Understanding gender and sex differences

Let’s talk about gender and sex differences. I know there’s been a lot of discussion in the media lately about: Gender, Gender Fluid, Transgenderr, which confuses many people. It is normal to be confused, let’s analyze this busy term.

The reason terminology is so problematic is that sometimes the context or meaning changes. As culture shifts and changes, so does our language, including the denotations and connotations of words.

Basic education

A biology class on human genetics revealed that males and females have a total of 46 chromosomes, including two sex chromosomes that determine biological sex. Males typically have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome, while females typically have two X chromosomes. This difference in sex chromosomes leads to significant differences in physical development, affecting both primary and secondary sex characteristics, such as reproductive organs and body structure.

However, human genetics is not always so simple. Some people are born with an atypical combination of sex chromosomes, which can result in intersex characteristics. For example, people with Klinefelter syndrome have an extra X chromosome (XXY), while people with Turner syndrome have only one X chromosome (XO). These conditions can result in a mixture of male and female physical characteristics, or lead to unique biological traits. Intersex people may have physical characteristics of both sexes, challenging binary understandings of biological sex.

These genetic variations highlight that biological sex is more complex than a simple male-female dichotomy. We must acknowledge and respect the diversity of human genetics and understand that biological differences cannot be simply divided into two categories. By acknowledging this complexity, we can have more inclusive and informed discussions around sex and gender traits.

Gender and Sex Are Different Things

If you think about the people who have trouble understanding: gender– Gender fluid, non-binary and transgender people — almost always older people. Ah, the baby boomers, blaming everyone but themselves for the world’s problems. This belief stems from a time when gender was synonymous with a person’s biological sex; it was a binary distinction that defined whether a person was male or female.

Since then, people have started arguing about whether gender is your biological sex or the reproductive organs you are born with. Well, do you agree with me? When you are born, gender is biological, either male or female sexual organs, which will determine your gender.

Gender differences

Here comes the complicated part – gender and sex differences

Now, gender refers to the socially constructed system or characteristics between femininity and masculinity, and these classifications are subjective and vary by cultural aspect. I know this is a lot of fancy words, but bear with me. In simple terms, when you imagine an Australian man, you probably think of football shorts, beer, work boots, etc.

These traits are related to our understanding of masculinity because our society considers these traits to be masculine. However, the definition of sex and gender does depend on cultural aspects, and the definition of a man in one culture does not apply to all cultures. The definition of an Australian man is very different from the definition of a Peruvian man.

We teach children about gender

Because sex and gender characteristics are often conflated, many people believe that your sex at birth determines your gender and the characteristics associated with that specific gender. This is not a fixed idea of male and female, but rather something that is taught from birth, with baby girls being given pink clothes and dolls, and baby boys being given blue clothes and monster trucks. From a young age, boys are taught that expressing emotions, playing with girls’ toys, or playing dress-up are feminine traits, and boys are shamed for such behavior.

People need labels – sex and gender distinctions

Experts say, “Gender is now one of the busiest and most restless terms in the English language, a word that appears everywhere but whose usage seems to be forever changing, always on the move, producing new and often surprising changes in meaning.” Humans have long been afraid of the unknown, and people often prefer ideologies that we can label and categorize.

If a woman dresses in male clothing, behaves like a man, but still presents herself as a woman, this confuses people because she breaks the normative positioning of her assumed gender, or more precisely, breaks society’s expectations of her, and then she must choose to return to her gender positioning in order for people to accept her, otherwise she will continue to break this positioning and be treated differently by society.

Basically, when people question her gender and sexuality, calling her a lesbian justifies the behavior and makes others feel more comfortable because there is a reason for her behavior.

Does gender really matter?

The term gender is problematic because it is difficult to distinguish between different sexes. A researcher named Bradley stated: “…gender is not just a fixed label for an individual…”

Glover and Kaplan also assert that society focuses on gender roles, gender gaps, and gender biases rather than what gender means to an individual. The truth is that the word gender is very subjective and ambiguous, and it can change depending on anyone’s desires, beliefs, sexual preferences. [or lack thereof] This is what causes the term to become busy.

There’s a reason why many people have trouble understanding the concept of gender, because it’s inherently complex. Gender is fascinating to study – however, it’s different when people who disagree with various gender concepts use it to bully and harass others. At the end of the day, everyone should be less concerned with what sex organs a person has and more concerned with who they are on the inside.

What did you learn today?

Understanding gender and sex differences is critical in today’s evolving society. Gender is not strictly related to biological sex; it is influenced by cultural, social, and personal factors. As our understanding of gender continues to grow, it is critical to respect each person’s identity and expression.

Stereotypes and outdated beliefs limit personal growth and understanding. Embracing diverse gender identities can create a more inclusive and compassionate society. We should focus on a person’s character, not their gender. By educating ourselves and others, we can break down misconceptions and create a world where everyone feels valued and respected.

Meet Stephen, a bold and outspoken cisgender gay man advocating for gender equality and sex education. Join him on the Adultsmart blog for his bold insights.