.jpg)
Chaz Bono (with Jennifer Elia) made
headlines when he announced his transition
from female to male
(AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
Frequently asked question: Why do we often see transsexual women (born male, transitioned to female) in the media and in public life, but we rarely see transsexual men (born female, transitioned to male)? Are there more trans women than trans men?
It would appear that way, but the answer is much more complex than appearances.
The American Psychological Association (APA) says, “Current estimates of the prevalence of transsexualism are about 1 in 10,000 for biological males [people identified as male at birth] and 1 in 30,000 for biological females [people identified as female at birth].” These are updated numbers, but Professor Lynn Conway has far higher estimates.
One of the problems with statistically identifying transsexual people — both women and men — is that those statistics are reported by professionals in the mental health and medical fields (therapists, physicians, and surgeons) who work with transsexual people and facilitate transition. There is no other way to gather these statistics. The census takers certainly don’t ask.
So those people who are “counted” are those who have sought out therapeutic and medical interventions from professionals who report on such things.
While both the numbers of trans women and trans men are likely underestimated, there are several reasons why trans men might be even more likely to be statistically underrepresented.
1. Because it is far more acceptable in the United States for females to dress in men’s clothing and adopt traditionally “male” or “masculine” interests, behaviors, and even names, than vice versa, some people who are born female with a male gender identity may be able to live as men or with a masculine gender presentation without therapeutic or medical intervention more easily than those who are born male with a female gender identity.
2. Because of gender and sex inequalities in the U.S. economic system, people who are born female are overrepresented in lower-paying jobs, traditionally “female” jobs are not valued economically, and, in most occupations, women, in general, still make less than men. Therefore, many of those born female with a male gender identity may lack the financial resources necessary to secure the therapeutic and medical interventions they require. (This is not to say that trans women necessarily have money. Many trans people — both men and women — lack financial resources due to employment laws that do not protect us from being fired or denied employment based on our trans status. And when trans women transition, they lose the "male status" that is associated with higher wages.)
3. Female-to-male genital surgery is far more expensive and extensive than male-to-female genital surgery, so even those trans men who do have financial resources might not have enough to undergo this type of surgery and be “counted” in surgical statistics.
These are some of the reason why trans men might be statistically underrepresented. In part two, we will talk about visibility in society.
Comments
With hormonal treatment, many natal females readily acquire a typical male appearance. A lot of the masculine appearance of some transwomen (mtf) is because of bone structure, which doesn't change under hormone treatment. Also, many transwomen are taller than average women, so we literally stand out from the crowd (sigh).
This is why more/ANY research is needed:
They found that being transexual is genetic at the least.
IF they can test children instaed of guessing, then they could give Hormone blockers stopping the typical male bone structures from forming.
Of course us being a transexual is probaly just our past lives puninshing us in this life. (I e if we murderers,rapists etc)
Dont worry as fortunaltley for us life is short so suck it up.
I don't think society finds FTM's as fascinating as MTFs; women are more free to do masculine things and society largely ignores them. When someone born a male puts on a dress, it stops traffic; whether it is a costume party, a Milton Berle gag, or a MTF transsexual person going to work. Society sexualizes the female image, and a (born) male in a dress becomes an affront to 'straight' sexuality, whether that person is gay or straight themself. Girls in baggy jeans become desexualized, and therefore not a threat---and not as morbidly interesting.
The title says transgender and transsexual -- where's the transgender part, where some folks don't choose medical interventions? I see this is part 1, so if the title stays, the focus has to broaden. I'm saying that as a transsexual man, but as an advocate for rights of the umbrella of the full community, including transgender people who are not transsexuals.
Diego--I understand your point (and the title is based on my title of Transgender & Transsexual Issues Examiner and Examiner's 101 series, which requires that we write the titles to coincide with our own titles). But while it is difficult to estimate the number of transsexual people in the U.S., it is impossible to estimate the number of transgender, genderqueer, or gender diverse people. Most gender diverse people simply do not come to the attention of professionals who supply those types of statistics. People who identify as transgender and do not transition often do not seek any kind of services, and those who do are often not "counted" because they don't transition. So, statistically, transgender people are unfortunately left out.
(This comment is a continuation of the one below) As far as visibility in society (which is part two), that, too, is more difficult, because those people who don't transition may or may not be visible as transgender or gender diverse, and those who do transition are often referred to as "transgender" when that is not how they refer to themselves. So language is very difficult in discussing these types of topics, and the statistical and societal visibility of people who do not transition is almost impossible to determine. Hopefully, at some point, there will be an official way to "count" the population that identifies as transgender, as well as the population that identifies as genderqueer, gender diverse, or another designation.
Not to nitpick.... BUT!: 1) "assigned male/female at birth" is more tolerant than "born male/ female," which assumes that the person wasn't ID-ing trans from their earliest memory, which some do. 2) "men's clothing"-- So what MAKES them "men's"? Yep, arbitrary societal standards. Another phrase to use might be "clothing associated with males by society," or some such. I know, it's longer and clunkier, but, since we are addressing trans issues, the reconsideration of typical designations is worth it.
It's not nitpicking, Chris, and I agree with you. I often do use "assigned female (or male) at birth" and I try to designate certain things as "defined by society." There is nothing inherent in any particular piece of clothing that makes it men's clothing or women's clothing. It's been designated that way by the culture. In another culture, that same garment might be designated in another way. Because the 101 series is supposed to be for those who are new to the topic, I try to word things to be more easily understood by someone who might be reading about this for the first time (for example, someone who might not be familiar with the concept of "assigned at birth"). But I totally agree with you, and language is very important. It's also proving to be very difficult in some circumstances. But your points are well taken and appreciated. Thanks for reading.
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