Hello, dear readers of the KtoNaNovenkogo.ru blog.
Recently, the international community has increasingly raised gender issues.
However, many people are often confused about its subject due to a lack of understanding of the basic terms of this topic.
One of these is the concept of “gender”: what it is and whether you understand this word correctly, we will understand in our article, not forgetting about related definitions of gender and equality.
What is GENDER - definition, meaning in simple words.
In simple terms, Gender is more than male or female, and refers to your sense of who you are as a guy, girl, or whatever, as opposed to what your physical characteristics, genes, and hormones indicate. Identifying your gender (gender identity) can be more varied than simply identifying as “man” or “woman.” Different people express their gender in different ways.
Gender is how someone perceives themselves, identifies themselves internally, and how they choose to express themselves externally.
People can use their appearance, clothing style, and behavior to express the gender with which they identify.
Although genetic factors usually determine a person's biological sex, individuals determine their own gender identity. And for many of them, the gender they identify with is not the gender they were assigned to at birth, based on their physical and sexual characteristics.
The World Health Organization (WHO) views gender as a social construct that people typically describe as femininity and masculinity.
In many Western cultures, people associate femininity with women and masculinity with men, but this social construct varies.
People are equal!
In Italy, a man who cooks well is considered a real “macho”, while in Slavic countries cooking is considered a feminine activity. Because of this, as well as the preference to give leadership positions to men, conflicts arise that are regulated by gender policy:
- this refers to the state's responsibility for gender equality;
- creation of legal norms;
- creating equality.
Gender defines the behavior that should be attributed to a person based on their biological sex. This concept arose as a consequence of the development of self-awareness, as well as from the study of the feminist movement.
Story.
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and related identities have manifested themselves in different ways throughout history. All cultures included, with varying degrees of acceptance, those who practice same-sex relationships and those whose sex, gender identity, and gender expression do not conform to prevailing norms. And recently, issues of sexuality and gender have become politicized. The last fifty years have seen an increase in political activism surrounding the concept of gender and gender identity.
Communication differences2
Women tend to speak in the 1st person, they do not often interrupt a person, their speech is more correct, competent, they are less likely to laugh them off and call them names, and do not use slang. But women love unfinished sentences with subtext. Girls are well versed in colors and shades and often use adjectives.
Men are characterized by persistent, demanding, aggressive speech. They understand technical concepts better. And they are prone to using various specific words and harsh obscene statements, but women have recently been overcoming this gender difference, as proven by science.
What is gender identity?
Gender identity is your personal understanding of your gender and how you want the world to see you.
It's how you feel on the inside and how you express your gender through clothing, behavior, and appearance. This feeling begins at a very early age.
The physical features you were born with (sex assigned at birth) do not necessarily determine your gender. And while gender has traditionally been divided into “male” and “female,” it is now widely accepted that gender is not that simple and that there are many different gender identities.
For example, you may identify with a gender that is different from the sex you were assigned at birth:
- At birth you were assigned female gender, but you identify as a man;
- You were assigned male gender at birth, but identify as female;
- you define yourself somewhere between masculine and feminine;
- you recognize yourself as some other gender identity.
Some people don't know how to define their gender identity, while others may have doubts about it.
Types or types of genders.
There are many different words, terms and labels that people use to describe their gender or gender characteristics and identity. Here are some of the most common:
Cisgender.
A word used to describe people whose gender matches their body gender or assigned gender. For example, a cisgender man identifies as male, the gender assigned at birth.
In simple words, Cisgender is an ordinary man who feels like a man; a woman who feels like a woman.
Trans and gender diversity.
A general word used to identify people whose gender is different from their biological sex. Trans is an inclusive term because it includes all those who identify as non-binary and genderless.
Transgender.
A transgender person is a person whose gender identity or gender expression does not correspond to the sex usually assigned at birth.
Genderqueer/non-binary.
Genderqueer is someone who has a gender identity that does not match society's expectations of the sex they were assigned at birth or their assigned sex.
The term can also refer to someone who identifies as a combination of different genders. Any gender identity that falls within, outside, across, or between the spectrum of male and female binaries. A nonbinary person may identify as gender fluid, transmasculine, transfeminine, agender, bigender, etc.
Types/types of non-binary genders:
- An agender person is someone who does not identify with one specific gender or does not have one at all.
- An androgyne is someone whose gender is both feminine and masculine, or on the spectrum between feminine and masculine.
- A bigender is someone who has two genders, often demonstrating culturally and socially feminine and masculine roles.
- Genderfluid is someone who identifies as gender fluid and has a presentation and gender identity that fluctuates between or outside of society's expectations for gender.
- A gender outlaw is someone who refuses to allow society's definition of "woman" or "man" to define what they are.
- Omnigender is someone who combines all gender identities.
- Polygender and pangender are someone who experiences and exhibits aspects of different genders.
Intersex.
Intersex is a person born with reproductive organs, hormone levels, and/or sex chromosomes that are not exclusively male or female.
There are many different conditions of intersex, and they are not always obvious on the outside or even diagnosed.
Current use of the term
National governments and public organizations have been using the term “gender” extensively for a long time. They are developing a range of policies, tools and resources to ensure that their development programs take into account gender inequalities.
These strategies include mainstreaming a gender perspective into the organization, conducting gender and sexuality analyzes and gender assessments to determine the impact of programs, policies and laws.
Progress in implementing these strategies, and therefore in increasing gender awareness and gender equality, has been slow. Reasons for this include lack of commitment from stakeholders and insufficient allocation of resources.
Gaps in the collection, processing and reporting of gender-sensitive data also pose a major challenge to effective gender analysis.
Although gender issues are often recognized as important and clearly distinguished from sex issues, states and public organizations often pay less attention to them, considering other aspects of development, such as democracy, poverty or conflict, to be more relevant.
