The Gender Spectrum

Society loves to categorize. By labeling and grouping things within our society, we feel more organized -- thus societal norms are created. However
we tend to make things black and white that, in reality, have a lot of gray area. For instance, society's approach to gender.

What is gender dysphoria?

A hot topic splashed across the media these days revolves around transgenders. From the TLC show I am Jazz to the story of Caitlyn Jenner, the
transgender community is gaining a lot of public attention. So much of what we soak in through this media, however, are personalized stories and
propaganda, and we lose sight of the elementary level understanding of what condition these people are actually struggling with. Gender dysphoria
is a condition in which a person feels a disconnect between the gender they were biologically assigned at birth and the gender they inwardly connect
with.

Just so there is no confusion, gender dysphoria is not just a theory of sorts. There is proven scientific evidence that this disconnect is a real
phenomenon. Those who seek surgical gender changes do, in fact, have different mental structures than those who do no not feel conflicted between
their biological gender and their self identification. Those wrestling with gender dysphoria have a brain structure that is in between that of a typical
male or female. This can be traced all the way back to fetal development. Physical genitalia is not developed until months after the organization of the
sexual structures in the brain, and because these two develop independently of one another, it is possible for there to be some disconnect.

Debunking the black and white label

The raw science explained above goes to show just how much of gender definitions is left up to society. Though we cannot overlook the obvious
factor biology plays in gender identity, it is most definitely not the be all end all. In fact, I would argue, that society plays an even more substantial
part in gender identity by labeling things as "masculine" or "feminine.” It is understandable that it is in our human nature to categorize things to
make sense out of our environment, but by creating these norms we suppress individuality and social acceptance. As, described previously, gender
is not black and white, it exists as a spectrum and I cannot help but wonder whether or not as many transgenders would still pursue surgical gender
reassignment if our society was move open and accepting. Imagine a world where it wasn't considered strange for a male to love pink and have long
hair and for a female to play football and love video games. Imagine a world with much less discrimination and violence and much more happiness
and feelings of self belonging.

Is there a solution?

Okay so this utopia described above is fine and dandy, but lets get realistic. There are many proposed ways that try and best deal with gender dysphoria,
but which way is best? Does seeking medical help to reassign the biological counterpart of gender help? The answer is somewhat unknown. However,
it is important that if one is looking into such surgeries that they do not commit to one prematurely. There has been some debate regarding whether or
not medical action should be taken when it is a child that is experiencing gender dysphoria. The clear answer here is to wait. The mind of a child is far
too malleable to jump to such costly and permanent action, and more often than not this gender dysphoria is just a phase they grow out of. Beyond this
conclusion, not much else is tried and true. But epidemics like this do call for society to stop being so narrow-minded with our stereotypes. The issue
really does call into question just how much society problematizes gender identity and roles. It is important that we become more aware of the negative
effects that result from our labeling and stereotyping.