The story of Baby X is very Xtraordinary. The overall idea of the story is very one of a kind and a bit humorous at some point too. However, it is very unrealistic and idealistic because contrary to how the society would perceive an unusual person like Baby X, the author made it look like as if everything will turn out to be just fine.
Well the sad truth is, our life is not as simple as how it seems to be. Lucky is how I must describe Baby X because "it" has a very supportive parents who, as the author describes, “really wanted to raise an X more than any other kind of baby no matter how much trouble it would be.” Seldom do I see parents who are as supportive and as loving as the Joneses are. In fact, in my case, and for most people I know out there, problems usually root from our own family because they never seem to understand us and accept us for what and who we really are. Whereas the Joneses feed Baby X with formula T.L.C.(tender loving care) plus sweet lullabies at night, in reality, quite a number of the parents feed their children with curses from morning ‘til night. One thing that Baby X has that a number of us--especially those who belong to the third sex--probably don’t have, is the fulfillment of the need for love, affection and sense of belongingness.
The theory of Abraham Maslow says that in order for us get to stage of having self-esteem, we must first be able to fulfill the three other basic needs which include the physiological, security and belongingness needs. Most of us fail to carry out the need for belongingness most especially when we seem to be a bit different from what we are expected of. Sometimes, we even hide our true selves from our own family because of pressure and fear. This is one of the reasons why there are a lot of people who are still very afraid to come out of there closets. We feel more comfortable in the presence of our friends rather than our own flesh and blood because with the former, we can simply be who we are. No expectations therefore, no pretensions. In the case of Baby X, even though “it” may be considered deviant, “it” still gets to find itself in the presence of its family and friends. Our character is very much influenced by our society and more specifically by our family.
When I was asked how will I actually react if a real Baby X exists, I said that I will probably hate Baby X because “it” seems to know it all and have it all. Everybody just wants to be like Baby X; Who would not want an almost perfect life, right? Perhaps the underlying reason why I will feel that way is because I envy Baby X for having very supportive parents. Maybe part of me really wants to be like Baby X too so that I can get rid of my own insecurities. Or maybe we really don’t want to be an X after all, maybe, all we need and all we want is just love and acceptance. Oh well, how i wish everyone around us is like Mr. and Mrs. Jones.
For the link to the story of Baby X:
http://www.trans-man.org/baby_x.html
image source:
http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/2987348/2/istockphoto_2987348_checkered_red_and_white_ribbon.jpg
