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== Gender vs Sex == |
== Gender vs Sex == |
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[[Sex]] is a biological value, generally determined by genitalia, hormones, and/or chromosomes. Genitalia is typically the basis for one's assigned gender at birth. For example, a |
[[Sex]] is a biological value, generally determined by genitalia, hormones, and/or chromosomes. Genitalia is typically the basis for one's assigned gender at birth. For example, a individual with a penis is generally [[AMAB|assigned male at birth]] and is typically raised with the expectation that they will identify as male. If one's sex characteristics differ from male or female, it is known as [[intersex]]. |
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It is generally accepted that sex refers to one's physically characteristics, while gender refers to one's internal sense of identity and relation to the gender roles in one's society. Sex and gender do not have to align. |
It is generally accepted that sex refers to one's physically characteristics, while gender refers to one's internal sense of identity and relation to the gender roles in one's society. Sex and gender do not have to align. |
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The concept of gender, in the modern sense, is a recent invention. The ancient world had no basis of understanding gender as it has been understood in the humanities and social sciences for the past few decades. In many societies there was no distinction between sex and gender, so "sex" was used to refer to either. |
The concept of gender, in the modern sense, is a recent invention. The ancient world had no basis of understanding gender as it has been understood in the humanities and social sciences for the past few decades. In many societies there was no distinction between sex and gender, so "sex" was used to refer to either. |
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Sexologist John Money introduced the terminological distinction between biological sex and gender, and coined the term "gender role" in 1955. He defined it as "all those things that a |
Sexologist John Money introduced the terminological distinction between biological sex and gender, and coined the term "gender role" in 1955. He defined it as "all those things that a individual says or does to disclose himself or herself as having the status of boy or man, girl or woman." Before his work, it was uncommon to use the word gender to refer to anything but grammatical categories.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20170902100748/http://people.virginia.edu/~ser6f/udry.pdf</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20120615160110/http://www.oeb.harvard.edu/faculty/haig/Publications_files/04InexorableRise.pdf</ref> However, this meaning of the word did not become widespread until the 1970s, when feminist theory embraced the concept of a distinction between biological sex and the social construct of gender. |
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In some contexts, the two words are still used interchangeably, such as with non-human animals. For instance, in 1993, the US FDA started to use gender instead of sex for animals.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20150406164205/https://www.fda.gov/downloads/RegulatoryInformation/Guidances/UCM126835.pdf</ref> Later, in 2011, the FDA reversed its position and began using sex as the biological classification.<ref>https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/guidance-documents-medical-devices-and-radiation-emitting-products/evaluation-sex-specific-data-medical-device-clinical-studies-guidance-industry-and-food-and-drug</ref> In legal cases alleging discrimination, sex is usually preferred as the determining factor rather than gender, as it refers to biology rather than socially constructed norms which are more open to interpretation and dispute. |
In some contexts, the two words are still used interchangeably, such as with non-human animals. For instance, in 1993, the US FDA started to use gender instead of sex for animals.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20150406164205/https://www.fda.gov/downloads/RegulatoryInformation/Guidances/UCM126835.pdf</ref> Later, in 2011, the FDA reversed its position and began using sex as the biological classification.<ref>https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/guidance-documents-medical-devices-and-radiation-emitting-products/evaluation-sex-specific-data-medical-device-clinical-studies-guidance-industry-and-food-and-drug</ref> In legal cases alleging discrimination, sex is usually preferred as the determining factor rather than gender, as it refers to biology rather than socially constructed norms which are more open to interpretation and dispute. |
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== How many genders? == |
== How many genders? == |
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Gender is a infinitely large spectrum, with many positions and identities. A simple way of looking at it is male, female, and everything in between (androgyne). For example, [[Demiboy|demiboys]] are slightly, but not fully men. Androgyne |
Gender is a infinitely large spectrum, with many positions and identities. A simple way of looking at it is male, female, and everything in between (androgyne). For example, [[Demiboy|demiboys]] are slightly, but not fully men. Androgyne individuals are in between or simultaneously men and women. However, this model is still flawed as it does not encompass the full range of potential gender experiences, such as [[abinary]] and [[atrinary]] genders. |
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== Resources == |
== Resources == |
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