Introduction
Two-hour special Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric explores the changing landscape of gender. It’s a sensitive topic, but the people featured in this article agreed to share their stories.
Educators and parents can benefit from a new resource created by Journeys in Film: a discussion guide on the topic of gender. Gender Revolution is a documentary that aims to change people’s attitudes towards the idea of gender. The contents of the video have been assembled and have been put in motion by a group of people from various walks of life who have come together to create awareness about this issue. one can find the documentary on YouTube and other authorized online platforms. The documentary talks about how gender roles are enforced and how this impacts society and individuals. It also talks about how these roles are imposed on children from an early age and what can be done to change this.
Katie Couric is trying to bring together people with different opinions and perspectives who want to take up the responsibility of changing mindsets toward gender equality. The video offers interactive, informative, and supportive resources for transgender, non-binary, and questioning people. It also offers resources for partners of transgender people, parents of transgender children, co-workers of transgender people, etc. A person can select from the different topics on the homepage to explore more about their gender identity. Women are not the only ones who want to be treated equally. Men are also joining this movement as they want their voices heard and their rights respected. The gender revolution documentary has impacted our society, including how we dress, work, and think about our future goals.
Literature Review
Gender Revolution
Katie Couric’s documentary Gender Revolution was an opportunity to explore the complex and evolving experiences of gender. It was a phenomenal chance to share the voices of pioneers in the transgender community, who redefine what it means to be a man or woman. This article provides an overview of academic literature on transgender studies, gender identity, and feminism in Western societies, including how relations with other global cultures have shaped all three. The literature and research on transgender studies and the feminist movement have provided a platform to explore the multifaceted and complicated trans community.
Couric’s film stood out in its effort to bring recognition to transgender people, who seem to be on a path to mainstream legitimacy. Gender Revolution has also been a means through which trans people’s critiques of feminism and gender identity politics can be further analyzed by the public, challenging the mainstream media’s efforts to limit their movement towards inclusion in American culture (Elizabeth,2013). Although there is a greater acceptance of transgender people than ever before, Couric’s film exemplified how trans communities are still seeking validation from cultural institutions for their identities. Despite their struggles and achievements in the fight for acceptance, transgender people are still left frustrated by the pervasive challenges of gender norms.
Transgender community
Transgender studies and feminism have existed for decades, with each movement competing for legitimacy to explain modern gender identity. The two movements have become entwined over time and reflect how contemporary culture has evolved around gender identity. The trans community has also been affected by globalization, colonialism, and third-world nationalism. Gender Revolution helped shed light on gender fluidity and the role of larger cultural narratives in defining what it means to be a man or woman across different cultures.
Transgender studies are a relatively new field that only started gaining critical mass in the late 1990s. The term “transgender” was coined in the 1950s by Harry Benjamin’s sexologist. Before the modern transgender movement, crossdressing was often explained through frameworks of mental illness instead of sexual identity. Transgender studies began in academic writing with transgender people and issues gaining visibility in feminist texts for their similarities with feminist dilemmas concerning gender and sexuality. The transgender community has historically shared interest with feminism as both movements seek greater equality for women and men. Gender Revolution brought these two communities together to share experiences and build mutual understanding to help individuals feel validated within their community (Cotter et al.,2011).
Over several decades, the topic of gender has emerged as a central concern in psychology and a hotly debated topic in general. There are two different approaches to studying this field that have been proposed: naturalistic observation and laboratory experimentation. With both methods in play, a great deal of research is carried out to discover new ways for people to understand one another and identify trends in their development over time.
A transgender activist named Autumn Elizabeth describes what it is like to be a transgender individual and her struggle to break the binary. Autumn Elizabeth claims that not everybody feels they identify with one gender alone but instead identifies as both or neither. According to an article on the New Yorker website, “Couric quotes studies showing that only about three per cent of people can’t be classified as either male or female. “In this argument, Autumn Elizabeth says that just ignoring or discrediting these studies because only three percent of people cannot be categorized as either male or female does not mean that transgender identities do not exist. Furthermore, the article says that “In fact, many experts think that the figure may be higher than three per cent—for example, some research suggests that at least one in twenty-five hundred people are born with ambiguous genitalia.” Suppose there is even a chance of somebody being born in a body different from what they identify with it, then more and more people will have to start rethinking and accepting the transgender identity. It is not that people believe that transgender identities don’t exist; it is just that they haven’t fully grasped or thought about the concept (Kolker et al.,2019).
This article by Autumn Elizabeth is important because it brings attention to a subject many people have never thought about or heard of. It also brings up an argument by saying why some people may be concerned about gender reassignment surgery. For one reason, most people do not understand how genders are socially constructed and how this affects them daily. Also, most individuals who claim to be transgender do not feel limited to one gender but are gender fluid which means they feel like they may identify as both or neither at different times in their life (Kade). Most people don’t want to think about this because it messes with their minds. It is hard to imagine how one can be both male and female or neither of the two. I agree with this article because it brings up a very important subject in our world that many people do not have much knowledge or understanding of.
