Thomas Beatie Pose - Ronald Deng

During lecture today, a question was brought up regarding Thomas Beatie's pose in which he puts his right hand behind his head and his left on his stomach. Many students believe that Thomas Beatie is not putting his hand behind his head but rather flexing his arm to demonstrate some muscles and armpit hair, things associated with masculinity. In a sense, he is trying to exemplify that he has not lost his masculinity just because he is pregnant. I, however, believe that Beatie is showing some uncertainty by posing in such a way. It is possible that Beatie feels as if he is forced in a way to return to his prior sex as a female and feels uncomfortable or embarrassed.