Growing up, I had always understood that “gender” was synonymous with “sex.” Simply put, it is what you were born, male or female, defined by one’s biological sex organs. However, I have now come to see an important difference between the two terms. To me, the term “sex” still remains biological. However, the term “gender” has evolved into much more. I have come to understand that gender is by self-definition; people do not just classify themselves by sex organs, but by what qualities and traits they exhibit. For example, after the 2010 census I had read an article about a white male who had listed himself as black because he believed it was the best description of his true ethnicity. He had grown up in a black neighborhood and lived what he believed was a black lifestyle. Similar to this man’s ethnicity, gender, to me, is by self-definition. If a person is born a man, but feels that he mostly possesses female qualities; he would be able to define his gender as female. Gender is completely reliant on the thoughts, feelings, and definitions of the individual.
So when I have to define my own gender qualities, I would classify myself as female. I am interested in men and love curling my hair, smelling flowers, and buying perfume. GIRL STUFF. However, “girl stuff” tends to be shallowly defined by society’s stereotypes, what appears in magazine and movies. I enjoy stereotypical “boy stuff” too, which just makes things so much more complicated. I find it so difficult to see how anyone can truly possess all of the qualities of one gender. However, I guess that by society’s terms, I will always consider myself as female. Yet does it really even matter? Female is a word, it will never encompass my true essence; it will just be a box that I check every now and then. My gender will never define me.
I really like your connection between gender and ethnicity. However, I don't believe that ethnicity can be selected or discovered in the same way that one's gender can. Ethnicity is very physical, at least from what I understand, while gender may have more to do with the inner workings of a person's mind. I guess, in my opinion, ethnicity is something that just isn't as flexible as the process of discovery that everyone goes through with gender.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I found the separation between "girl stuff" and "boy stuff" incredibly accurate. Society really does mold us to fit into one or the other... although I guess I break that by having a subscription to Cosmopolitan (the "Naughtiest Thing I've Ever Done" article is amazing!). The line "it will never encompass my true essence" really is powerful - it almost brings up the argument of why do we even have gender in the first place? What's it purpose? I like it! Awesome post! :)
I think gender and ethnicity are both *very* physical, but I agree that we need to make a distinction here. Gender prejudice and discrimination based on race or ethnicity have two, totally different histories of oppression, and the consequences of each are drastically different. Also, I like how determined you are to never be defined by your gender--pretty feisty indeed! But I wonder why certain people are in a position to make that kind of statement while others are not. Is it merely personal preference, and if so, who decides who gets to have that preference?
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