In
most cases, no treatment is necessary as cross-dressing not considered an
illness. If the cross-dressing is out of control and becomes compulsive, then,
anti-compulsion drugs are sometimes prescribed.
So, Cross-dressing May Be Biologically Bound--Does This Mean
I CANNOT Stop?
Not
according to Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychiatrist. He espoused that little
boys naturally exhibit certain feminine characteristics, which are intrinsic to
all people, regardless of gender. He called this feminine side our Anima.
However, parents, in an attempt successfully rear their boys into manly men;
discourage all displays of the feminine in their sons. These feminine behaviors
may be extremely subtle, and the corresponding parental disapproval, perhaps
even more so. Jung contends that children are extremely receptive to cues of
approval and disapproval. So perhaps a little boy exhibits even a look or a
stance, which is perceived as feminine by his parents, and he receives in
response, a raised eyebrow, or even a slight frown. This exchange may occur on
such a sub-conscious level, that neither the boy, nor his parent, even realizes
that it has taken place. However, the young boy registers that transaction in
his forming mind, and thus begins the negative association with that natural,
feminine part of him, his Anima. He makes sure that he represses all feminine
behaviors from that moment on. Alternatively, does he? Jung sustained that it
is impossible to thwart something that is intrinsic to our nature, such as our
inherent masculine and feminine traits (in Jungian thought, those being the
Animus and Anima, respectively). The outward manifestation of the Anima will
surface again, and often, when it does, it can be in traditionally unacceptable
ways, such as cross-dressing. In Jungian psychology, however, the act of
cross-dressing is a path toward embracing one's Anima, and a very pivotal part
of the human experience and growth process. However, cross-dressing is but a
stepping-stone toward self-actualization. The complete man, is one who may go
through a period of embracing his feminine side by way of cross-dressing, but
who also eventually transforms into neither masculine nor feminine, but rather
becomes a new being, a very healthy embodiment of both. Jung contends that the
man that allows himself to cross-dress, as a healthy vehicle toward to the
ultimate acceptance and integration of his feminine self, will eventually no
longer need to cross-dress, once those two facets of his being, the Anima and
the Animus merge. Jung contends that the man who is stuck in the cross-dressing
phase of his life experiences arrested development.
Is cross-dressing/transvestism a disorder?
Clinicians
classify “transvestic fetishism” under the category of “gender identity
disorder,” according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-4. It is not considered a problem unless “the
fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors cause clinically significant distress or
impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
When a male goes to therapy for transvestism, it is not because he wants to be
“fixed,” most likely he just wants to be accepted. The clinician may try to address depression
that is often associated with the inability to fulfill satisfactorily the need
to cross-dress. Moreover, when a couple
goes to a therapist, it is most likely to address how the cross-dressing has
affected the relationship, but not to “cure” the individual.
Is There a Cure?
There
is no cure for Cross-dressing for the simple reason that Cross-dressing is not
an illness but a state of being. Cross-dressers are-"born and not
made". Think of it this way - if you always desired to have the Tagalong
type of cookie and your friend always desired the Lemonade type of cookie.
However, something happened in society that suddenly made desiring the Tagalong
type of cookie not "socially acceptable" by societal norms. Does that
also suddenly stop making you desire the Tagalong type of cookie? Has desiring
Tagalong cookies suddenly become an "illness" that someone else needs
to "cure"? Of course not. When viewed with a broader perspective one
can see that the desire to cross-dress is also one's personal desire.
The
chief adjustment problem cross-dressers face is societal attitudes. While these
have been changing since cross-dressers appeared on the Donahue Show in 1987,
acceptance is far from complete. Because of possible consequences to families,
jobs and friends, many cross-dressers live shrouded in secrecy. Some
cross-dressers deny their feminine side and dispose of their clothing, only to
return to cross-dressing later, frustrated by the amputation of so significant
a part of their personality. Some seek
therapy, but as many therapists are not knowledgeable about cross-gender
issues, cross dressers sometimes find themselves educating the therapist rather
than getting the help they seek. Nor are psychiatric drugs of benefit. There is
no “cure” for cross-dressing, and most cross-dressers do not want one!
