Variations in Sexual Behavior

Sexual Minorities: 6. Transvestites

Historical Notes

As explained in Course 1, a strict division between female and male does not always fit the biological facts. After all, “sexual differences are differences of degree”. In reality, there are - and have always been - exceptions i.e. atypical anatomical and psychological developments.
The social reactions to these exceptions have differed a great deal from one historical period and geographical area to another. Some societies insisted on definite, narrow standards for the dress and behavior of females and males and showed little or no patience with individuals who would not or could not accept them; other societies accomodated such people in some fashion by giving them a special status, and still others simply accepted everyone, typical or untypical, as full members.
Actually, there are many different reasons for gender non-conformity. Some are biological - the person’s body does not conform to general expectations. Some are psychological - the person is uncomfortable with the assigned gender role. In some societies, some ceremonial cross dressing is allowed or even required in certain situations - during the carnival season, at masked balls, on the stage. Finally, we know that social attitudes can and do change over time, and thus it becomes very difficult to generalize. In any case, the issues related to sex and gender are too numerous and too complex for an adequate treatment here. They will be the subject of another course. Still, the following sections will provide brief historical sketches of at least some aspects of cross dressing.