Conceiving of gender and sex as binary concepts is a stubborn means of categorization that has long limited human understanding of important aspects of identity and experience. In most cultures humans become binary subjects at birth in two major ways: 1) we are corralled into either male or female sexed body designations based on anatomical and hormonal differences and 2) we are gendered as either a man or a woman based on this initial sexed body designation. Being given a “gender” at birth based on sex is little more than a bad prediction. When family members are disappointed or elated at gender reveal parties, for instance, it is because they are putting much stock into the idea that biology equals destiny. While the gender binary is increasingly being discounted as more people and institutions recognize gender as a socially constructed set of personality traits and behaviors (i.e. not natural and not static), the sex binary is often left intact and deemed scientifically sound. This articulate and well-researched academic article from the Archives of Sexual Behavior shows how conceiving of BOTH sex and gender along spectrums – as opposed to binaries – is more scientifically and experientially accurate. And below, we’ve linked you to an informative piece from The Conversation that investigates the current gender panic and heated politics that are front and center in cultural discourse. Both sex and gender are concepts with multiple contested meanings and usages, and this piece thoroughly investigates them.
Gender Trouble Again