What Type of People are
Cross-dressers?
Cross-dressers
come from all occupations and every stratum of society. Spouses, parents,
children and friends are Cross-dressers. There are no distinctions.
Cross-dressers come from all occupations, races, creeds, and economic
backgrounds. The phenomenon dates back many thousands of years. In some
cultures, especially some Native American tribes, they were highly respected as
shamans. Most cross-dressers are well educated and come from conventional
family backgrounds. The clear majority is heterosexual and most are, or have
been, married. Most are happy in their masculinity, and only a small percentage
opts to live as women full time. A few women are cross-dressers, but they are
much less numerous than their male counterparts. Perhaps this is due to the
relative latitude society grants to women in matters of dress and
self-expression.
·
Hua Mulan· Pope Joan · Joan of Arc · Anne Bonny and Mary Read Bonnie Prince Charlie · Chevalier d'Eon · George Sand (Amandine-Aurore-Lucile
Dupin) · Dorothy Lawrence · Rrose Sélavy,· J. S. G. Boggs · Yasumasa
Morimura · Grayson Perry · Billy
Tipton · Willmer "Little Ax"
Broadnax · Edward Hyde, 3rd Earl of Clarendon · Eddie Izzard
See
List of Transgendered people at http://zagria.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html
Can one make a crossdresser stop?
http://crossdressersociety.com/crossdressing-faq
This
is probably the worst thing anyone can do. Forcing them to stop and purging
their feminine side could have disastrous consequences. Most likely he would
binge later on as the cross-dressing urge would be even stronger. Besides the
pressure will still be there and could lead to violent break outs or emotional
distress. There is no “cure” for cross-dressing, and most cross-dressers do not
want one!
Because
of possible consequences to families, jobs, and friends, many cross-dressers
live shrouded in secrecy. Burdened by fear and guilt, some cross-dressers deny
their feminine side and dispose of their clothing. Usually they are frustrated
by this elimination of a significant part of their personalities, and
eventually return to feminine self-expression. Some seek therapy, but as many
therapists are not knowledgeable about cross gender issues, they sometimes find
themselves educating the therapist rather than getting the help they seek. Nor
are psychiatric drugs of benefit.
Can Cross-dressing Be "Cured"?
http://www.tri-ess.org/cd01.html
The
chief adjustment problem cross-dressers face is societal attitudes. While these have been changing since
cross-dressers appeared on the Donahue Show in 1987, acceptance is far from
complete. Because of possible
consequences to families, jobs and friends, many cross-dressers live shrouded
in secrecy. Some cross-dressers deny
their feminine side and dispose of their clothing, only to return to
cross-dressing later, frustrated by the amputation of so significant a part of
their personality. Some seek therapy,
but as many therapists are not knowledgeable about cross gender issues, cross
dressers sometimes find themselves educating the therapist rather than getting
the help they seek. Nor are psychiatric
drugs of benefit. There is no “cure” for cross-dressing, and most
cross-dressers do not want one!
There are several
theories but they are all inconclusive.
There are no scientifically substantiated genetic or organic causes for
transvestism. The latest research
suggests that it is a psychological condition.
What is the difference
between transvestites and transsexuals?
Transvestites have a need
to wear clothing normally worn by women, and to look like women. Transsexuals want to ‘be’ women. Transvestites may use padding, silicone, and
makeup to look like women but never alter their physical appearance. Transsexuals may take hormones to reshape
their bodies, grow real breasts, and some may opt to have sex reassignment
surgery. According to Vernon Coleman’s
survey of 1,016 cross-dressers, most men (77%) do not have an interest in
changing sex. They are perfectly
comfortable being males.
What Cross-dressers
(TRANSVESTITES) Are Not
While
many cross-dressers are ordinary heterosexual men with an additional feminine
dimension, they are stereotyped by society based on a highly visible minority
who cross-dress for entirely different reasons.
The
widely accepted theory that transvestites are homosexual is absurdly persistent
and it is one of the reasons why so many cross-dressers are secretive about
what they do. Many transvestites are staunchly heterosexual. Eight out of ten
men who cross-dress have had only heterosexual experiences. The incidence of
homosexuality is much the same among transvestites as it is among the rest of
the male population.
