My Gender Workbook by Kate Bornstein

My Gender Workbook by Kate Borstein is a written by a transgender and explores the gender roles in our society. I believe this book should be read by everyone- whether or not you are a transgender or dealing with issues about your own gender.

The book explores the limitations and restraints caused by society's gender roles and society's pressure to adhere to them. She questions our ability to express ourselves with these ever present gender roles, and deconstructs the definitions of what it means to be a "real man" or "real woman" in our society. Most interestingly she questions the need for TV shows, books, college courses that promise to teach us all what it means to be an identity called "the real me." Why would one need to learn this, unless there was so much pressure from the rest of the world making us not be the real me.

We have all been in situations in which we have "crossed" the borders of the framework imposed upon us by our gender. We have all questioned the limitations and inequalities of our gender roles at least once, haven't we?