Essentialism, Experience, and the Transsexual Reality

Within modem feminist debate, the definition of woman has created two different core theories. The essentialist perspective defines a woman as needing a certain list of criteria that are required in order to be considered a woman. The experience perspective defines a woman by criteria based on experience of the feminine gender expression and society\u27s response. Male to female transsexuals embody real world scenarios in which the definitions of womanhood are put into practice and challenged. I did in-depth interviews with two male to female transsexuals about their experiences within the workplace. Additional interviews were conducted with their clients during or after their transition in order to gain a better understanding of current perceptions surrounding women\u27s identity and community in relation to a male to female transsexual throughout transition. Through analyzing these two in-depth interviews, I hope to illuminate alternative definitions of womanhood. Data will be obtained using two methods. The first will be in-depth interviews that will gain personal responses to questions I pose. The second will be through content analysis of articles, books, and discussions surrounding womanhood and what it means to be a woman