Although I have been thinking about it for quite some time, my current situation brings me to re evaluate what gender is. After discussing this in private I think I need your thoughts on this.
I see it in other people very clearly but I myself do not really know what gender truly is. For a long time I have been trying to figure out what part of gender is pushed on us by society and what part is actually biological. There are parts of me that I identify as male and parts that I identify as female. The point is that I myself do not know if I regard them as female because society tells me to or because they actually are female.
Trying to figure this out I set up a mental experiment about crossdressing. I immediately came at 2 realizations:
1) Is female clothing actually female, or something temporarily regarded as female by society?
2) Is wearing such clothing going to change who I am?
The answer on both was clearly no. The only thing that was going to change in this scenario is the way I express myself to others. And if the answer is no it means that in this scenario no change is needed for me to be myself.
There we have it: a head on collision between reason and feelings.
1. Of course it is dictated by society
2. No, of course not.
However, what you wear WILL influence how 'society' views you and is therefore important to some people. You will always be you; others who don't know you well will draw conclusions about you based partly upon the rules of society.
Quote from: LilDoberman on August 17, 2010, 01:58:15 PM
You will always be you; others who don't know you well will draw conclusions about you based partly upon the rules of society.
One of humanity's great flaws.
Quote from: Octavianus on August 17, 2010, 02:11:04 PM
One of humanity's great flaws.
But it is what it is. Not going to change in our lifetimes so we have to accept and deal with it.
Quote from: cynthialee on August 17, 2010, 02:14:43 PM
But it is what it is. Not going to change in our lifetimes so we have to accept and deal with it.
That is true and we have to accept that. But It feels not correct to force people in a corset of expected appearance and behaviour.
Trying to break these limits is like flipping a finger to society with the result that society returns the favor.
Society, ours anyway, changes all the time.
Before the Beatles hit the US, long hair was for certain types of weirdos, frankly. I recall, at the beginning of 1964, when the Beatles were about to arrive, a news paper in the US put two photos on the front page, one as they appeared, the next with them completely bald.
For some time after, long hair was associated with rebellion, unAmericanism, communism even. (Like most things really). This was the so-called long hair that caused all the commotion. http://www.bandswallpapers.com/img1107.htm (http://www.bandswallpapers.com/img1107.htm)
There was a time when black people didn't socialise, let alone date or (heaven forbid), marry white people. Equally, people of different social classes.
Our society moves forward. Individual liberties are expanded. This is the principal of individualism. Individual freedom to express ourselves.
When I was growing up and into early adulthood, homosexuality was a crime. I was a criminal the first time I fell in love!! Just for the fact!
Society needs to move forward. Oppressing individual needs to express and identify ourselves is the antithesis of freedom. To deny freedom is insulting to the individual and demeaning to society.
Transgendered people exist. There is ample evidence that they have existed throughout history.
Relationships based upon mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual affection are human. They don't need excusing or justifying
Well put! I grew up with that also. I'm still seeing positive changes. Not fast enough of course, but it's moving forward still.
Society never fails to disappoint me in this regard... I feel much like others here. At least it is inching forwards as time goes on, but not nearly fast enough.
Interestingly BBC R4 had an interesting take on this yesterday...
They claimed Gender is in fact a socialization thang......
Where as Biological Sex is a genetic thing....
You can catch it here if in the UK....sadly not for those in the US with an int' ISP
BBC iPlayer - Fry's English Delight: Series 3: He Said, She Said (http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00tdmqr/)
I think we also need to differentiate between gender roles/performance and gender identity.