Gender(s)
Gender
Gender is a complex and multifaceted construct that encompasses social, psychological, and cultural elements. It is shaped through the process of socialization, in which individuals learn norms and expectations related to gender from various sources, including family, school, and media. These norms and expectations often impose specific roles and patterns of behavior on individuals within society, with the notion of masculinity and femininity being prominent examples. However, these norms and expectations can vary across different societies and cultures, leading to different understandings of what is considered masculine or feminine. Unfortunately, gender norms are often rooted in a heteronormative order that assumes there are only two genders and that they are attracted to each other, leaving those who do not fit this binary notion vulnerable to exclusion, discrimination, and violence.
Sex is typically categorized as
male, female or intersex.
Statistics on Intersexual births
“frequency may be as high as 2% of live births. The frequency of individuals receiving “corrective” genital surgery, however, probably runs between 1 and 2 per 1,000 live births (0.1-0.2%).”
Gender ≠ Sex
"Sex" refers to the biological and physiological differences between males and females, determined by their reproductive organs, hormones, and chromosomes. It is the term used to describe a person's sexual anatomy or body parts. At birth, doctors usually assign a sex based on the baby's physical characteristics. However, there are instances where the sex may be assigned later, such as in the case of intersex individuals, whose sexual characteristics do not clearly indicate male or female. It is also possible for some individuals, such as transsexual people, to undergo sex reassignment surgeries to change their sexual anatomy and hormonal make-up
Gender(s) Identity
Gender identity is a deeply personal and internal sense of one's own gender. It refers to how a person perceives themselves in terms of being male, female, both, neither, or any other gender identity. It is a subjective experience that can be influenced by various factors, such as biology, upbringing, culture, and personal experiences. Unlike gender expression, which refers to the external manifestations of gender through behavior, clothing, and other factors, gender identity is not necessarily visible to others and may not conform to traditional societal expectations of gender.
Gender Terms
Gender expression refers to how individuals display their gender to the world, whether it be through clothing, behavior, or other outwardly visible characteristics. Society has assigned certain traits as being either masculine or feminine, but these notions are constantly evolving and differ across cultures.
Cisgender or simply "cis" is a term used to describe someone whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.
Transgender or simply "trans" is a term used to describe someone whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. For instance, a transgender man may have been assigned female at birth but identifies as male.
Nonbinary is a term that describes individuals who do not identify as solely male or female, and may use various terms to describe their gender identity, including "nonbinary" or "genderqueer."
Agender is an adjective used to describe someone who does not identify with any particular gender.
Gender-expansive is a term used to describe individuals whose gender identity is not limited to traditional male or female categories.
Gender transition is a process that individuals may go through to bring their body and identity into alignment. This may involve a variety of steps, such as changing one's name and pronouns, medical interventions like hormone therapy or surgery, or updating legal documents.
Gender dysphoria refers to the distress that can arise when an individual's gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. It is important to note that not all trans individuals experience gender dysphoria, and those who do may experience it to varying degrees.