Men Trapped in Men's Bodies Narratives of Autogynephilic Transsexualism
Produktdetaljer
Biografisk notat
As a child, he played with trucks and action figures and wanted to be a firefighter. As a youth, he began dressing up in his mother's clothes and becoming sexually aroused. When he started dating, he dreamed of being his girlfriends. "What am I?" he asked his therapist. "A transsexual? A transvestite? Something else?" This vignette describes a man who experiences autogynephilia: a paraphilic disorder in which men who are attracted to women are also erotically aroused by the idea of being women and sometimes want to undergo sex reassignment and live as women. Men Trapped in Men's Bodies explores the phenomenon of autogynephilia, arguing cogently that it accounts for many cases of male-to-female (MtF) transsexualism in Western countries. The book demonstrates that not all MtF transsexuals conform to the familiar stereotype of women trapped in men's bodies: Many resemble-and even describe themselves as-men trapped in men's bodies. Sometimes at odds with conventional wisdom about the interrelationships of sex, gender, and sexuality, the book examines the manifestations and clinical implications of autogynephilia, based on narratives provided by over 300 autogynephilic MtF transsexuals and transgender persons: stories of shame and confusion, courage and self-acceptance. The final chapter examines current and possible future treatment options for autogynephilic gender dysphoric men. Included in this important volume are: * Narratives by autogynephilic transsexuals * Developmental histories of autogynephilic transsexuals * Descriptions of different types of autogynephilia * Autogynephilia's relationship to heterosexuality * Narratives by nontranssexual autogynephiles * Contrasting views of the meaning of autogynephilia For researchers who study gender dysphoria, MtF transsexualism, paraphilias, and related conditions, and for clinicians who treat patients with these conditions, Men Trapped in Men's Bodies provides an essential resource for understanding an underappreciated aspect of MtF transsexualism. For MtF transsexuals and transgender persons, as well as their partners, family members, friends, and associates, the book is a welcome new source of information and validation.<p>“In this highly informative book, Lawrence analyzes theory and research on autogynephilia and presents excerpts from a rich array of first-person narratives collected from autogynephilic individuals. … Her prose is clear, crisp, precise, and facilitates understanding of a complex phenomenon. In sum, Lawrence has written a book that will be of great value to researchers, clinicians, lay people, and, perhaps most importantly of all, to people who experience autogynephilic feelings and desires.” (Richard A. Lippa, Archives of Sexual Behavior, Vol. 44, 2015)</p>
These narratives about autogynephilia by autogynephilic male-to-female (MtF) transsexuals provide the first comprehensive documentation of the erotic ideation that underlies the most common form of MtF transsexualism. The narratives provide empirical evidence for Blanchard's theory of MtF transsexual motivation, and thus are of interest to researchers and theorists studying the phenomenology of MtF transsexualism. The narratives are likely to be eye-opening to psychologists, psychiatrists, physicians, and other professionals who work with MtF transsexuals: Most clinicians probably do not fully appreciate the erotic underpinnings of their clients' condition. A better understanding of their clients' autogynephilic feelings and motivations would enable these professionals to provide more empathetic and effective clinical care.
These narratives about autogynephilia by autogynephilic male-to-female (MtF) transsexuals provide the first comprehensive documentation of the erotic ideation that underlies the most common form of MtF transsexualism.
As a child, he played with trucks and action figures and wanted to be a firefighter. As a
youth, he began dressing up in his mother's clothes and becoming sexually aroused. When
he started dating, he dreamed of being his girlfriends. "What am I?" he asked his therapist.
"A transsexual? A transvestite? Something else?"
This vignette describes a man who experiences autogynephilia: a paraphilic disorder in
which men who are attracted to women are also erotically aroused by the idea of being
women and sometimes want to undergo sex reassignment and live as women. Men
Trapped in Men's Bodies explores the phenomenon of autogynephilia, arguing cogently
that it accounts for many cases of male-to-female (MtF) transsexualism in Western
countries. The book demonstrates that not all MtF transsexuals conform to the familiar
stereotype of women trapped in men's bodies: Many resemble—and even describe
themselves as—men trapped in men's bodies. Sometimes at odds with conventional
wisdom about the interrelationships of sex, gender, and sexuality, the book examines
the manifestations and clinical implications of autogynephilia, based on narratives
provided by over 300 autogynephilic MtF transsexuals and transgender persons: stories
of shame and confusion, courage and self-acceptance. The final chapter examines current
and possible future treatment options for autogynephilic gender dysphoric men.
Included in this important volume are:
• Narratives by autogynephilic transsexuals
• Developmental histories of autogynephilic transsexuals
• Descriptions of different types of autogynephilia
• Autogynephilia's relationship to heterosexuality
• Narratives by nontranssexual autogynephiles
• Contrasting views of the meaning of autogynephilia
For researchers whostudy gender dysphoria, MtF transsexualism, paraphilias, and
related conditions, and for clinicians who treat patients with these conditions, Men
Trapped in Men's Bodies provides an essential resource for understanding an underappreciated
aspect of MtF transsexualism. For MtF transsexuals and transgender persons,
as well as their partners, family members, friends, and associates, the book is a welcome
new source of information and validation.