Body Image and Self/Social Acceptance

The transgender body is a struggle between the inner sense of self and the physical, and this conflict may adversely affect one’s body image. It is not surprising that transgender people can succumb to dissatisfaction with their body image considering they are “locked into the wrong body” (29) and do not feel at home within the physical body they were born into. The philosopher and psychologist William James notes that humans identify with their bodies because they love them. Yet, as can be seen in the young Wyatt in his innocent question, “When will my penis fall off?” (29), he displays early in his life that he is uncomfortable in his body and has a strong dislike for it. This dislike is one of the principal traits listed for gender dysphoria, and it is linked to an inner distress because, like the young Wyatt...