Ann Oakley on Transsexual Sex Identification

The question asks about sociologist Ann Oakley's perspective on how transsexual individuals identify themselves concerning their sex, referencing a viewpoint attributed to the year 1772.

Understanding Sex Identification in Transsexual Identity

The core concept revolves around the distinction between biological sex assigned at birth and an individual's internal sense of self, known as gender identity. According to the premise presented:

• Many transsexual individuals possess a clear sense of their gender identity.
• This identification is often characterized by a connection with the sex that is different from the one they were assigned at birth.

Analysis of Identification Options

Let's examine the options provided in the context of Ann Oakley's attributed viewpoint:

• Same sex: This implies identifying with the sex originally assigned at birth. While valid for some identities, the question focuses on a specific type of identification prominent among many transsexual individuals.
• Opposite sex: This accurately reflects the idea that an individual identifies with a gender different from, or opposite to, their sex assigned at birth. This aligns with the premise that transsexual individuals often identify with the sex opposite to the one recorded at their birth.
• Male and Female: These are specific gender categories. While a transsexual person might identify as male or female, the option "Opposite sex" describes the *relationship* between their identified gender and their assigned sex, which is the focus of the question's framing. The question seeks the category of identification relative to birth sex, not just the specific gender identity itself.

Therefore, based on the question's phrasing, the identification described is with the opposite sex.