W13.2 May 31(Fri) Kim da young

summary

Sociologists further distinguish between cis sex/gender and trans sex/gender.  Cis sex/gender people are people who conform to existing notions of sex and gender within a given social, historical, cultural, political, and scientific context. For example, cissex men are assigned male at birth (depending on interpretation of biological data) and strive to remain male throughout their lives. Likewise, cisgender men are assigned male at birth (according to interpretations of biological data) and seek to learn and display symbols, codes, and cues to be interpreted (according to society's existing gender norms). himself and others) first as a boy and later as a man. Therefore, he will follow the script set for men in his social world. Transgender/gendered people are people who do not conform to established concepts of sex and gender within a given social, historical, cultural, political, or scientific context. For example, transgender men (sometimes referred to as female-to-male transsexuals) are assigned female at birth (based on interpretation of their biological material) but strive to become male. Training, herbal concoctions and/or surgery – for a lifetime. Likewise, transgender men (sometimes this person may be transsexual, other times they have no desire to transition gender categories) are assigned female at birth (depending on interpretation of biological data), but learn and strive to learn. She has signs that allow her to be interpreted (by herself and others) first as a boy, later as a man, sometimes as a boy/man, and sometimes as a girl/woman (based on the existing gender norms of that society). , displays codes and clues. . In some societies and historical eras, transgender/gender people are accepted, celebrated, and affirmed, but in other societies and historical eras, they face constant scrutiny, harassment, and discrimination, often supported by scientific and religious institutions.

Interesting point

The scientific community (especially since the late 1800s) has divided many species of living things into two mutually reinforcing categories based on dominant interpretations (politically, religiously, and scientifically established) of genetic material, reproductive capacity, and genital composition. . Typically, these classification systems promoted the idea of ​​two genders: “male” and “female.” Within these systems, females are defined as the sex that produces larger gametes (i.e. gametes) and produce offspring. Therefore, these plans are built to match the reproductive functions an individual may perform throughout the life cycle. To establish this system, scientists simplified the empirical reality of human biology by formulating types of sex chromosomes, denoted X and Y. Within this type, they assigned two X chromosomes to females and one XY chromosome to males. In fact, this socially constructed typology is so well established that most people interpret and perceive “sex” as a binary state.

However, as previously noted, human biology is much more complex than this typology allows, and as a result there are many genetic variations that are excluded from this classification system ( here's an article on intersex and an account of intersex experiences See the quote earlier in this text). Moreover, most people do not undergo genetic testing at birth, and the criteria for distinguishing between men and women are not uniform across social, situational, and historical contexts. Typically, a doctor determines the child's sex, and the child is listed as such, regardless of genetic testing or other biological criteria. For example, most clinical studies and discussions on the topic suggest that men have a urethra at the end of the penis, while women have a urethra in the perineum. Despite the fact that only a small proportion of these births are classified as intersex, similar observations have been made regarding the positioning between the penis and the perineum, with distinctions based on genital size, gamete size, chromosomal composition, and other biological indicators. Socially constructed dichotomies (e.g., male vs. female) reflect the capitalist hierarchy inherent in many post-industrial societies, but in reality they do not correspond to people's biological realities, leading sociologists to determine what role "distinct, binary gender myths" play. Let's investigate. ” influences social patterns and structures.

Points to discuss

Why is gender a socially constructed interpretation of human behavior patterns?