BEMS GENDER SCHEMA

TRANSSEXUAL PEOPLE COMING TO TERMS WITH THEIR GENDER IDENTITIES

Joshua M. Cauble | Western Carolina University

BEMS GENDER SCHEMA

Cognitive-Developmental and Social Learning Theory
Dr. Sandra Bem

Three key research findings:

Observation that the developing child invariably learns his or

her societys cultural definitions of maleness and

femaleness (pg. 603).
Anatomy, family and work roles, and emotional characteristics of
community members.

various

The child learns to recognize and organize incoming

information in gender-based categories.

Colors (pink for girls, blue for boys), personality traits (gentle for
women,
aggressive for men), career aspirations (teacher, nurse, firefighter, pro football
player), and hobbies (dance and sports).

Individuals construct and experience their self concept within

the framework of these gender-based categories.

Link male/female elements to themselves based on the category in
they feel they belong.

which

Bems Sex Role Inventory (BSRI)

Designed to measure the extent to which individuals

report subscribing to what may be viewed as socially

desirable, stereotypically masculine or feminine
characteristics.
Seven point scale for sixty characteristics
Not binary

Bems Sex Role Types:

High on masculinity and

femininity
Androgynous

Low on masculinity and

femininity
Undifferentiated

High on masculinity and

low on femininity
Masculine

Low on masculinity and

high on femininity
Feminine

GENDER TRAJECTORIES: TRANSSEXUAL

PEOPLE COMING TO TERMS WITH THEIR
GENDER IDENTITIES
Nuno Pinto and Carla Moleiro

Whats in the name?

Transgendered

Can be used as an

umbrella term for

individuals within this
category.
More emotional, and not
physical traits.
Most do not go through
physical changes.

Transsexual

Not an umbrella term.

Older term used by

medical doctors and

psychologist.
Name most used by
those who have
physically altered their
bodies to represent the
gender they prefer.

Chaz Bono

Laverne Cox

Participants:
22 self-identified transsexuals
14 Male to Female (MTF)
8 Female to Male (FTM)
Ages 16 55
20 identified as heterosexual (ie: MTF attracted to Males)
2 identified as homosexual (ie: MTF attracted to Females)
9 live according to their identity
Physical alterations to their bodies

9 beginning their transition

No (or beginning stages of) physical alterations
4 identify as transsexual but do not live that life

In-depth interviews with the Pinto and Moleiro

Case Study 1:
Taylor, a cross-dressing male student who lives in one of
the residence halls at your university, has experienced
constant harassment ever since his roommate discovered
him in traditional female clothing, and has told others. Now
it seems that everyone on campus knows that he crossdresses in private. He has heard others in his building
make negative comments about that faggot and, at one
point, anti-gay slogans were scrawled on the dry erase
board of his door. His roommate has been so hostile that
Taylor does not feel safe in the room. Taylor would like to
continue to live on campus, but cannot afford a single
room.

Case Study 1 Questions:

Assuming the role of an administrator in residence life,

how do you serve his needs?

If you were to work elsewhere in student affairs, how

might you advocate on Taylors behalf if he asks for your

support?

Case Study 2:
Your universitys health plan has a clause specifically
excluding transsexual surgery or any treatment leading to
or in connection with transsexual surgery. The campus
health center is using this clause to deny hormones to
transsexual students, some of whom are protesting the
policy as an act of anti-transgender discrimination.

Case Study 2 Questions:

As Dean of Students, how do you address their

complaint?
If you were to work elsewhere in student affairs, how

would you make a case to the administration on behalf of

the students?