9781422282731

CHAPTER ONE: GENDER AND SEX

Gender, on the other hand, refers to a social classification of individuals into categories that each society constructs in connection with the differences between males and females. Most societies—but not all—divide those differences into two genders, feminine and masculine. A person’s gender is ascribed at birth and achieved in life by learning attitudes and behaviors through gender socialization . Gender also refers to the physical, behavioral, and personality traits that a particular society considers to be appropriately masculine or feminine in each society. For example, some societies might define masculinity as being more aggressive and competitive, and femininity as more emotional and nurturing, while other societies might have different expectations and norms . These characteristics are not biologically determined; they’re constructed by societies and cultures. Gender shapes how we interact with others and how we think of ourselves. It also involves a hierarchy placing women and men in different positions in terms of power, wealth, and other resources. Transgendered people are individuals whose gender identity diverges from the gender they were assigned at birth and may differ from their physical sex. For example, a transgender man may have female genitalia but identify as a man. Some transgendered people have sex reassignment surgery, but not all of them do. Gender in the World Gender norms vary throughout the world and have varied throughout history. In 18th century western European fashion, masculine attire included a wig, a hat with feathers, breeches and stockings, a ruffled long-sleeved white shirt, and square-toed shoes with ribbons and bows. In the 21st century, not only are these styles not considered masculine, but many of them would actually be considered feminine. Individuals who do not align with the norms of their place and time can run into conflicts. For example, when female South African athlete Caster Semenya won the Gold Medal in the 800-meter race at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, she had to submit to a gender verification test because her physical appearance was considered too

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