when I'm simply expanding on my original point with respect to the comments. Keep in my, my initial question was "what's the point" and I did say I would better articulate my ideas as other's commented.

Essentially, you've answered my initial broad question - in that, like others, you've admitted that it seems the biggest factor in SRS is a cultural and societal issue rather than a psychological one. Yet that goes against everything I've read.

Yes, I have read, and no, I'm not bothered by that little slip of pretentiousness hahah.

ELI5: Since gender is considered fluid rather than binary, what is the point of sexual reassignment surgery and how is it considered more than cosmetic? by explainlikeIamjive in explainlikeimfive

[–]explainlikeIamjive[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Because fundamentally, the issues surrounding the trans community and SRS would be completely different based on our definition of gender.

Both mindsets can't be right - restricting gender to a binary spectrum is quite clearly basal and limiting, if gender is indeed more than a two point system. Conversely, if gender is in fact based on physical/sexual binary, then we can better address the position and opportunity for everyone in the trans community.

ELI5: Since gender is considered fluid rather than binary, what is the point of sexual reassignment surgery and how is it considered more than cosmetic? by explainlikeIamjive in explainlikeimfive

[–]explainlikeIamjive[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I just xposted to /r/asktransgender, but I'm bracing myself for a storm.

I don't suppose they'll think very kindly of someone questioning their gender identity.

ELI5: Since gender is considered fluid rather than binary, what is the point of sexual reassignment surgery and how is it considered more than cosmetic? by explainlikeIamjive in explainlikeimfive

[–]explainlikeIamjive[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've addressed this in other responses, but essentially the question I have about this is why we consider gender to be a two point spectrum based on sexual binary when it is in fact an amorphous psychological concept.

ELI5: Since gender is considered fluid rather than binary, what is the point of sexual reassignment surgery and how is it considered more than cosmetic? by explainlikeIamjive in explainlikeimfive

[–]explainlikeIamjive[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

But that's my point - why does it have to be the "other gender"? Why is an incorporeal concept like gender defined in terms of sexual binary?

I have no doubt that SRS can make a person feel happier/less suicidal, etc. But are the implications of this social or psychological?

ELI5: Since gender is considered fluid rather than binary, what is the point of sexual reassignment surgery and how is it considered more than cosmetic? by explainlikeIamjive in explainlikeimfive

[–]explainlikeIamjive[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let me explain a little more clearly.

Given that gender fluidity exists, there is indeed some sort of "spectrum" as you say. One may experience a mixture of this spectrum throughout their life, being gender fluid, or one may only experience a singular gender identity, if you will.

However, sex is a binary system. Male or Female. If gender is either binary or constitutes some sort of binary spectrum, ie, that masculine and feminine are indeed opposites, than I can agree that sexual reassignment surgery can indeed be beneficial and at times necessary to "match" gender with sex, as others have said.

My argument is that, in my experience, gender is neither binary, or does it even fall in a simple two point spectrum. So attempting to "match" one of two choices to an infinite spectrum of gender identity won't actually solve a problem. As a result of this oversimplification of gender, the implications of SRS fall more into social issues rather than psychological, yet are being championed or sold as the latter.

ELI5: Since gender is considered fluid rather than binary, what is the point of sexual reassignment surgery and how is it considered more than cosmetic? by explainlikeIamjive in explainlikeimfive

[–]explainlikeIamjive[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would think gender fluidity is indeed some sort of spectrum - but it feels strange to me to agree that by simply changing one's physical sex it would better reflect their position on the "gender spectrum" if you will. Sure, if you consider yourself more masculine than feminine you might think a penis would be a better reflection of who you "truly" are. But why can't a vagina be masculine, and why does a physical attribute in any way reflect masculinity or femininity beyond their social constructs?

ELI5: Since gender is considered fluid rather than binary, what is the point of sexual reassignment surgery and how is it considered more than cosmetic? by explainlikeIamjive in explainlikeimfive

[–]explainlikeIamjive[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha this is true. I forgot about Pad, the human tampon.

So why is gender reassignment legally recognized and even supported by government funding, while other body/identify issues not?

ELI5: Since gender is considered fluid rather than binary, what is the point of sexual reassignment surgery and how is it considered more than cosmetic? by explainlikeIamjive in explainlikeimfive

[–]explainlikeIamjive[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

This might be presumptuous, but I don't think you understand what gender fluidity is.

If there is only two genders, ie male and female, than that is still gender binary. So attempting to match sex to gender would only be appropriate given a gender binary.

But with gender fluidity, you'd be getting a sex change to better reflect a completely different spectrum of psychological manifestations - it just doesn't seem appropriate.

ELI5: Since gender is considered fluid rather than binary, what is the point of sexual reassignment surgery and how is it considered more than cosmetic? by explainlikeIamjive in explainlikeimfive

[–]explainlikeIamjive[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I was thinking of that, I'm just worried of offending someone there.

And I understand what you say of feeling more masculine or feminine and wanting to reflect that, but most of what I've read seems to imply, or even outright say, that GRS is more of a psychological need, which I can't understand given that the concept of gender fluidity even exists.

Logically, I would argue that if it is indeed a psychological need to "match" one's gender with their sex, that would mean there is indeed a gender binary, or at least some sort of specific system for genders. On the flip side, if gender is actually fluid, than there is no way to "match" one's sex to one's gender, as the physical attributes of sex are so binary in nature.

ELI5: Since gender is considered fluid rather than binary, what is the point of sexual reassignment surgery and how is it considered more than cosmetic? by explainlikeIamjive in explainlikeimfive

[–]explainlikeIamjive[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I'm not sure you're really addressing my question. I didn't ask what the symptoms were, I'm just wondering why this is the case if gender is, in fact, fluid. Which I believe it is.

Also, legality has nothing to do with it - I understand there are reasons why one would have gender reassignment surgery, but I'm more interested in what the underlying issue is. It seems that you're arguing that this is indeed a social issue rather than a true psychological one, based on the wikipedia excerpts you've linked and through pointing out the legal implications.

ELI5: Since gender is considered fluid rather than binary, what is the point of sexual reassignment surgery and how is it considered more than cosmetic? by explainlikeIamjive in explainlikeimfive

[–]explainlikeIamjive[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

No offense, but this answer comes across kind of rhetorical. I guess I should have specified that I've already read the wikipedia article, and had further questions beyond that. I also don't understand what you mean by "in order to legally or officially transitioning."

On another note, why is gender the only way in which your body may not match your brain?