Gender Fluidity

Varying perspectives on what it means to be a

male or female
 Definitions
 SEX – biological maleness or femaleness

genetic – determined by chromosomes

anatomical – obvious physical differences
between males and females
 Gender – psychological aspects of maleness or
femaleness

 Gender Identity – the subjective sense of being either

male or female

 What sex you think you are, or really should be.

 Gender Role – attitudes and behaviors considered
appropriate in a specific culture for people of a particular
sex
 Expectations we should fulfill
 Masculine or Feminine
 Vary widely from culture to culture but rapidly
evolving
 Forming a Gender Identity

 For all of us, it all starts in our mother’s womb,

at the instant of conception, as prenatally we
begin the tortuous path of sexual differentiation.
 Transgendered (TG) – people whose appearance
and/or behaviors do not match traditional
gender roles.

 TGs behave in a way that flouts society’s

expectations. Often, they cross-dress.

 TGs do not seek sexual reassignment – surgery.

 Gender-Role Assumptions
 Women as undersexed, mean as over
women have been told that they should not
desire or enjoy sex
men should pursue every chance
unfairly limits both