Transgender Discrimination

I chose to write about transgender discrimination because I don't believe it gets enough attention. I am from the nature side of the nature vs. nurture controversy. I believe that transgendered people just like gay or lesbian people were born that way. I hope that as time continues people become more open minded and we can start to learn to incorporate new ideas on gender instead of just man or woman.

The video, Diane Schroer on Transgender Discrimination (2007), is a great example of transgender discrimination. It shows the journey of a US veteran, trying to land a job.

 

I really liked the disscussion that Bridget Bjerke posted in my Sociology class. She writes about an article she read that parents can have a big ingfluence on how children's gender health. The post was found on the Blackboard Learn website. Bridget Bjerke's disussion

Transgender Issues- This link will take you to CNN.com, and the article, I am Transgender, and I want my voice to heard (2010), here I found a great article about the issues transgender people face. The article goes over job discrimination, and the feelings transgender people have about telling others about themselves.

Discrimination- This website, lgbtqnation.com (2011),  shows evidence of discrimination towards transgendered people in areas such as housing, and employment. I feel that this is a travesty, and that all people should be treated equally.

Q & A about transgender people- This is a great website, apa.org (n.d.), that answers all kinds of questions people may have about transgender people and and gender identity. I think that this is a great resource for those that may have questions that they are too embarrassed to ask.

Changing genders, changing policies- I found this great article from the Chronicle of Higher Education. The articles main focus is on how to make transgendered people feel more comfortable in the college setting. I think that there are great points that should be included in a colleges search to make everyone feel welcome will obtaining their education.

Work force discrimination- This link will take you to an article from Career Development quarterly. This article is on a study done to research career discrimination of female to male transgendered workers. I chose this article to show that discrimination in the work force can have many other long lasting consequences in a persons life, such as depression, and even physical illness.

References

American psychological association. (n.d.). Answers to your questions about transgender people, gender identity, and gender expression. Retrieved from
http://www.apa.org/topics/sexuality/transgender.aspx?item=1

Conant, Gaylynn, Schnetzler, Greta. (2009). Changing genders, changing polices. Chronicle of Higher Education, Volume 56 Issue 8. Retrieved from EBSCO Host from University of Idaho Library
http://ida.lib.uidaho.edu:3304/ehost/detail?sid=15eb7748-3bd4-4beb-adcc-8cbb1cc8ef68%40sessionmgr104&vid=4&hid=128&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=f5h&AN=45036887

Diane Schrorer on transgender discrimination. (2007) [video]. Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEPsK_axRqo

Dispenza, Franco; Watson, Laurel; Barry Chung, Larry; Brack, Greg. (2012). Experience of career related discrimination for female-to-male transgender persons: a qualitative study. Career Development Quarterly, Volume 60 Issue 1. Retrieved from EBSCO Host from University of Idaho Library
http://ida.lib.uidaho.edu:3304/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=15eb7748-3bd4-4beb-adcc-8cbb1cc8ef68%40sessionmgr104&vid=9&hid=128

Drug and alcohol rehab Asia. (2008). Deviance and addiction. Retrieved from
http://alcoholrehab.com/alcohol-rehab/deviance-and-addiction/

Duckworth, Rommie.(2012). Bath salts and synthetic marijuana: an emerging threat. Fire Engineering, Volume 165 Issue 11. Retrieved from
http://ida.lib.uidaho.edu:3304/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=78d80a1b-dc13-4611-82e5-4164cee06f43%40sessionmgr115&vid=7&hid=128

Fox News. (2004). The real impact of gay marriage on society. Retrieved from
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,114697,00.html

Hartney, Elizabeth. (2010). Addictive behaviors-from socially acceptable to deviant behavior.  Retrieved from
http://addictions.about.com/od/howaddictionhappens/a/deviant_behavior.htm

Lgbtqnation. (2011). Study reveals widespread discrimination against transgender people. Retrieved from
http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2011/02/study-reveals-widespread-discrimination-against-transgender-people/

Meth inside and out: human impact the cost. (2009). [Video] Retrieved from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?r=exRtYF7p7Rc

Newfield, Maxwell. (2012). Prescription drug deaths: two stories. Retrieved from
http://www.kxly.com/health/Prescription-drug-deaths-Two-stories/-/101030/17415420/-/gbporn/-/index.html

Sarver, Jordan. (2010). I am transgender and I want my voice to be heard. Retrieved from
http://articles.cnn.com/2010-04-14/living/transgender.irpt_1_transgender-gender-identity-illinois?_s=PM:LIVING

Shachter, Ron. (2012). A new prescription for fighting drug abuse. District Administration, Volume 48 Issue 2. Retrieved from
http://ida.lib.uidaho.edu:3304/ehost/detail?sid=8d01a574-5c68-4790-bd1f-62ac08cd577b%40sessionmgr104&vid=7&hid=128&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=f5h&AN=71740197

Drug and Alcohol Use, when is it deviant?

