Production of Gender: A study on performativity in Female-To-Male Transsexuals [Producci n de G nero: Un estudio sobre la performatividad de Mujeres a Hombres Transexuales]

Abstract

Gender identity is critical to every individual; it is self-defined and constructed by culture and society, at large. Gender identities are formed through public and private spaces. Of the two traditions of thinking (essentialist and constructionist) about sex and gender, constructionist formulations are based on 'performance' theory. It believes that sex and gender are viewed as not residing in an individual, but are found in interactions that are socially constructed as gendered, as opposed to essentialist tradition. Within gender theory, 'performativity' of gender can be traced from Beauvoir's (1949) construction "one is not born a woman, but rather, becomes one" (p.8) suggests the constructed and performative nature of gender. Butler (1999) in her theory of gender performativity also emphasizes on the constructed nature of sex and gender, and refers gender as "the repeated stylization of the body, a set of repeated acts within highly rigid regulatory frame" (p.33). Within 'performative' theory, gender is a process, rather than something naturally possessed. To understand and explore the process of formation of gender in (FTM) transsexuals three autobiographical narratives are chosen i.e., Becoming a Visible Man (2004), The Testosterone Files (2006), and Both Sides now (2006). To analyze and dissect the FTM autobiographical narratives, the techniques of discourse analysis, literary analysis and narrative analysis are used. This study will address the performative factors that contribute to the formation of a transsexual role as seen through sartorial style, mannerisms, and other aspects that influence a gendered presentation of 'self'. It includes the process of construction of FTM transsexual's corporeality through performative attributes to approximate masculinity and come in accord with the social role of a 'man'. 2018, Hipatia Press.La identidad de g nero es cr tica para cada individuo; es una realidad autodefinida y construida por la cultura y la sociedad. Las identidades de g nero se forman a trav s de espacios p blicos y privados. Existen dos tradiciones de pensamiento principales (esencialistas y construccionistas) sobre el sexo y el g nero, las formulaciones construccionistas se basan en la teor a del "desempe o". En contraposici n a la tradici n esencialista, el construccionismo cree que el sexo y el g nero no residen en un individuo sino que se encuentran en las interacciones que se definen socialmente. Dentro de la teor a de g nero, la "performatividad" se puede profundizar a partir de la construcci n de Beauvoir (1949) "una persona no nace mujer, sino que se convierte en una persona" (p.8). La autora sugiere la naturaleza construida y performativa del g nero. Butler (1999) en su teor a de la performatividad de g nero tambi n enfatiza la naturaleza construida del sexo y el g nero, y refiere al g nero como "la estilizaci n repetida del cuerpo, un conjunto de actos repetidos dentro de un marco regulatorio altamente r gido" (p.33). Dentro de la teor a "performativa", el g nero es un proceso, m s que algo naturalmente pose do. En el presente art culo, para comprender y explorar el proceso de formaci n del g nero en personas transexuales (FTM) se eligen tres narrativas autobiogr ficas, es decir, Becoming a visible man (2004), The testosterone files (2006) y Both sides now (2006). Para analizar y diseccionar las narrativas autobiogr ficas FTM, se utilizan las t cnicas de an lisis del discurso, an lisis literario y an lisis narrativo. Este estudio abordar los factores performativos que contribuyen a la formaci n de un papel transexual, en concreto a trav s del estilo de vestimenta, manierismos y otros aspectos que influyen en una presentaci n del "yo" de g nero. sto incluye el proceso de construcci n de la corporeidad de las personas transexuales de FTM a trav s de atributos performativos que se aproximen a la masculinidad y el seguimiento del rol social de "hombre". 2018, Hipatia Press.