Natalia Shakhova
Sex and gender: differences.
The concepts “sex” and “gender” are often used interchangeably, despite their different meanings:
- Gender is a label (male or female) that we are assigned by a doctor at birth based on the genitalia we are born with and our chromosomes. The gender is listed on our birth certificate.
- Gender is a much more complex concept: it is a social and legal status and a set of expectations from society regarding behavior, characteristics and thoughts. Every culture has standards (stereotypes) for people's behavior depending on their gender. But rather than talking about body parts, it's more about what you're expected to do based on your gender identity.
Gender and sexual orientation.
There is a significant difference between the concepts of “gender” and “sexual orientation”. Gender and sexual orientation are two different but interrelated aspects of personality.
- Gender is personal (how we see ourselves).
- Sexual orientation is interpersonal (who we are physically, emotionally and/or romantically attracted to).
Why is it so important to distinguish between these two concepts? When we confuse gender with sexual orientation, we are likely making assumptions about people that have nothing to do with who they really are. For example, when someone's gender expression is inconsistent with the expectations of others, assumptions are often made about that person's sexual orientation. A boy who likes to play princess is considered gay, and a girl who buys clothes in the “boys” department and prefers short hair may be considered a lesbian. These may be erroneous conclusions. What someone wears and how they act is a function of gender expression. You can't tell a person's sexual orientation by what they wear (for that matter, you also can't tell their gender identity unless they tell you).
The confusion of gender and sexual orientation in our society can also impact young people's ability to understand and articulate aspects of their gender. For example, transgender or non-binary people often question whether they are gay or lesbian (or any other sexual orientation other than heterosexual) before coming to a fuller understanding of their gender identity. How we come to understand our gender and sexual orientation, and the decisions we make to discover and express it, are different paths.
Nonverbal Communication 3
Researchers have found that girls smile more often when talking, and they look longer into the eyes of the narrator than when speaking. Guys behave the same way when they listen and speak. They have developed tactile contact, they want to touch their interlocutor, especially pretty girls.
What is gender equality?
Gender equality is when people of all genders have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities.
Gender inequality affects everyone: women, men, transgender and agender people, children and entire families. It affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Gender equality prevents violence against women and girls, people whose biological sex does not match their gender. It is important to understand that societies in which all genders are equal are safer and healthier.
What are gender stereotypes?
A gender stereotype is a generalized idea or preconceived idea about the attributes, characteristics, or roles that different genders should possess or perform.
A gender stereotype is harmful when it limits people's ability to develop their personal abilities, pursue their professional careers, and/or make choices about their lives.
For example, the traditional view of women as childcare providers means that childcare responsibilities often fall solely on women.
Gender stereotyping refers to the practice of ascribing certain attributes, characteristics, or roles to an individual gender solely based on their membership in the social group of women or men. Gender stereotypes are unlawful if they lead to violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Examples include:
- No criminalization of marital rape on the basis that women are the sexual property of men;
- Failure to investigate, prosecute and condemn sexual violence against women, believing that victims of sexual violence consented to sexual acts because they did not dress or act “modestly.”
Incorrect gender stereotypes are a common cause of discrimination against women.
Manifestations in adolescence
From 7 to 12 years of age—the prepubertal period—children begin to form social groups, while avoiding members of the opposite sex. Belarusian psychologist Yakov Kolominsky conducted research according to which, when required to choose three classmates, boys give preference to boys, and girls to girls. However, provided anonymity is maintained, most children choose members of the opposite sex. This behavior indicates that the child is afraid that his preferences may cause others to question how he has learned his own role and what gender means.
During puberty, boys, trying to show masculinity, show interest in sports, show strength and determination, and actively demonstrate interest in issues of sex and the opposite sex. If this is not noticed in a young man, then he becomes an object of ridicule. At this time, girls notice that their “weakness” and “helplessness” attracts the attention of guys who try to show strength and act as a patron and protector. Teenagers emphasize their own gender qualities.
The opinion of adults loses its authority for teenagers. During puberty, they are guided by gender stereotypes accepted in society and massively promoted in culture. Girls can choose a successful, strong and independent woman as their ideal. Male dominance in matters of family and love is less and less perceived as the norm. Heterosexual normativity, that is, the acceptability of attraction to members of the opposite sex, is called into question. Non-standard gender self-identification is becoming more and more understood: teenagers and young people today are more liberal in sexual and interpersonal relationships.
Determining what a gender characteristic is and the formation of one’s own identification is the result of a combination of natural inclinations, characteristics of a person and the surrounding society. A child whose parents provide all possible assistance in revealing his individuality, without imposing their own stereotypes, in adolescence and beyond does not face problems associated with communicating with the opposite sex and accepting his own.
Society's perception of different genders.
People who are gender diverse or who do not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth may experience a variety of stressful situations that contribute to an increased risk of mental health problems, such as:
- depression,
- self harm,
- suicidal thoughts.
However, it is important to note that gender diversity does not in itself cause mental health problems.
Here are some everyday experiences that can increase a person's vulnerability to developing mental disorders:
- feeling different from the people around you,
- bullying due to gender identity,
- Feeling pressure to reject your feelings about your gender identity
- fear or anxiety that your gender identity will be accepted by those close to you, along with the chance of being rejected or isolated,
- feeling of loneliness or misunderstanding from loved ones,
- feeling stressed and anxious about the pressure to conform to your biological sex.
This pressure can be very stressful, especially when combined with other issues in your life such as school, finding a job, forming relationships and figuring out who you are, finding your place in the world.
It is important to share your thoughts with other people who are going through the same thing as you, and also to contact specialized organizations that can support you.