As non-binary, trans people, the experience of being yourself in a world that insists on categorizing you into boxes can be difficult. A study led by Abbie Goldberg indicated that college-aged non-binary and transgender students feel increasingly out of place when they cannot fit neatly into an established gender category. Even more surprisingly, we find that college-aged non-binary and transgender students’ lack of belonging is nearly entirely due to the discomfort they experience when they wish to engage in a public and other activities while feeling unsure of their gender identity. We conclude by suggesting that non-binary and transgender students may benefit from community-based interventions aimed at helping them understand the importance of their own experiences based on communication with others who share the same struggles (Goldberg et al.,2018).
Sexual Identity
The binary gender system is commonly accepted and reinforced in Western societies. It is structured around the idea that there are only two genders: male and female, with a vague third option of “intersex” (Barbee et al., 2019). The labels don’t work very well, but the consensus is that sexual orientation is who you are attracted to. Sexual identity is who you are naturally and who you feel comfortable identifying. If a transwoman is attracted to other transwomen and identifies as female, they would be described as a lesbian. In this article, Paz Galupo and her colleagues would like to know if transgender individuals perceive their sexual orientation and sexual identities in the same way that psychology has traditionally described these. They interviewed seven transgender individuals about their sexual orientation and their sexual identity. They found that people referred to “sexual orientation” as having different but similar feelings toward different genders, while “sexual identity” was described as a sense of who one is (or feels inside) (Galupo et al.,2016). The authors conclude that the traditional sexual orientation and sexual identity models do not apply to all people. The findings in this article go hand in hand with what Katie Couric delivers in her documentary. Both the two works try to define sexual identity to their audience.
When a child is born intersex, diagnostic workups and surgery are necessary for the person to follow a socially and medically defined gender binary. Georgiann’s clinical research explores the complex social, medical, and political implications of early surgical intervention on children whose bodies do not fit conventional standards of male or female. She argues that young children are forced into genital surgeries based on their assigned sex (usually based on appearance) without fully understanding these procedures. This can result in severe mutilation, loss of sexual sensation, lifelong depression, and self-loathing. Georgiann also writes about the professional politics surrounding intersex, particularly on the subject of intersex advocacy groups. She argues that these groups are often ineffective and even harmful because they perpetuate the idea that surgeries are an answer to intersex situations. She argues that intersex conditions should be seen as natural variations and not something shameful or broken that needs to be fixed (Davis,2017).
For nearly a century and a half, National Geographic has been a leading source for cultural and scholarly content. Gender science and the evolution of our society’s conception of gender are not exceptions to this rule. It’s all around us, and we can’t escape it. A growing number of celebrities are speaking out about the issue. Gender-based issues affect everyone in our society daily, including our children, parents, teachers, doctors, and elected officials. Everywhere we looked, people and organizations were attempting to reshape traditional gender roles. In Sweden, fathers can take advantage of a generous paternity leave policy after the birth of their child, and some men reject binary gender roles and discover their true selves on the gender spectrum.
Media analysis
In all of its guises, every form of media is constantly bombarding us with information. We consume a staggering amount of media, ranging from movies and television shows to books. We may not be aware of it, but we are forming our identities and defining our values due to the messages we receive from the media. Even before LGBTQ+ people started making bigger waves in the entertainment industry, accepting their identities, and coming out publicly, the media has always provided a narrative for sexual orientation and gender identity; it was not intentional until recently. And now that there is more representation on television, in movies, and books/literature, there is finally a message that portrays LGBTQ+ people as all-around normal human beings with no flaws, which is a welcome development.
However, this is not the only thing the media has been up to. In addition, the media has been promoting a narrative that portrays sexual orientation and gender identity as the “correct” way to be while publicly shaming those who do not conform to its expectations
(Kade,2021). This message is so pervasive in Hollywood films that when a film featuring LGBTQ+ people does not fit within what Hollywood considers “good,” it either fails to make money at the box office or receives negative reviews. For example, Jennifer Lopez’s film The Wedding Planner, which was released in 2006, received negative reviews because it featured characters who were openly gay.
“I don’t see how the film will be able to draw in a large audience. It’s a little too edgy. Adding that The Wedding Planner includes a gay character who died due to AIDS, Noel stated he was “not interested in that material.” The film grossed only $59 million at the box office and received a negative rating of 27 percent on the Rotten Tomatoes website, which tracks critical reception.
It was nominated for a 2007 GayVN Award and advanced to the semi-finals because of its portrayal of homosexuality, which gained mainstream acceptance in society due to the film.
This is a must-see!! Even though this occurred several years ago, it is extremely relevant to Hollywood’s current place!
The representation of the LGBTQ+ community in television shows has been met with a similar level of criticism because it does not fall within what Hollywood considers to be “good.”
Ellen DeGeneres’ show, which recently aired a controversial segment many viewers felt was homophobic, ignited controversy. One of the most popular daytime talk shows, the show, which has been nominated for several Emmy awards and is one of the most-watched, featured two men talking about overcoming their attraction to [other] men. In this segment, Ellen DeGeneres, who was hosting the show, laughed along with the two men, who explained that they would prefer to be straight if they could and that their attraction to other men was similar to that of being transgender.
