Letters to the Editor
melthough
Published Letters: 1212 Editor's Choice: 98
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Birth culture
[Read the article: The other side of international adoption]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]My understanding of this trend is that adoptive parents are trying to help children feel their loss is not quite as profound, because they retain access to the language and culture of their birth family. As I understand it, it is in part a reaction to earlier adoptions, in which adoptive parents specifically tried to expunge the culture and language of the adopted child (also presuming this was for the child's own good, of course) in favor of the culture and language of the adoptive family. The more recent respect for 'birth culture' is an attempt to help the child feel connected to an identity they would otherwise lose. And since it expands the adoptive person's choices rather than taking choices away, my guess is that it is a healthier approach.
But really. No matter how perfect parents try to be, children find things to complain about regarding their upbringing. It is the human condition.
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Trilobyte, was that a joke?
[Read the article: Is a sex change operation liberating or mutilating?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]If so, it wasn't very funny. If not, it wasn't very funny. Cleft palate surgery isn't obviously relevant. But if you'd like to make a case, please actually make one.
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Gender as socially conditioned
[Read the article: Is a sex change operation liberating or mutilating?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The article just out and says, "Many feminists believe that the behaviours and feelings which are considered typically masculine or typically feminine are purely socially conditioned." Well, 'many' feminists might believe that (would the reporter care to count how many?), but not this one.
My problem with gender socilization is that it attempts to assign all the so-called feminine characteristics to women and all the so-called masculine characteristics to men, regardless of individual personality traits. Like any system that forces a person to make a false choice (are you brainy or brawny? a lover or a fighter? a saint or a sinner?), this deeply ingrained radical gender extremism damages human beings of both sexes, starting at birth. It makes our society very, very sick.
So, personally, I'm not threatened at all by the idea that some boys might be born with extreme feminine traits (or girls with extreme masculine traits). Sounds perfectly natural and non-essentialist to me. If they feel they need to have surgery in order to feel normal, I have nothing against that. I also have nothing against dissatisfied customers warning other potential surgery candidates that surgery might make them feel even worse. But is there any real grounds for taking away the choice altogether rather than ensuring that people make an informed choice? Taking away choices is not what feminism is about.
Yes, perhaps it is sad that some people feel they have to change their genitals to 'match' the gender they were born with - but I haven't the slightest idea what it feels like to be transgendered, and I don't think it's my business to tell other people how they ought to feel. I didn't think that was feminism's business either. Did the original article really need to set this up as a naked mud-wrestling match between feminists and trannies? Or does that just make it more fun? I guess it's all just part of the sick society we know and love. And perpetuate. Sigh.
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@Just Kelly
[Read the article: Is a sex change operation liberating or mutilating?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Thank you for posting. You made my day.
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@brightstar
[Read the article: Is a sex change operation liberating or mutilating?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"so why are men NOT granted the full range of choices in life in how much male or female they express?"
I'm guessing you already know this, but the unacceptability of gender bending is not perpetrated primarily by women, and there is a movement that actively works against the forces you feel are working against you. It is called feminism.
I expect it is within your power, without artificial hormones, to be more yourself, and happier. Don't let other people's expectations sabotage what you know to be true and authentic about yourself. Stop letting other people define you. You have choices, and you have a duty to yourself and your community to choose what makes you happy and functional.