When The Opposite Sex Isn't: Sexual Orientation In Male-to-Female Transgender People [Paperback]

Sandra L. Samons (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0789034476 | ISBN-13: 978-0789034472 | Publication Date: October 15, 2008 | Edition: 1

When there is uncertainty about the gender identity or social gender role of an individual, determining exactly who the opposite sex is can be a complicated question for both the transgender person and for those who seek to relate to her. Written in both an enlightened and a reader friendly style interspersed with vignettes, When the Opposite Sex Isn’t offers a combination of insights and common sense understanding of the diversity of the human condition together with concepts of gender and sexuality that expand the horizons of any mental health professional, regardless of the clinical focus of his or her work. Samons challenges concepts once taken for granted, thus providing stimulus for creative thinking which many lay readers will also find interesting and entertaining, whether or not they are (thus far) acquainted with a transgender person.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"When the Opposite Sex Isn’t is unlike any psychological account. Instead of cramming trans individuals into pre-existing etiological theories and taxonomies, Samons provides insights into transgender people’s lives and includes numerous helpful anecdotes that demystify their experience. This book will be appreciated and enjoyed by therapists and people interested in gender identity, human sexuality and transgender issues."

- Julia Serano, author of Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity

"Sandra Samons reveals with empathy and sensitivity the journey of self discovery and social emergence transgender people experience as they reshape their lives. It’s all here: from the wonderings of a child, to some questioning if it’s ‘too late’, to the wonders of lives fulfilled. Of special importance are Samons’ observations of the primacy of gender identity and the plasticity of sexual orientation during transitions, which raise deep questions about human nature and the words we use to describe ourselves."

 - Lynn Conway, professor emerita at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; author of the transgender information website LynnConway.com

"Throughout this book, Samons offers advice to therapists working with transgender clients. She reviews the World Professional Association for Transgender Health standards of care (formerly the Harry Benjamin standards) and some of the associated ethical concerns. Samons provides astute observations regarding the roles of therapists and the importance of considering individual circumstances. Individuals seeking a broad overview of issues in psychotherapy can benefit from reading this book....Samons writes in an engaging jargon-free manner, which renders this book quite easy to read."

-Jessye Cohen in PsycCRITIQUES, May 6, 2009, Vol. 54, Release 18, Article 1.

About the Author

Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist, an AASECT Certified Diplomate of Sex Therapy, a member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), and a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (October 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789034476
• ISBN-13: 978-0789034472
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #961,035 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for therapists who want to work with transgender clients, March 19, 2011

By 

Joanne Herman "trans author and blogger" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: When The Opposite Sex Isn't: Sexual Orientation In Male-to-Female Transgender People (Paperback)

While the information provided on the sexual orientation in male-to-female transgender people is certainly of interest, this book covers far more than that.

The Standards of Care of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) are the generally accepted guidelines for treating transgender people. One of the foundations of the SOC is that a therapist must determine who is qualified to move forward with a gender transition. Surprisingly, transgender care is rarely covered in university psychology and social work curriculums. The result is a shortage of therapists with experience working with transgender people. For those who would like to get involved with this work, Samons' book is one of the few resources available.

Samons writes in detail about the gender transition process and her related experiences working with clients and their families. In addition to postulating why sexual orientation might have changed for some of her clients, she also digs into topics that frequently come up more frequently in therapy sessions, such the impact on the clients' wives, partners, and children, the sometimes hurtful influence of religion, and other challenges of transition. She also provides helpful insights into a rapidly developing area of practice, that of working with transgender children.

As Walter Bockting, PhD, the 2009-11 President of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, put it: "(Samons) analyzed the clinical charts of 97 of her clients in a systematic way, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The result is a very readable account of what Samons has learned from her clients throughout her career. What stands out is the compassion she has for her clients, a healthy curiosity about their experiences, nuance in her synthesis and discussion of findings, never losing touch of plain good common sense."

While Samons' primary focus is male-to-female clients, I believe this book will be immensely helpful for therapists wanting to work with all transgender clients.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well-written book, February 27, 2009

By 

Mal Schoen (Northern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When The Opposite Sex Isn't: Sexual Orientation In Male-to-Female Transgender People (Paperback)

One of the better books I've read on the subject. It imparts much practical information with a lot of heart and humor, and is right up to date on the changing transgender scene in the 21st century, which isn't your grandmother's sex-change anymore!