www.BeTreatedWell.com Why Gender?
Why “gender”? The construct of gender is perhaps the primary organizing feature
we use to categorize individuals. Gender is constructed by language which uses
words as symbols for knowledge.
Using the appearance of external genitalia at birth, we utilize a dualistic system
of symbol representation with two mutually exclusive descriptors: those whose
genitals represent the group symbolically known as male; and those whose
genitals represent the group symbolically known as female. These groups define
the construct we call gender.
We could create some other construct with any number of representatives.
Imagine an infinitely large box of crayons in which between any two hues there are
infinite gradations...
Preschool children may know orange from yellow but may not have a concept of
orange-yellow. Conversely, artists may have a host of names to describe various
hues of what the more advanced child sees as orange-yellow. Based on
knowledge of the construct of color and experiences, for each individual there
exists a precise increment at which yellow-orange ceases and orange-yellow exists.
All knowledge comes from the experience of sensations and perceptions. No two
people can have the same perceptions; therefore, there are no universal truths or
ultimate realities, only the representations that are created and limited by
language.
Gender is a construct which creates and limits distinctions among individual
experiences of essence or being. Each individual experiences their gender as a
private experience that, by nature of being sensed and perceived by that
individual, is their truth. One’s perception and experience of ’gender’ is not
sensed in that same precise way by anyone else.
Furthermore, perceptions are not static, but fluid. Within any paradigm,
knowledge based on perceptions is not only individual, but is constantly evolving.
Individual and societal experiences of gender are not static, but are constantly
changing.
Addressing the question, “Why ‘gender’?’’ is a large part of the treatment done
with Transgendered individuals. Transgenderism is the movement that honors this
innately transcendental experience of gender. The connotation of the prefix
“trans” is not “to transfer,” as in a dualistic paradigm but rather “to transcend,” as
in moving beyond the constructs of gender, male and female.
It is natural for me to work with Transgendered individuals because all my
treatment is a process in which an individual’s reality, derived from their inner
perceptions and experiences, is made conscious and organized in a way that is
coherent to that individual. The therapeutic relationship aids this process by
providing additional perceptions and experiences, and a forum in which to engage
in evolving awareness.
“The only existences of which we are certain are perceptions.”
John Locke
Why “gender”? The construct of gender is perhaps the primary organizing feature
we use to categorize individuals. Gender is constructed by language which uses
words as symbols for knowledge.
Using the appearance of external genitalia at birth, we utilize a dualistic system
of symbol representation with two mutually exclusive descriptors: those whose
genitals represent the group symbolically known as male; and those whose
genitals represent the group symbolically known as female. These groups define
the construct we call gender.
We could create some other construct with any number of representatives.
Imagine an infinitely large box of crayons in which between any two hues there are
infinite gradations...
Preschool children may know orange from yellow but may not have a concept of
orange-yellow. Conversely, artists may have a host of names to describe various
hues of what the more advanced child sees as orange-yellow. Based on
knowledge of the construct of color and experiences, for each individual there
exists a precise increment at which yellow-orange ceases and orange-yellow exists.
All knowledge comes from the experience of sensations and perceptions. No two
people can have the same perceptions; therefore, there are no universal truths or
ultimate realities, only the representations that are created and limited by
language.
Gender is a construct which creates and limits distinctions among individual
experiences of essence or being. Each individual experiences their gender as a
private experience that, by nature of being sensed and perceived by that
individual, is their truth. One’s perception and experience of ’gender’ is not
sensed in that same precise way by anyone else.
Furthermore, perceptions are not static, but fluid. Within any paradigm,
knowledge based on perceptions is not only individual, but is constantly evolving.
Individual and societal experiences of gender are not static, but are constantly
changing.
Addressing the question, “Why ‘gender’?’’ is a large part of the treatment done
with Transgendered individuals. Transgenderism is the movement that honors this
innately transcendental experience of gender. The connotation of the prefix
“trans” is not “to transfer,” as in a dualistic paradigm but rather “to transcend,” as
in moving beyond the constructs of gender, male and female.
It is natural for me to work with Transgendered individuals because all my
treatment is a process in which an individual’s reality, derived from their inner
perceptions and experiences, is made conscious and organized in a way that is
coherent to that individual. The therapeutic relationship aids this process by
providing additional perceptions and experiences, and a forum in which to engage
in evolving awareness.
“The only existences of which we are certain are perceptions.”
John Locke
| Antonia Caretto, Ph.D., PLLC |
| www.BeTreatedWell.com phone: 248.553.9053 |
| Articles of Interest: Business of Therapy Anxiety Why Gender? Asperger's Disorder Adjustment Disorders Self-Injurious Behavior |
