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