The
Marjory of people believes that transvestites are men that have not gone
through with the surgery to become female. Most men who cross-dress want to
remain male; they have no interest in or enthusiasm for changing sex. Over 77%
of cross-dressers have no interest in changing sex.
Does Cross-dressing Influence
Sexuality?
A
person's sexual preference or sexuality is independent of their mental gender
identity. Human sexual diversity exists amongst Cross-dressers in the same
basic proportions as it does in the general community. In fact, as
Cross-dressers are part of the general community, your "average"
Cross-dresser is likely to be heterosexual, to have married and have children.
What is it Like Being a Cross-dresser?
Most
Cross-dressers discover their need to cross-dress during childhood. They have
no idea why they feel the way they do, yet quickly find that the expression of
this part of their nature results in reprimand and alienation from parents,
family and friends - the people they love and value the most. This can result
in the development of unreasonable feelings of unhealthy personal shame.
So
most, Cross-dressers become secretive about their Cross-dressing and, doing
their best to deny and suppress this essential part of their being, grow
fulfilling themselves as human being in all the other ways they can. However,
being a Cross-dresser does not "go away" any more than the essential
self-can ever go away. Sustained denial of the expression of this essential
self can result in severe emotional disturbance.
Shame,
fear and loneliness find expression in thought with such questions as -
"Would my best friends, workmates, family, father / mother, wife / partner
and my children still want me and love me if they knew this part of me or would
they reject me with scorn or fear?".
Many
Cross--dressers ultimately find it impossible and intolerable to exist like
this. They feel compelled to learn about themselves and to "open up"
to the significant others in their lives. Rejection may occur; most often
Cross-dressers are surprised at the level of acceptance they receive, which so
often reflects the level of their own self-acceptance. They liberate themselves
to enjoy the exhilaration of the expression of this essential part of their being
through Cross-dressing.
On
a much more positive note, most Cross Dressers are more loving, sympathetic,
and compassionate. They are gentle, caring and nurturing people. They are very
sensitive and have a strong desire to share their feelings and respond to the
needs of others.
What Should You Do If You
Know a Cross-dresser?
Be
open-minded. Be prepared to learn some sensible realities about cross-dressing.
Above
all, know and remind yourself that being a Cross-dresser will not change the
child, the partner, parent or friend you know and maybe love, into someone
different. After all the only real difference is that, you know! Continue to
see the individual person and allow yourself the gifts of an open heart and
open mind!
Isn't Cross-Dressing Just a Step to Sexual Reassignment?
Again, the answer is a resounding NO. In
fact, the NO cannot be made sufficiently emphatic. Sex Reassignment Surgery
(SRS) or Sex Change Surgery" as it is sometimes called, is quite another
thing. This is a sexual thing at the very core. Diagnostically, the person from
the very earliest ages, many even before the onset of puberty, is aware of a
feeling most commonly said to be "trapped in the wrong body" in a
sexual identity dysphoric condition. Such people are diagnosed as
"Transsexuals" for their fundamental feeling set has equally deep
roots, which are quite apart from clothing and are directed to their anatomical
structures and many times to the sexual anatomy of those to whom they are
attracted sexually. This condition is recognized as a medical condition which
is commonly treated by long-term psychotherapy, long-term hormonal therapy and
finally by surgical alteration of the person's external genitalia. This
condition is found in both those born female and those born male. The
predominance is among males. A terribly distressing situation has arisen in
conjunction with the proliferation in recent years of the so-called
"Gender Clinics" (a terribly misnomer, as it were) and the relative
ease with which many individuals have been admitted to the surgical suites.
This has led to a phenomenon in which borderline individuals have sought to
bolster their own decision to assume the identity and goals of the true
transsexual by "recruiting" and otherwise influencing other insecure,
confused, and often gullible individuals to set forth on the same course of
action. This has been encouraged it seems, by some individuals in the
"Gender Clinic" business for obvious reasons. SRS is not inexpensive....
