the introduction, and not by accident, is the difference between gender and sex. There is not a question as to what someone is born as from a sexual standpoint at birth. Of course, this construct is entirely physical and the gender or gender identity of a person can be an entirely different thing. As explained by Monash University, sex refers specifically and only to biological characteristics and difference. It pertains to things like chromosomes, hormonal profiles and the sex organs that are physically present. While these can indeed be altered through reassignment surgery and the like, the vast majority of… Continue Reading...
(Shagufta Parvenn & Adeel Tariq, 2012).
Gender Stereotyping
Gender and sex are often viewed as interchangeable terms. This is not correct as there are nuances to the meaning of each word. The World Health Organization's definition of gender encompasses the roles, activities, attributes and behaviors that the society appropriates to men and women. Sex, on the other hand, is physiological and biological characteristics defining men and women. Sex is denoted by 'Female or Male' while gender is denoted by 'Masculine or Feminine'. What a person is, is their sex, while the stereotypes associated with their sex is their… Continue Reading...
queer and feminist theory.
Butler considers what it means to reverse or undo the restrictive and normative gender and sex concepts. It is true that the normative conception about gender can reverse personhood and undermine the ability of people to preserve livable life. The undoing of normative restrictions can overrule previous conceptions about newer normative perceptions that make better livability a target. In other words, if gender happens to be a doing or a persistent activity executed without knowledge or will, this cannot be used as the premise on which people consider gender as mechanical or automatic. Butler argues that gender and sexuality are, contrary to normative… Continue Reading...
Gender and sexuality are very important for activists, practitioners and policymakers. Gender and sexuality have a big significance in people's lives in today's society. Sexuality encompasses gender roles and identities, sex and sexual orientation, intimacy, reproduction, pleasure and eroticism. Its expression can be found in behaviors, thoughts, roles, relationships, values, attitudes, desires and fantasies. While all these expressions characterize sexuality, an individual may not express or experience all of them. Interactions between psychological, economic, cultural, legal, ethical, religious, spiritual and biological factors influence sexuality (Ilkkaracan & Jolly).
The Link between… Continue Reading...
transgender) acronym in their attempt to portray inclusivity of gender and sexual minorities. But it fails at adequately representing societal gender and sexual gender diversity. Thus, for us, as social workers, a more "inclusive" acronym would be LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer, intersex, and asexual). However, even this acronym doesn't sufficiently represent the wide gamut of identity, attraction, and gender identity-related behavior. The social work profession needs to constantly endeavor to gain a better grasp of societal diversity, so as to better cater to clients who come with various queries and issues (Dunk, 2007). We must work to… Continue Reading...
Essentialist vs. Constructionist Views of Gender and Sexuality
During a period in history when gender lines and blurring and conceptualizations of sexuality are changing, identifying how these trends affect modern society has assumed new importance and relevance, especially given the legal implications of these trends for Americans today. It is also important to note, though, that these same trends occurred in many ways in some parts of the ancient world where pansexuality was the norm rather than the exception. The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the relevant literature to describe… Continue Reading...
ago. The language is dated but the themes remain relevant, especially as they pertain to gender and sex roles. Right from the beginning of the book, Hays lets her readers know that this is going to be a scathing critique of patriarchy. Protagonist Mary speaks with a proud tone, noting that her benefactor helped her to overcome the titular gender and class-related prejudices that besieged both men and women. Whereas women were supposed to be demure and weak, Mary notes that she was "indebted for a robust constitution, a cultivated understanding, and a vigorous intellect," (p. 5). She does not flaunt her strengths for egotistic… Continue Reading...
