According to the World Health Organization: “Gender refers to the characteristics of women, men, girls and boys that are socially constructed. This includes norms, behaviors and roles associated with being a woman, man, girl or boy, as well as relationships with each other. As a social construct, gender varies from society to society and
It’s unfortunate that the WHO has conflated gender and gender identity in their statement. The social effects pertain to gender identity, as do the related stereotypes. Gender should pertain to biology.
Words that express gender identity are typically adjectives, such as manly, feminine, etc. What is considered appropriate to gender identity is mutable and can change with social norms, like hairstyles, fashion, sport activity or the lack there of, etc.
Does anyone think there’s a gene for preferring to wear a dress?
In the past 60 or so years, stereotypes for men and women have been socially changed drastically from what they were previously, and many have become gender neutral. Many current trans people are fixating on classic gender identity stereotypes.
Other than that conflation, I agree whole heartedly with those who see no biological (i.e. intrinsic) basis for people with otherwise normal bodies for one or the other sex (I.e. gender) to be transgender.
To me, it seems that true candidates for gender transitioning are likely physically androgynous or have serious mental illness that can only be appeased by physical transitioning.
Is Gender Innate? Spoiler: No.
It’s unfortunate that the WHO has conflated gender and gender identity in their statement. The social effects pertain to gender identity, as do the related stereotypes. Gender should pertain to biology.
Words that express gender identity are typically adjectives, such as manly, feminine, etc. What is considered appropriate to gender identity is mutable and can change with social norms, like hairstyles, fashion, sport activity or the lack there of, etc.
Does anyone think there’s a gene for preferring to wear a dress?
In the past 60 or so years, stereotypes for men and women have been socially changed drastically from what they were previously, and many have become gender neutral. Many current trans people are fixating on classic gender identity stereotypes.
Other than that conflation, I agree whole heartedly with those who see no biological (i.e. intrinsic) basis for people with otherwise normal bodies for one or the other sex (I.e. gender) to be transgender.
To me, it seems that true candidates for gender transitioning are likely physically androgynous or have serious mental illness that can only be appeased by physical transitioning.