Introduction
Miquel Missé and Noemi Parra are experts in gender and sexuality who have decided to join forces to write the book ‘Adolescents in transition: Thinking about gender experience in times of uncertainty’. This collaboration is a beacon for those who want to understand the impact of gender norms on young people and how the trans issue is sometimes misinterpreted. With this rigorous essay, the authors invite us to reflect on the discomforts of adolescents and accompany them in this process of personal discovery.
The importance of reflecting on gender transitions
In recent years, we have seen an increase in gender transitions and a need to rethink the way we interpret them. Traditional perspectives do not seem to provide adequate answers to the current reality, thus making accompanying processes more difficult and raising new challenges. There is a lack of complicity in public discourse that does not adequately address this issue. This leads us to explore gender malaise in adolescence and deepen our understanding of this phenomenon.
Understanding gender norms
Gender norms have a significant impact on shaping our lives. These rules order our existence and give us an identity, but at the same time they limit our freedom and generate inequalities. In recent years, we have witnessed a shake-up in these norms thanks to feminist movements, which have questioned male hegemony and made the traditional conception of gender more flexible. Although this transformation is positive in many ways, it also creates disorientation and discomfort in many people.
Gender as a resonance of the discomforts of adolescence
Gender has become a key element in shaping young people’s lives. This tension has led to a diversification of gender identities and at the same time reaffirmed identity positions. Gender norms are in dispute and this complicates the way teenagers identify themselves. This tension has generated changes and effects in the subjectivity of young people, causing symptoms and discomfort.
The importance of sexual education and support in schools
Sex education has been a neglected topic in the educational field. Providing young people with tools to critically understand and explore their sexuality is essential. Sex education must be feminist, intersectional and comprehensive so that young people can develop a critical view and adequate knowledge. It is also crucial to guarantee adequate support in educational centers for people who are in the process of gender transition. Despite the progress made, there are still challenges to be overcome and resources to be developed to support education professionals.
Rethinking masculinity
Masculinity has also come under fire in recent years. It is important to understand that it is not about condemning masculinity in itself, but about questioning the norms that have shaped it. Young people have been socialized into a normative and stereotypical model of masculinity, and it is essential to invite them to reflect on and challenge this social construction. It is essential not to invalidate their identity, but to understand the difficulties they face and provide them with tools to change power dynamics and build more egalitarian relationships.
conclusion
In short, the book ‘Adolescents in transition’ invites us to reflect on gender discomfort in adolescence and accompany young people in this process of personal discovery. Gender norms are changing and this creates tension and disorientation in many people. It is essential to provide integral and feminist sexual education, as well as adequate support in schools. It is also important to rethink masculinity and question the norms that have shaped it. With this critical reflection, we can contribute to the construction of a more egalitarian and respectful society with gender diversity.
