Janet Mock claims the sexual abuse she experienced is not the reason why she is
transgender. However, people who are transgender are more predisposed to violence and sexual abuse.
Is this situation because society has not accepted this group and is abusive to them because they are different and deviate from what they perceive as normal? Or is it the high risk of abuse by people who are transgender because of their social learning to be silent, numb, and disconnected from the society for the society to accept them more?
Hence, they make themselves more vulnerable to violence and sexual abuse? Based on the possible causes for the violence and sexual abuse, what strategies could prevent or reduce the rate of violence and sexual abuse that people who are transgender encounter?
Janet’s life events and related events mainly stem from her desperation. She had the
desire to please people even if what she did was hurting her. She strove to please her
father, so he would embrace her and love her.
She was also desperate when Derek continually abused her because she wanted him to love and appreciate her. Because of herdesperation, she made several choices regarding her relationship with men and her father.
How does desperation influence her life and that of her mother and father?
Janet Mock explains the interaction of hierarchies when a person is placed in the world.In society, groups of people are often disadvantaged and do not receive similar treatment as others.
Society is often harsh on the minority groups and the poor. Further deviating from the societal norms attracts more discrimination and harshness. Do you think Janet’s experiences would have been different if she was white, from the middle class, not as attractive as she was or if she had transitioned at an older age?
Society prescribes how women are supposed to behave and look. There are social norms and expectations that one should not deviate from, or society will regard them as outcasts.
However, times are changing, and these norms and expectations are eroding. Men can now nurse infants, cook, do the laundry and even pour out their emotions. Women also can work, lead others and provide for their families.
The book by Janet Mock wrote the book at a time when society had certain expectations of women. Therefore, there are differences between gender norms in the book and the contemporary world.
Also, there are differences between sex and gender. So, what does it mean to be a woman and feminine? Does being feminine mean you are a woman? Does the element of being sensitive mean you are a woman? If one cuts their hair, do they seize to be a woman?
Discuss these questions as per the book’s context and the contemporary world in relation to black feminism