What is Gender?

WHAT IS GENDER? : 

WHAT IS GENDER? By Sequoia Elisabeth Carpenter For more information on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation go to: http://SequoiaBlessed.info Material is not copyrighted, but Credit is requested by posting URL.

Gender in Society : 

Gender in Society Most in society never give their gender a 2nd thought. Every day we interact with individuals and with repeat interactions we get to know a person. The level of interaction will vary in importance and significance to us with each person. The aspect of our being called ‘gender’ is actually an important function of how we react to others and how they treat us.

Personal Aspects : 

Personal Aspects Gender is just one aspect of our nature Others include - personality, demeanor, attitude, physical sex, physical attractiveness, Sexual Orientation, body habitus, intelligence, common sense, and self actualization. The first thing we notice when we meet someone are the persons size, gender, attractiveness, and how comfortable they are with themselves. The package you present totals your nature and nurture.

Personal Aspects cont. : 

Personal Aspects cont. Some aspects are a gift from birth and others are learned. Innate aspects are - size, gender, sexual orientation, common sense and physical attractiveness (for the most part) Personality, demeanor, attitude, physical sex, body habitus, intelligence, and self actualization are learned. Gender falls in the innate attributes which means we are born with our gender and we cannot change this, unless we get a new brain.

Sex vs. Gender : 

Sex vs. Gender Different aspects of gender are gender identity, gender expression, gender role, and gender sex. Gender and Sex are often incorrectly used interchangeably. Sex as a word has many usages and thus the confusion. When we are born the first thing the parents want to know is, “is the child a boy or a girl” This is gender sex not gender identity or even gender role. Our gender sex is determined by the physical body parts we have at birth.

How do we define Ourselves? : 

How do we define Ourselves? Is a woman who has had a complete hysterectomy still a woman? Is this person female? What factor is it that makes a person male or female? What makes a person man or woman? Where does gender fit in?

Gender Identity : 

Gender Identity Gender Identity is a person’s innate sense of being masculine or feminine. Cannot be determined until the person is at least 3 years old and often it is 5-6 years of age. Since this is an inner knowing of the individual no other person is able to determine the gender. Since Gender Identity is innate it cannot be changed by therapy or any other known methods.

Native Gender Identity : 

Native Gender Identity Early Native American cultures would not name their child until they were 4-6 years old. First the child is allowed to express their gender identity and find their place in the tribe. A generic baby name is used until this time The naming involved the entire tribe including the child. Once the name was given the person wore it like a badge of honor, because it reflected their very nature - their Great Spirit.

Role vs. Expression : 

Role vs. Expression Gender role is the activities we are involved in. Cleaning house and babysitting are examples of female gender roles. Gender expression is about our outer appearance. Wearing make-up and female clothes are examples of female gender expression. Old gender stereotypes are breaking down, so we are now seeing women in active military. Twenty years ago that was unheard of. Men are cleaning house, washing dishes and babysitting now days too and this does not make them female. It is about equal gender roles in the home.

Gender & Fetal Development : 

Gender & Fetal Development Research on fetal development shows the following What determines Gender Identity is the effect of hormones on the fetus in the earliest stages of development. “Scientific evidence has been growing that somehow certain brain-structures in the hypothalamus (the BSTc region) determine each person's core gender feelings and innate gender identity. These structures are "hard-wired" pre-natally in the lower brain centers and central nervous system during the early stages of pregnancy”. (Dennis, Carina Jan. 29, 2004) It is believed that certain genes also play a role in gender development, but the exact process has yet to be worked out. Gender variance is a natural process that occurs in all species of animals.

Gender Sex : 

Gender Sex Gender sex = Physical sex: refers to the sexual organs. Gender as a word is a persons gender identity. Examples of Gender are Man, Woman & Transgender. Sex as a word refers to the sexual organs Examples of Sex are Male, Female & Intersex

Sexual Orientation : 

Sexual Orientation Sexual Orientation - Our love/sexual behavior patterns, and how we relate to others on a social and interpersonal as well as sexual level. Examples of Sexual Orientation are Heterosexual, Homosexual, Bisexual, Asexual, and Pansexual. Sexual Orientation is separate and independent of Gender Identity Both traits are innate, meaning cannot be changed.

Sexual Orientation Defined : 

Sexual Orientation Defined Asexual - Indicating lack of interest in sexual activity. Bisexual - Sexual attraction to both men and woman, dependent on a sexual binary. Heterosexual - A person who is attracted to the opposite sex or gender. Homosexual - A person who is attracted to the same sex or gender. Pansexual - A person who is sexually attracted to all sexes or genders including intersex and transgender.

Intersex – The 3rd Sex : 

Intersex – The 3rd Sex Intersex - the child has both male and female sexual organs or part(s) of both. Hermaphrodite - old term which is no longer used. Surgeon used to decide which sex is appropriate, usually after consulting the parents but not always. If the sex chosen does not match the gender identity can lead to anger, frustration and sometimes to suicide. New trend is to wait till child can express gender identity and sign consent as an adult before any surgery is performed. Hormone blockers are used to delay puberty till after surgery.

Transgender Children : 

Transgender Children Gender Identity can be expressed at any age. Often it shows around 4-6 when the child can speak well. Child repeatedly expresses being in the wrong body, saying “I am a boy or a girl” opposite from their physical gender. If they persist for over 3 months, take this very serious and seek help. Transgender when treated before puberty is totally healable.

Review Questions : 

Review Questions What is Gender? Why is Gender important? What is Gender Sex? How are Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation similar? What is Pansexual? Name the third sex.

Review Question Answers : 

Review Question Answers When you hear or read the word Gender think Identity, Man or Woman, Both or Neither. Gender is important because it is one way in which we relate. Gender Sex is = to physical sex, when referring to a new born means genitalia. They are similar in both being “hard-wired” into the brain at birth or innate. A person who is sexually attracted to all sexes or genders including intersex and transgender. Intersex – means born with both sexual organs or part(s) of both.

Reference : 

Reference Carina Dennis (2004), "Brain development: The most important sexual organ" , Nature Magazine, January 29, 2004