gen·der
Noun: either of the two sexes (male and female), especially when considered with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones. The term is also used more broadly to denote a range of identities that do not correspond to established ideas of male and female.
Traditionally, gender has largely been defined by and equated with binary biological sex. We as a society (especially within Western society) have developed a norm of assigning gender identity at birth based on biology. We confidently announce, “It’s a boy!” or “It’s a girl!” upon a baby’s arrival into this world based on their genitalia alone. This is the definition of gender that everyone is familiar with, but it is a false definition and has created a false equivalency between biology and gender. Not only that, but it has even created misconceptions about human biology as a whole. Both biology and gender exist on a spectrum. There is more than just boy or girl, and there are more than just XY and XX chromosomes (intersex people do exist).
Simply put, gender is a social construct, and it is hierarchical. A social construct is a concept created, changed, and reproduced through historical processes within institutions and cultures. We construct categorized concepts that reflect their social, cultural, or institutional role. In other words, societies propose interpretations, rather than objective observations, of our perceived physical reality, that we make a general consensus on. Gender, like many other social constructs, is hierarchical, as they have largely been put in place, or influenced to create unequal power structures.
Now, there are in fact perceived gender-distinctive behaviors that derive from biological differences. Testosterone, the male hormone, and estrogen, the female hormone, are closely linked to sexual behaviors, the ways we learn, memorize information, and communicate with others. However, we do not know to what extent hormones make an impact on these behaviors. Despite that line being unclear, what is clear is that biological factors are only one small factor that contributes to gender identity and expression out of many.
Gender is a product of both nature and nurture. Gender is multidimensional. There are several factors that contribute to its concept: biological, social, behavioral, psychological, and environmental. Nobody is born with an innate concept of gender, or how it plays into their deep inner sense of self and identity. Nobody is born understanding the societal expectations and roles assigned by gender. While we incorporate our own concepts of gender identity throughout our lives, defining gender objectively and broadly cannot be done without the influence of culture.
Culture refers to a social group's shared ideas, customs, values, and behaviors. Culture is the fabric of all societies and the very perception of our realities – it is the key component that defines our identity and worldview. Our cultural beliefs, ideals, and social roles have played, and continue to play, a pivotal role in shaping how we define what it means to be a man, a woman, and even a human being on a philosophical level. There is no one universal way of perceiving, following, or defying gender, or gender roles. It is because of culture gender is colorful and unique. It is because of culture that gender looks and means different things to different groups of people across the globe.
There is a lot to say about gender. It is its own beautifully expansive and complex world to explore. Ultimately though, gender is who we are on the inside. It is a foundational aspect of our identities. It is a deep-rooted sense of self that no one but you needs to understand to be valid.
SOURCES:
Gender and Health. 19 June 2019, www.who.int/health-topics/gender.
Prismic. “Understanding Gender.” Gender Spectrum, genderspectrum.org/articles/understanding-gender. Accessed 16 Jan. 2023.
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