I was just surfing the net this morning. Honestly I was searching for a link of crossdressing and psychosis. (by the way, it was overwhelmingly noted as NOT a psychosis, though Society can make it one)..
Well I find a page that was nice to read Here: http://www.transvestitelounge.com/ar...-crossdressing
But then I found this comment. This is one of the best descriptions of what I am all about. I have a feeling this applies to many here.
"In sociological terms, because of the status of males in our society, in comparison to that of women, when women wear "male" clothing, they are seen to be aspiring to a higher ideal. Conversely, when a man wears "female" clothing, he is seen to be demeaning himself. Thus women wearing male clothing is more socially acceptable. As long as this attitude persists in our society, women will never be truly equal to men. Thus women who truly desire equality with men should be encouraging a greater blurring of the gender boundaries in what we wear.
Carl Jung proposed that we each have aspects of the opposite gender as a part of our unconcious selves. He ascribed to these the terms Amina & Animus, with the anima being the unconscious female aspects of the male personality (the "gentler" qualities - the ability to relate to others on an emotional level, creativity) and vice versa regarding the animus in females (the ability to use reason, think logically, assert physical strength and intellect).
Jung stated that the anima and animus act as guides to the unconscious, unified Self, and that forming an awareness and a connection with the anima or animus is vital in achieving psychological growth. Yet males - especially so in western societies - are discouraged from expressing their softer, feminine side (anima), even - or perhaps especially so - by women. He also claimed that, if a person does not proceed toward self-knowledge, then neurotic symptoms may arise. He further claimed that when people ignore their anima or animus complexes, the anima or animus vies for attention by projecting itself on others. For example, when a male tries to subdue his anima, he does so by projecting the negative aspects of his male self. Homophobia is a prime example of a person desperately trying to control those aspects of his self that he considers to be "feminine".
Thus, if a man has a desire to wear feminine attire and he denies himself this expression of his anima - or he allows himself to be dictated to by his significant other to deny it - then he is denying his anima and this failure to incorporate this into his personality will lead to a backlash from his unconscious. He may find himself heading down a slippery slope towards compulsion (forbidden fruits always taste sweeter), or possibly psychoses.
It may well be that women who are attracted to "feminine" men are unconsciously recognising their unconscious wholeness in this expression of their anima. Ironically, it may also be that it is only those women who have recognised and assimilated their animus (maleness) and no longer find these men to be a threat to their own femininity who are comfortable in the company of these men.
As you said, Lucy, it is predominantly heterosexual men who cross-dress and that the act of cross-dressing is merely a physical manifestation of an emotional expression. Sometimes we "instinctively" understand things, we didn't even realise we knew. This arises from what Jung called the collective unconscious - "inherited" knowledge.
In addition, it is often during sexual encouters that we will most likely express our anima or animus. How many women have you known/heard of who are soft, supplicant females outside the bedroom, but become strong, strident and sexually dominant beings in the sack. Likewise, it is often only in the seclusion of the bedroom that a man will feel safe enough to be able to express tenderness he never normally shows to the outside world.
By the way, the term Jung quoted for true integration of the anima or animus? Androgyny
Keep up the good work. The world needs more self-realised women who have integrated their animus and so can appreciate the anima in their significant other - women like yourself.
I so wish this sort of knowledge was more known and accepted.
Originally Posted by Pythos
