Geared toward high school students, undergraduate students, and general readers, this reference work provides a thorough and unbiased treatment of sex, gender, and transgenderism--social issues of particular importance in today's world. Sex and Gender: A Reference Handbook is a single-volume book that introduces a variety of personal, social, political, and ethical issues of concern to every young adult in the United States today. Written in a style that is accessible and engaging for student readers and researchers, this book examines subjects that are rarely discussed for readers of this age group, providing authoritative information on topics such as gender roles, gender development, and gender inequality; body image; sexual differentiation in humans; the range of human affectional expression; sex education; and LGBT discrimination. Readers of this reference book will examine a number of important current issues relating to sex and gender, such as transgenderism, gender dysphoria, same-sex attraction, the development of gender roles, the changing perspectives on these topics, and other controversial and unresolved issues in American society today. The book also includes a Data and Documents chapter that contains laws, courts cases, and other primary documents that relate to current issues involving sex and gender. Offers answers to essential questions about transgender issues that are accessible to high school students, undergraduate students, and general readers interested in sex and gender Presents background and insight to a number of social issues and topics that are of considerable interest to young adults but are often treated in a very limited fashion or skipped completely in school curricula Includes a chapter comprising perspective essays that voice diverse opinions regarding controversial gender issues Provides additional resources that enable readers to conduct further research or stay up to date on issues that are as yet unresolved

The Big Idea shortlisted for series design in the British Design and Production Awards When we are born, we are each assigned a gender based on our physical anatomy. But why is it that some people experience such dissonance between their biological sex and their inner identity? Is gender something we are or something we do? Is our expression of gender inborn or does it develop as we grow? Are the traditional binary male and female gender roles relevant in an increasingly fluid and flexible world? This intelligent, stimulating volume assesses the connections between gender, psychology, culture and sexuality, and reveals how individual and social attitudes have evolved over the centuries.

What does it mean to be male? What does it mean to be female? In contemporary culture, such distinctions have increasingly been regarded as much too narrow to cover the entire spectrum of humanity. Over the past few decades, thousands of individuals have bravely declared their true identities and refused to be boxed into what society has dictated. It has become increasingly important, especially for those coming into adulthood, to go beyond the concepts of gay, lesbian, straight, and bisexual when examining gender. In Gender Identity: The Ultimate Teen Guide, Cynthia L. Winfield encourages readers to reject the notion that male or female designations fit all. The author examines how gender lines have been crossed as a growing number of individuals-including young adults-have found the courage to express and celebrate their authentic selves. In this book, Winfield addresses: -Differences between biological sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression -Legal protections for those outside the narrowly defined gender norms -Public debate and shifting views about gender identity -Ways readers can make society more cognizant and inclusive of gender-variant individuals In addition to providing a well-grounded introduction to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual persons and issues, this book allows contemporary teens and young adults to voice their experiences. As more and more public figures-from actress Laverne Cox to Olympic athlete turned reality television star Caitlyn Jenner-have shared their stories, it's just as important for everyday people to identify who they are. This second edition of Gender Identity: The Ultimate Teen Guide is a much-needed update of an important topic and will be of interest to young adults, their families and friends, and the community at large.