Thank you for taking the time to write this, I appreciate it.
Body parts that cause dysphoria are not "functioning fine."
I understand that mental is separate from physical. And you have done a good job explaining it. I can see that reassignment surgery is a positive thing—both that it exists and that it "works". The same way antipsychotics are a lifesaver for thos with mental illness. (Please take that statement exactly for what it is. I am not correlating gender identity disorder to mental illness, although many have and do and will continue to).
As far as the word mutilation goes, I just can't think of another word that fits to describe one perspective of looking at it. It's not to take away from the fact that I am happy the option exists and I am thrilled it is "corrective surgery"... but the fact is, i have several MTF friends who will not have bottom surgery because they don't want to mess with what they have down there due to sensitivity issues and because (in one of their own words) they are not defined by their genitals. They do, however, consider themselves 100% female, and experience plenty problems with romantic due to fetishsim and even prejudice from the trans community who do have full transition surgery. Do they also have dysphoria? Yes and no. The friend who says no, I can't say whether it's denial, conditioning, survival, or what makes them happy with what they have, but they are. Is it weakness, is it strength? It's not for us to say. They also use the word mutilation, which they are entitled to so in reference to their own body.
I also know someone, and have come across many (online or in passing) who doesn't really identify with either gender entirely, and are very happy and content with their body, and another girl who has a male presenting "vessel" but with zero transitioning identifies fully and completely as female. So this furthers my wonder as to whether if society were different, and people individually were different, would more people be happier with what they have and be able to express and present themselves any which way they please with the same comfortability and confidence. Certainly it's different for everyone, and there will always be the possibility of some kind of dysphoria for some (gender related or otherwise), but ultimately, society is going to have to accept varying presentations and identifications of gender. Because it exists—even if this does not pertain to you or the original person i posed my questions to.
Social dysphoria might not be as much of a problem; most likely not. But our gender identity is not determined by social factors. Those things mold how we express our gender, but our core identity, how we perceive ourselves, is likely to be biologically determined.
I hear you, and believe this to be true too. Nevertheless, social conditining is almost inextricable from every human experinece. Everyone's.
I feel like i'm playing "devil's advocate" in this thread or something. I know that's not an appropriate comparison, but either way. I am not, i just wanted to discuss various concepts and ideas and i enjoy that reddit offers the forum to do so.
I appreciate the interaction with you. Thank you.