I know I've explained this before but here it is again. The reason that Ray Blanchard wanted to downplay early childhood narratives of longing to be the other sex by his patients, is that they didn't work well if he was to prove that sexual dysfunction was the cause of their dysphoria.
However, if we place dysphoria as the source of the arousal, then things start to make sense. The child experiences frustration around the reality of their situation and upon entering puberty their longing takes on sexual overtones which Julia Serano simply calls "female embodiment fantasies".This is usually calmed and/or resolved upon entering an HRT regimen.
Again, there are people who enjoy cross gender expression specifically for the payoff of arousal and I am not refering to them (some even gladly identify as AGP although I am hard pressed to comprehend why when we can simply use the term fetish). I am only speaking here on how early childhood gender dysphoria can be tinged with and overlap with the formation of sexuality starting at puberty.
By the way, the reason I am talking about Blanchard again recently is that he has been making appearances on some rather unsavory channels with (you guessed it) obvious agendas.
Will wonders never cease (insert eye roll).
"how early childhood gender dysphoria can be tinged with and overlap with the formation of sexuality starting at puberty."
ReplyDeleteAs someone who at the at the puberty age (and not before) had an insatiable urge to want to wear women's clothes (which brought on huge amounts of guilt and shame growing up in the 80's), it is something I look back on and always question.
-Christina
This is the part you need to figure out for yourself...in other words how much is this part of your intrinsic identity. It's the what I do versus who I am :))
DeleteOh I know. It is constant analysis. I'm in a good place but I always have some doubts because I over analyze everything. An over active mind.
DeleteJoin the club:)
DeleteLOL. Thanks for the laugh! :)
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