Gender = Sex?
Biological sex
Female/Male
Genetics: chromosomes, XX, XY
Hormones: Estrogen, Testosterone
Brain chemistry
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Female Brain & Male Brain
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Concept of Continuum
Re: Biological Sex Genotype/Phenotype
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We All Start Out Female
More female sperm in a mans body
At conception, the fertilized egg is proto-female (sex differentiation occurs after 7-8 weeks, not visible with ultrasound until 18-20 weeks)
More female babies are born
More female babies live beyond 1 year
Females have longer life expectancy
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Population Figures
51% of worlds population is female
49% is male
Why?
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Gender Identity
The gender with which a person identifies
A psychological feeling
More useful to conceptualize a continuum
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Gender Identity Independent of Sexual Orientation
All people, regardless of their sexual orientation, deal with issues of gender
Gender identity does not create sexual orientation
Masculine and feminine heterosexuals, homosexuals, bisexuals, transgendered people can identify w/ any sexual orientation
Selected Gender Terms
Gender Binary/Non-Binary
Gender Identity Gender Fluid
Gender Identity Dysphoria Cisgender
Gender Role Pangender
Gender Stereotype Transgender
Gender Role Socialization Intersex
Gender Role Conflict
Binary vs. Non-Binary
Binary – Concept that gender identity can only be conceptualized in terms of Masculinity/Femininity (belief that there are only two genders and that one’s sex or gender assigned at birth will align with traditional social constructs, expression, and sexuality)
Non-Binary – Non-binary gender identity is just one term used to describe individuals who may experience a gender identity that is neither exclusively male or female or is in between or beyond both genders (some use term Gender Queer)
