Gender and society

Gian Milan E Wong 01/04/2022

AM22 Mr. Monchito Avila
Film Analysis: Transamerica
1. Who is the main character in the film? Give the following details:

1.1 Name:
Given name: Stanley Schupak
The name she gave herself: Sabrina Claire Bree Osbourne
1.2 Age: Not specify (late 20’s)
1.3 Gender: Transwoman
1.4 Civil Status: Single
1.5 Occupation: Telemarketer, Dishwasher

2. Describe the main character in the film. What are the gender roles that she portrays? How does she
cope with the norms of society? How does she handle stress? How does she behave?

She was a timid girl, trying her best to blend in with the crowd, trying to be normal. When she faces
stress or troubles in her life, she goes to her psychologist for help.

3. The main character, was at first, not allowed by her psychologist to undergo the surgery. What was
the reason? Explain this thoroughly.

Her psychologist did not want Bree to undergo surgery due to her mental instability and the fact that
she had a son.

4. How did she react after finding out that she has a son? Did this influence her decision to undergo
the operation? Explain.

After learning that she had a son, of course, she was shocked by it. She also did at one point in time was
in denial about it, but her decision was unwavering, and still wanted to undergo surgery. She was denied
by her psychologist under the pretense of stress and mental instability.

5. Describe her son in terms of behavior. Explain his behaviors based on his experiences and by using
some gender theories that you learned in our class. What do you think are the factors that
contributed to the gender issues of his son? Elaborate.

Her son was abused by his father, which would not bout well for his psyche and the fact that he is
bisexual having been scene being comfortable with both

6. What are the reactions of the significant people in the main character's life when they found out
that she's going to have an operation? Did their reactions and opinions influence the main character's
decision? Explain.

You could see that her mother was really opposed to her surgery, though supported the idea of having a
child and accepting the boy. In the end of the movie, you could see the shift in language as they (family)
address her as ‘Bree’, signifying the acceptance of the main character.
7. Do you think gender reassignment should be legalized here in the Philippines? Explain your answer
by presenting factual pros and cons of this matter (laws and other scientific facts).

The Philippines should legalize the idea of gender reassignment, people have rights and freedom to be
whatever they desire. To take away such action, would be to take away freedom, in which case violating
the human rights act. The pros of it are that many people would be happy and would express their
freedom. The cons are the confusion of sex and gender within the community, not knowing who is what
and can lead to a monumental confusion like would gay people be allowed in women’s restroom or vice
versa.

8. What are your three (3) learning insights after learning all about gender reassignment and watching
the film? Start your statement by saying 'Before learning all about gender reassignment and before
watching the film, I used to think that (insert thought). After learning all about gender reassignment
and after watching the film, I now think that (insert thought).

'Before learning all about gender reassignment and before watching the film, I used to think that it was
easy to have reassignment surgery and it would always work out. After learning all about gender
reassignment and after watching the film, I now think that it is an important aspect of a person’s life to
change one’s appearance, it would take a couple of years to even jump to the conclusion of getting a
gender reassignment surgery and even then, it would still be a great task. I realized that getting a
reassignment surgery needs thorough discussion from not only for yourself but for friends and family as
of could be a permanent change. I learned that gender is an actual problem that we need to discuss as a
society whether or not to classify them as a part of society or a new category in it of itself, there is no
right answer in tackling these sorts of problems. It really depends on the individual itself