Many people will never understand the need in a man to dress as a woman; many will assume that men who cross dress do so as a result of sexual desire. This can be true in some cases. Some men who cross dress do so for sexual excitement. Many however do not, they do so because it relaxes them, or they do so because they are really transsexual and do not have the courage to extend their transition beyond this point.
Whatever the reason, the need to cross dress usually starts at a very young, sometimes even in late infancy, and almost always is initially undertaken in secret. Usually it starts with the individual trying on his Mother¿s clothes, or his sister¿s clothes. It may start with hosiery or underwear and then with time may progress to wearing skirts, and dresses, then shoes, and finally trying on makeup and further use of feminine products.
At puberty many cross dressers go through a period of denial and self resentment. They cannot understand why they are different to others in their age group. While other boys are more interested in girls and sports and cars, cross dressers usually feel apart from their peers, like something is wrong with them. Society and the media portray cross dressing as unacceptable, and dirty. It is common to hear in social groups very negative and humiliating comments made towards transvestites, and they are made a target of ridicule. In some extreme cases even violence is involved. This practice is called Tranny bashing.
This ridicule, combined with peer pressure, and fear of family reaction often causes the true transvestite to live in fear of discovery, and to drive their desire to dress as a woman deeper inside of them. They can become even more detached from society, and often people will say that the individual is often secretive, and can be uptight or aloof.
Transvestites and transsexuals will often try to over compensate their image as a man, they will date many women, and usually each relationship ends quickly or badly, as to be in a healthy relationship, both parties need to be open with each other. Transvestites are often excellent Fathers, as they are more in touch with their feminine side; they are more caring because they often feel accepted by children for being just themselves.
A transvestite goes through life in turmoil until they reach a decision to accept who they are. Then they very often start to feel better about themselves, and start to make friends with other transvestites. Relationships can be very hard for transvestites, they fear losing their partner by being honest, and often this secret causes the relationship to fracture as honesty in a relationship is very important. Transvestites who are open with their partner often find real happiness. Acceptance is vital for all transvestites.
The need to feel accepted is often demonstrated by the amount of photographs transvestites take of themselves. On many social networking websites you will find transvestites with their own blogs and photo albums, where they post pictures of themselves. This is a reflection of their true identity, the person they want to be accepted as. For some it is the only place they can truly be honest about themselves, and many enjoy the attention they receive.
The way society in general treats transvestites is simply horrible, it is no surprise that among transvestites there is a high percentage of suicide. What is needed is better education, and support for transvestites.
As a society we need to recognize that we have a duty to all, to support everyone and give guidance to individuals, not to ridicule or be prejudiced. We need to provide a framework of education and support to children growing up, to help them, and not just abandon them to suffer in doubt and fear. By education we can eradicate the image that transvestites have in society and in the media. It is to the good of all that we change.
