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The role that either sex has to play is, as we have seen, determined by the social structure of the surrounding community. The social conventions of today, however, exact no definite behavior from either sex. Each individual has to establish his own behavior pattern as man or woman. There are many ways of expressing “masculinity” and “femininity.” It rests with each individual to decide what kind of man or woman he wishes to become.
As long as we regard masculinity as identical with superiority-and doubtless most men and women do so-the concepts that we develop of our own sexual role correspond to this superstition. Even the most ardent champions of feminine equality will probably aver that a “real man” is supposed to be strong, self-sufficient, courageous, and reliable, and that any man not meeting these demands probably shows “feminine” traits. The word effeminate–or, colloquially, sissy-indicates the general disparagement of “feminine” qualities. Actually, responsibility, the desire to work, to contribute, and even to support, are not yet recognized as obligations of any human being, regardless of sex. The notion of man being the stronger sex is responsible for many odd ideas which confuse people’s conceptions of their own sexual role, of their obligations or limitations.
Children at a very early age develop definite, but not always correct, conceptions of the social role attributed to their own sex. They are impressed and stimulated by the social implication of sex before they realize its emotional and physiological significance. As a rule, boys have much more liberty in every kind of activity. A girl who behaves like a boy is called a tomboy, a term implying specifically masculine traits. (The appellation tomboy, by the way, is far less contemptuous than the denunciatory term sissy.) Helping at home, cooking, cleaning, and mending are still demanded mostly of girls, especially in communities retaining European customs. Today, men wash dishes, too sometimes; but still in condescension. Yet the practice indicates a general trend toward more cooperation, difficult for European men to follow.
Many girls believe that woman’s place in society is subordinate. They either submit to their fate, seeking compensations in the feminine way, or they rebel and avoid anything feminine. The former attempts to win a respectable place in a masculine world by cultivating charm and helplessness and at the same time avoid responsibility. In short, strives to be a typical “ladylike” in their deportment. The latter, those girls with strong masculine protests, refuse to achieve feminine maturity. They hate to look feminine; they abhor the menstrual function. Many girls do not go to this extreme. They may surrender to the general pressure and take pains with their appearance. But regardless of how feminine they may look, their protest becomes apparent on various occasions. They may try to prove that, as women, they can be as good as any man and perhaps even better. Very often they avoid recognizing their opposition to men and remain unaware of what has caused their sexual and marital difficulties.
A Case of Transvestitism
Rejection of the feminine role may reach almost unimaginable extremes. One day a young man consulted me. When asked about his problems, he revealed that he was a girl. The patient was in the middle twenties. The masculine appearance was caused not only by clothing, but by a definite way of speaking and by specifically masculine mannerisms. Even the voice was characteristic more of a man with glandular deficiency than of a woman. She had come because she needed help in a very unusual predicament. In order to get a job in Austria, it was necessary to present identification papers. Hers revealed her feminine name, which was embarrassing and confusing. She was now seeking permission to change her name to a masculine one. I was puzzled. How could she wear men’s clothes since this practice was forbidden to a woman? She showed me a written permit from the police and explained how she had obtained it. When she wore women’s attire, she attracted unpleasant attention in the street, because everyone believed she was a man masquerading as a woman. She walked like a boy; her whole attitude was decidedly mannish, so that the police were forced to give her this unusual permission.
A physical examination disclosed the normal primary and secondary sexual characteristics; the breasts were fully developed, the distribution of hair was typically feminine, as were the hips. The menstrual period was regular. A laboratory analysis proved that the glands functioned normally. There was not the slightest evidence of any physical or biological abnormality. Her unusual development proved to be caused by different factors.
She had been born in a rural district of Austria, the first child of a farmer. In that part of the world, girls were not in high esteem. Peasants need at least one boy to inherit the farm and to replace the father when he wishes to retire. Consequently, her parents had hoped for a boy. Unfortunately for the girl, a young brother was born two years later. It is not difficult to imagine her reaction to the situation. Realizing her precarious position, she refused to accept a secondary role. She made full use of the few years in her favor to maintain her superiority over her brother, physically and mentally. Yet it was not sufficient that he submitted to her dominance. He still was a boy and she only a girl. To win this battle, she had to overcome this handicap, too. So she tried to behave like a boy. She played with boys exclusively and became wilder than any of them. She was a regular tomboy, but even this compensation was insufficient. She delighted in dressing her brother in girl’s clothes, while she herself put on his garments.
The parents enjoyed the masquerade and encouraged it.
Everyone thought it was “cute:’ She heard many favorable comments about her looking like a boy; people remarked that she would have made a better boy than her brother, who had become quite subdued and docile, and, in his timidity, dependent upon his stronger sister. This success naturally encouraged her to continue and even intensify her efforts. When she grew older, she adapted herself more and more to this coveted masculine role. In every one of her movements, in her gait, in her mannerisms, she was a typical boy. She even became fond of girls, but in a protective and gallant way. When she began to develop physically, she fought against any sign of femininity. She hated her breasts. She pressed them down in tight garments so that they would be inconspicuous. She disregarded her menstrual function completely and did not let it interfere with any athletic activities. She never developed any feminine traits, skills, or features, and had her hair cut in boyish fashion.
The moment of her greatest triumph came when she obtained permission of the police to wear masculine attire. But the logic which she tried to defy brought her into new conflicts. Now she needed a masculine name. This was not easy under Austrian law; but as the authorities had been compelled to yield the first time, it was necessary and logical to take the next step and grant her permission to use a name which was applicable to either sex. But a psychiatric recommendation was requested by the police. The girl was very enthusiastic. I tried in vain to convince her that, despite her successes, she was still fighting a lost battle. She still remained a woman, regardless of her ability to fool herself and others. Unless she accepted the role of her sex, she was bound to get into greater difficulties. But, like many people with sexual perversions, she did not want any advice or help and flatly refused to discuss her psychological problems.
To my surprise, she appeared again about one year later. I first thought she might now ask for psychiatric treatment. However, she came only to demand another service in her fight against society, which had marked her as an inferior being. She had fallen in love with a girl, and she expected me to make it possible for her to marry this girl. Of course, this was beyond anyone’s power, and I never saw her again.
