Is FtM less common?

[awkward-yet-sweet]

Is it less common to transition FtM?  Or just less publicized?  I see more controversy over trans girls, and more trans girls in the news.  And I've noticed that the MtF section on this forum is more active.  

 

Just curious if my perception is off track...

[Carolyn Marie]

According to the APA, MtF transitions are statistically much more prevalent than FtM transitions, although neither they nor any other place I've checked can say exactly what those figures are.

 

There are, again according to "experts," several possible reasons.  One is that there may be a genetic component to it.  A second reason, one which I personally think is more likely, is that there are various social, behavioral, economic and political and even transition-related reasons why there appears to be more trans women about.

 

Lets take the last one first; trans men who medically transition often find it much easier to "disappear" within the male population.  They grow facial and body hair, or lose hair via male-pattern baldness; they can become as muscular as any natal man; T can make the voice several octaves lower, etc.  Also, trans men don't seem as "threatening" to other men as trans women seem to be towards cis-women, so there's much less fear and anxiety among the general population.  The wearing of male-style clothing is often acceptable even among cis-women (tomboys), but men wearing female attire is considered more "abnormal" by society at-large.  In other words, trans women stand out more than trans men, are more easily discerned, made a fuss over, & feared.  Trans women are much easier to "other."

 

Social acceptance of tomboys or masculine-appearing women make a decision not to medically transition somewhat easier to justify, as simply being unnecessary.  I'm probably generalizing a bit with that statement, though.

 

As far as why there aren't more FtM's on this site, I honestly don't know for sure.  We have had, as far as I can recall, only two FtM Moderators in the last 10 years.  One was extremely popular among both the members and other Mods and managers.  But he left after several years.  There has been a perception, one that has some truth to it, IMO, that many trans women members here have not been receptive to men in general, and that has made some male members feel unwelcome.  That may have led to some MtF members to refrain from speaking out much, and some to leave altogether. 

 

Lastly, there are several MtF-only forums & FB Groups that are very popular and have served to draw away members from TP. 

 

I hope that provides some food for thought, AYS.

 

Carolyn Marie

[Mmindy]

Great question @awkward-yet-sweet. I agree with @Carolyn Marie and her reply.

I only have two Trans-men that follow me on twitter, and they're very vocal about being supportive all trans people. However they feel like Trans-women have a tougher place, in the view of general public. I'm friends with a FtM employee at our local UPSS. When he first started working there, his name tag didn't match his presentation. In a private, I came out to him first, and he responded with his own confession of being trans. He's in his mid to late twenties, and doing well.

 

Hugs,

 

Mindy🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[VickySGV]

After a medical leave period, I got back to my Trans Chorus last Sunday and our lower voices sections have grown from new member FtMs wanting show off their new more masculine singing voices in the Baritone and high Bass ranges.  They outnumber the MtF members currently which makes us a bit lopsided on parts.  We do have some FTM's who still are proud of their higher voices, and we have some Enby new folks in the Tenor ranges, so all is cool. All of them will be out on stages in public view quite a few times this spring, and then Pride Month will hit with a lot more exposure of the FtM's.

 

I have about a 3:2 ratio of FTM to MTF friends that I interact with on a regular in-person basis.  For the most part, my FTM friends are younger than I am and we jokingly refer to ourselves as "Partners In Crime" since we are a loose team that does service for the Trans Community out here, and their "helping an old lady" (me at 75) is just part of the good fun they have as themselves.  Out and away from the Trans community,, every one of them is unremarkable as a male now that they are comfortable in their bodies and identities. 

[Russ Fenrisson]

I've also wondered about the same thing, especially since a lot of media I see, if they include a trans character at all, is usually transfeminine. I think it really boils down to what @Carolyn Mariesaid: how said individuals are perceived in society and the acceptibility of it. It's a shame transwomen and transfeminine people are made to feel bad for who they are or to be afraid of how they identify or choose to present themselves. This might be why you see more stories concerning them. To spread awareness and to show transwomen are not scary and are people just like everybody else.

 

In regards to transmen and transmasculine people, I've done much reading and thinking, and have come to the conclusion that perhaps such individuals are not explored or discussed is because of a private, safety factor. I've read more and more individuals have been coming out as FtM compared to recent years, such as in the 90s or early 2000's, and they may not be as transparent or as seen as MtF individuals just because of the fact they could face ridicule or repercussion for coming out or exploring their identity. It appears the expression of women is much more flexible nowadays than it was before, but that doesn't mean it is all inclusive. It probably just depends on where you are and the kind of atmosphere that is present.

 

What I always think is, whether I know it or not, I've at least run into someone like myself without knowing it. It provides a sense of mystery but it's at least a little bit comforting in these strange times.