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naecocificap's review
3.0
It's good to know that this book is for absolute beginners in gender theory.
arlingtonchamberofgay's review
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Genocide, and Homophobia
claire60's review
5.0
In writing about Gender Trauma Alex Iantaffi has pulled together intersectional thinking on how 'settler colonialism, the patriarchy and gender essentialism are tightly woven together,' ideas that are becoming more apparent. The book is aimed at anyone wanting to understand more about gender and also at therapists working with anyone, as the book says, gender affects everyone including cis men and cis women. There is lots to digest in this book, best absorbed by allowing time to process what is being said. Alex helpfully includes a summary of key points at the end of every chapter and has also included 'stretches' where the reader is given space and prompts to examine their own thinking. There are several clinical examples too, little mini case studies, to help broaden your thinking rather than providing definitive answers on how to work with gender.
I enjoyed engaging with this book, noticing where it was easier and where it was less easy to read. I will definitely re-read it and look forward to discussing it with peers or listening to a podcast where it is discussed.
Thoroughly recommended for therapists who would like to expand their thinking around gender.
With thanks to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed engaging with this book, noticing where it was easier and where it was less easy to read. I will definitely re-read it and look forward to discussing it with peers or listening to a podcast where it is discussed.
Thoroughly recommended for therapists who would like to expand their thinking around gender.
With thanks to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
jentidders's review
4.0
This is an excellent, diverse, intersectional feminist book, directed at health practitioners, providers and educators, but of relevance to everyone. Alex Iantaffi discusses settler colonialism, cisgenderism, gender essentialism, biological determinism and historical/intergenerational trauma.
Colonialism has led to the loss of language, culture, gender identities, roles and expressions, and the loss of cultural, social and spiritual roles for gender-expansive people within their own communities. As a result, Black and indigenous LGBTQ2 people (and LGBTQ2 people in general) face higher levels of health disparity, mental health issues, addiction, HIV, bullying, harassment, violence, murder, police brutality, homelessness, suicide, and discrimination. In addition, even for cis men, toxic masculinity leads to poorer health and gender conformity leads to approval and validation seeking, and negative effects on wellbeing for all. This has rippled through society leading to objectification, ableism, intimate partner violence, and rape culture, all reproduced and enforced through law, politics, architecture, medicine and education.
Iantaffi concludes that the remedy is rooted in indigenous knowledge and practices, and connection, advocating for practices that promote the dismantling of a rigid gender binary, gender essentialism and cisgenderism. They emphasise the need for neurodecolonisation (decolonising the mind) through reflective practices, getting curious and irreverent about assumptions and stereotypes, using a trauma-informed approach that is slow., kind and consensual, and challenging all or nothing thinking.
This is a fascinating and essential read.
Colonialism has led to the loss of language, culture, gender identities, roles and expressions, and the loss of cultural, social and spiritual roles for gender-expansive people within their own communities. As a result, Black and indigenous LGBTQ2 people (and LGBTQ2 people in general) face higher levels of health disparity, mental health issues, addiction, HIV, bullying, harassment, violence, murder, police brutality, homelessness, suicide, and discrimination. In addition, even for cis men, toxic masculinity leads to poorer health and gender conformity leads to approval and validation seeking, and negative effects on wellbeing for all. This has rippled through society leading to objectification, ableism, intimate partner violence, and rape culture, all reproduced and enforced through law, politics, architecture, medicine and education.
Iantaffi concludes that the remedy is rooted in indigenous knowledge and practices, and connection, advocating for practices that promote the dismantling of a rigid gender binary, gender essentialism and cisgenderism. They emphasise the need for neurodecolonisation (decolonising the mind) through reflective practices, getting curious and irreverent about assumptions and stereotypes, using a trauma-informed approach that is slow., kind and consensual, and challenging all or nothing thinking.
This is a fascinating and essential read.
bonkstrats's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
booksgamesvinyl's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
a good read but some points were repeated over multiple chapters which seemed a bit reductive
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, and Xenophobia
apric0tjam's review
5.0
ARC provided by Netgalley in return for an honest review.
4.75/5 stars
Alex Iantaffi's Gender Trauma explores intergenerational trauma, the intersectionality of trans and/or non binary people, and the relevance to patient/ client practice. Iantaffi's book serves as an introduction, guide book, and dissection of historical and current misrepresentation and mistreatment of transgender people especially by health practitioners. Iantaffi's Gender trauma is a must read for social workers, hospital personnel, and other medical professionals who interact with trans patients and clients-- the case studies/ vignettes throughout the chapters apply the knowledge learned while reading to a practical situation. Iantaffi also allots for space and time to acknowledge one's own privileges while reading and encourages further exploration of topics where one finds oneself facing resistance.
I enjoyed Iantaffi's Gender Trauma. As a trans MSW student, the book was relevant and informative, despite this already being an area of focus for me. I appreciated Iantaffi's vignettes and mid chapter challenges. I specifically appreciated their discussion of Indigenous people and the effects of settler colonialism-- something I have recently begun to engage with. While I was familiar with the specific gender trauma Indigenous people on Turtle Island/ North America have faced, Iantaffi's mention of the Sami and Aboriginal people were both areas I've yet to explore. I also appreciated Iantaffi's practical application and expertise throughout Gender Trauma.
4.75/5 stars
Alex Iantaffi's Gender Trauma explores intergenerational trauma, the intersectionality of trans and/or non binary people, and the relevance to patient/ client practice. Iantaffi's book serves as an introduction, guide book, and dissection of historical and current misrepresentation and mistreatment of transgender people especially by health practitioners. Iantaffi's Gender trauma is a must read for social workers, hospital personnel, and other medical professionals who interact with trans patients and clients-- the case studies/ vignettes throughout the chapters apply the knowledge learned while reading to a practical situation. Iantaffi also allots for space and time to acknowledge one's own privileges while reading and encourages further exploration of topics where one finds oneself facing resistance.
I enjoyed Iantaffi's Gender Trauma. As a trans MSW student, the book was relevant and informative, despite this already being an area of focus for me. I appreciated Iantaffi's vignettes and mid chapter challenges. I specifically appreciated their discussion of Indigenous people and the effects of settler colonialism-- something I have recently begun to engage with. While I was familiar with the specific gender trauma Indigenous people on Turtle Island/ North America have faced, Iantaffi's mention of the Sami and Aboriginal people were both areas I've yet to explore. I also appreciated Iantaffi's practical application and expertise throughout Gender Trauma.
suzyreadsbooks's review
Got distracted from this one in January 2021 and I’ll have to restart it. So many insights that I want to fully take in.