DISCUSSION/RESEARCH RECOMMENDATIONS
Katie Couric was one of the first to take on the taboo subject of gender discrimination in America, and she has just come out with a new documentary entitled Gender Revolution. In her documentary, Katie speaks with experts from all ends of the spectrum about gender identity and shares her personal experience. From learning to be who you are at any age to rebelling against expectations and assumptions, she challenges preconceptions head-on. Katie’s people all have different stories to tell about gender identity. Caroline Cossey was born with male anatomy and had to go through a series of operations as a child until she could come to terms with her identity. Her story is especially emotional because she grew up when being open about her sexuality was taboo, making her desire to be who she truly was even harder for her. The documentary does an excellent job of taking you inside the mind of someone who had to deal with much discrimination for simply being different than what society wanted them to be.
We have witnessed a dramatic change in gender equality for the longest time (Goldberg et al.,2018). Many people describe this event as a gender revolution. Women can now compete favorably with men in the workplace despite the notion that was there in the past that women should stick to their household responsibilities. As a result of the numerous psychologists who have expressed their displeasure with the gender-based movement, much investigation has been conducted to determine why these studies are so controversial. An article explaining both sides of the psychology-gender debate will help us plan our future studies better. A significant portion of the film is devoted to Couric’s interviews with individuals who do not fit neatly into the male or female gender binary and their parents. People of all ages, including 4-year-old Ellie and a senior citizen named Kate Rohr, were open about their struggles to live authentic lives following who they truly are rather than what their bodies were designed for. Aside from learning new terms like “bi sexual,” “non-binary,” and the like, anyone who watches the documentary will see Couric experiment with a slew of other terms. She discovers that “transgender” is a derogatory term and not a quest for identity and that gender fluidity means that one’s identity can shift from day to day, week to week, or even over time. Couric was told by Sam Killermann, the creator of the “gingerbread person” meme: “Gender is just who you go to sleep as, sexual preference is just who you go to sleep with” in Gender 101.
We need to end this toxic cycle by creating policies that encourage people who feel left out because of the gender definitions to rise and become who they want in society.
The film by Couric inspires and educates its audience why treating everyone with the utmost respect is very important.
CONCLUSION
We will never resolve the problem of Gender inequities as long as we continue holding the notion that there is a gender that is superior to the other. It has been reported that many cases of gender violence are recorded in low-income families. We can only resolve this as a society by eradicating political and economic imbalances between the two genders. Even though this film is heavily slanted toward Americans, other cultures accept unconventional gender identities more readily. Men were raised “in the manner of a woman” and had a feminine appearance. Their role in the family of origin is said to be significant. Both India and Mexico have a third gender. According to a Talmudic scholar I had never heard of, there were six genders in ancient Jewish texts.
Finally, Renee Richards and Hari Neff have a one-on-one conversation about their transgender journeys. Generational divides emerge quickly. Richards sees men and women as two distinct categories. She used to be a man. Women now exist. According to her, boys could wear blue, and girls must wear pink. Pink is her golf tees. To her, chromosomes define gender and are the only way to describe human life. Even though we continue to live in a binary world, Neff believes this is the cause of our problems rather than the solution. “The world has a hard-on” for the binary, for pink/blue for man/woman, argues Neff. In her “gender chill” future, we should “chill out more about the freaking gender thing.” Renee Richards says it’s a learning experience, but a gender-free society is a pipe dream. Back to Couric’s original question: Where is the gender revolution? Gender equality is still a hot topic in our society. Identifying as transgender, intersex, or genderqueer is okay, or is the gender revolution about ending discrimination? Is Hari Nef right when he says it’s about gender erasure? Couric says we’ll need time to adjust to a new world awaits us. There’s a lot to talk about in this film, so it’s perfect for a sociology class. The uplifting stories of caring parents, doctors, and families will always require a healthy dose of reality. The film’s provocative themes will benefit gender courses, presenting a greater pedagogical challenge. Sociology of gender courses should focus on how gender inequality is embedded in society beyond individual identities. According to the film’s meta-message, the existence of a gender spectrum is explained by abnormally high or low levels of testosterone and estrogen in utero. These aren’t your average sociology meta-messages.
In Couric’s view, the gender revolution should be accepted as a natural expression of human diversity. Your idea is fantastic, and I wholeheartedly support it. But I challenge my sociology colleagues to use this film to spark difficult gender discussions in their classes. What happens now that we’ve established that everyone has the right to choose their gender? Doesn’t gender still legitimize inequality? Males are expected to be athletic and excel in science, while females excel in the arts and humanities. Unemployed men aren’t seen as valuable family members and don’t have to bear the brunt of childcare responsibilities. Gender structures exist and have an impact on millennials’ lives, according to the millennials I interviewed for my new book. According to sociologist Kathleen Gerson’s research, women would rather go it alone than become economically dependent, while men would settle for wives who revert to more traditional wifely roles if equality proves difficult to achieve. The gender revolution has stalled, according to sociologist Paula England. This film can be used to teach students about gender diversity and civil rights for those who cross or reject the gender binary. But it’s difficult for sociologists to engage students in a theoretically complex discussion of gender as a social structure that legitimizes inequality.
References
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