 

I believe that some drug and alcohol use should be considered a form of deviance. I think that any illegal drug use is deviant. But, I also believe the use of legal drugs in a way they were not intended to be used, can also be considered deviant. To me deviance can also include drinking alcohol in excess, whether or not the person would be considered an alcoholic.

The post that I most agreed with on the subject of Deviance from my Sociology course was written by Marie Autiellos.
It states, "I believe that the symbolic interaction theory has the strongest theory of deviance. They believe that deviance is a learned behavior and reinforced by the group they belong to. I want to list two examples, one a general observation and the second one a personal experience. The general example would be with gangs. Many members of gangs start at a very early age. Basically their older siblings or neighborhood associates may be in the gang. At this point I would think they have witness a lot of crime but not actually committed any. However, the child may look up to the older sibling and want to be like them. Once they join the gang they realize they have to participate in criminal actions. Eventually it becomes the norm for them."

The video, Meth inside and out: Human Impact - the cost (2009), is great at showing how not only doing Meth is deviant, but what you will do to get the drug is deviant. I think this shows people the repercussions of Meth use.

Deviance and addiction- This link will take you to the website, alcoholrehab.com (2010). This website has a plethora of good information on addiction and drug use. Although, the website originates in Asia there is also information pertaining to the United States, and many other countries.

Deviant behavior and drug use- The website, about.com (2010),  has a really good visual presentation on deviant behavior, socially problematic behavior, and socially acceptable behavior on addictions of all kinds. I think that they used many different types of addictions that we many not have thought about.


Prescription drug abuse- I found this recent story about a young girl who took just one Prescription pill that was not hers and how it changed many lives on the KXLY.com website (2012). Prescription drug abuse is becoming more and more popular. This topic scares me very much because I have two children, and from what I know about prescription drug abuse is popular with young people.

I also found this article, A New Prescription for Fighting Drug Abuse, that was printed in the District Administration Publication. This article is about the use of prescription drug abuse among US students, and while it provides some statistics it also speaks of prevention!

Another issue facing society today is the threat of bath salts becoming used as a drug. I think that this is a form of deviance in using bath salts as drugs because that is not there intended use. This article Bath Salts and Synthetic Marijuana: An emerging threat, from the publication Fire Engineering, is a very good read because it lays out information on how the bath salts enter the body, how they produce their intended effects but also speaks about the side effects. It also has good information on synthetic marijuana.

Emerging issue in Society: Same Sex Marriage

I chose the legalization of same sex marriage as my emerging issue in society to blog about. I think that if same sex marriage is legalized there will be many sociological issues that we will need to navigate. While I am for same sex marriage, i chose to look into both sides of the issue in relation to sociology.

Those that are against same sex marriage may find some truth in the Functionalist Theory. The functionalist theory states that deviance from the norm is essential and creates more social cohesion with those in the "norm". If we are to let same sexes to marry it will change the societies norms of marriage. If the norms of marriage change then so will the social cohesion of the those believing that the are a part of the social norm.
Another societal issue dealing with same sex marriage would be that the gender roles that are usually in place in the traditional man/woman marriage would change. In heterosexual marriages there are usually very defined gender roles, this is not so with same sex couples. In the same sex marriages you are more likely to see a collaboration towards household duties, child rearing and more. I certainly wish this was the case in my marriage. My husband and I have for the most part have taken on traditional gender roles in our marriage. Truthfully, I am quite tired of doing the dishes, the cooking, the cleaning and most of the child rearing!
I also believe that there are benefits of same sex marriage to our society. One such benefit would be a physically and psychologically healthier society. If same sex marriages are passed many more people would be able to receive health care to stay healthy. Also, many gay and lesbians would not suffer from psychological stress and illness that they face in not being held as equal citizens.
Also, I think that it would be easier for children to be adopted by same sex married couples. With that being said there are still so many hoops for same sex couples to jump through to be able to both become actual parents of the child. To have less orphaned/fostered children would definitely be a benefit that society could use whether financially or emotionally.
I recently found this article, The Real Impact of Gay Marriage On Society on the FoxNews website. It points out issues on both sides of the same sex marriage debate. I think that this is a good article to read, because I believe that you have to me knowledgeable on both sides of the issue to really start to understand what you believe to be right.
I definitely believe that society would change if same sex marriage was legalized!

Welcome

Welcome to my blog about Sociology!

My name is Lindy Wagner, I am 30 years old, a wife, and a mother. I am in my Senior year as a Psychology major at the University of Idaho.  I decided to take a Sociology course to help complete my degree and gain some invaluable insight about society. Sociology is a very interesting subject of study. Sociology is the study of human behavior in society. I feel that everyone should study Sociology in their lifetime. I believe that you can gain so much insight on how you deal with others in society and ways to increase your compassion for others. Within this blog, I will discuss the topics of transgender discrimination and drug use. I will also include a third topic that I consider to be an emerging issue in society.