Gender

Definition:

Gender, also known as grammatical gender, is a system of noun classification found in many languages, where nouns are categorized, often arbitrarily, as masculine, feminine, neuter, or other genders. This classification affects the form of other words related to the noun, such as adjectives, pronouns, and verbs.

Etymology:

The term “gender” comes from the Latin “genus,” meaning “kind” or “type.” It was used in grammar to classify nouns and pronouns by sex or animacy. The use of grammatical gender dates back to ancient languages and has evolved over time.

Description:

Grammatical gender systems vary widely among languages. Some languages have two genders (masculine and feminine), others have three (masculine, feminine, and neuter), and some have more or none.

English does not have grammatical gender for nouns, but uses gendered pronouns: “he,” “she,” and “it,” and some remnants of gender can be seen in certain words like actor/actress or in ships and countries sometimes being referred to as “she.” However when it comes to symbolism, gender classification of shapes are universal.

Examples of Grammatical Gender in Different Languages:

  • French:
    • Masculine: “Le garçon” – “the boy.”
    • Feminine: “La fille” – “the girl.”
  • German:
    • Masculine: “Der Hund” – “the dog.”
    • Feminine: “Die Katze” – “the cat.”
    • Neuter: “Das Kind” – “the child”.
  • Norwegian:
    • Masculine: “En gutt (gutten) – “a boy (the boy).”
    • Feminine: “Ei jente (jenta/jenten) – “a girl (the girl).”
    • Neuter: “Et menneske (mennesket) – “a human (the human).”
  • Spanish:
    • Masculine: “El libro” – “the book.”
    • Feminine: “La mesa” – “the table.”

Gender vs. Sex:

When it comes to labeling humans by gender, though the word “gender” mimics the word “sex,” they are not the same. Sex is a biological term of identity, while gender is a fictional term of identity.

Many people, especially those who are heavily religious, struggle with understanding the concept of sex and gender. This confusion affects both sides of the left vs. right gender debate: those who believe strongly that there are only two genders and those who believe strongly that there are many genders. The problem lies in language.

Sex is either male (XY chromosomes) or female (XX chromosomes), based on chromosomes, gonads (testes or ovaries), and primary sex organs. Males typically have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. The presence of the Y chromosome, particularly the SRY gene on it, initiates the development of male characteristics. Females typically have two X chromosomes, and the absence of a Y chromosome leads to the development of female characteristics.

Chromosomes are structures within cells that contain DNA, carrying the genetic information necessary for the growth, development, and functioning of an organism. Chromosomes are long, thread-like structures made of DNA and proteins, located in the nucleus of each cell. Each chromosome consists of a single, continuous molecule of DNA coiled around histone proteins, forming a complex called chromatin. Humans typically have 46 chromosomes, arranged in 23 pairs. Each parent contributes one chromosome to each pair. Of the 23 pairs, 22 pairs are autosomes (non-sex chromosomes), and 1 pair consists of sex chromosomes.

When referring to XY and XX chromosomes, we are specifically talking about sex chromosomes, not all chromosomes in the body. The development of reproductive systems is heavily influenced by sex chromosomes and primarily driven by the hormones these chromosomes regulate. So, when someone has a combination of XX and XY chromosomes, they can’t be categorized as 100% male or 100% female. If they have both XX and XY chromosomes, they would fall somewhere on a spectrum between 100% male and 100% female. This condition is very rare. Some people have different sets of chromosomes, placing them outside of this spectrum, often categorized under intersex conditions:

  • Klinefelter Syndrome (XXY): Individuals that have an extra X chromosome (XXY). They are typically male but may have some female characteristics due to the extra X chromosome. Klinefelter syndrome is one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities in males, occurring in approximately 1 in 500 to 1 in 1,000 male births.
  • Turner Syndrome (X0): Individuals that typically have only one X chromosome (X0). They are female but may have developmental differences due to the missing X chromosome. Turner syndrome occurs in approximately 1 in 2,500 live female births.
  • Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS): Individuals with an XY chromosomal pattern that develop female characteristics because their bodies cannot respond to androgens (male hormones). They are genetically male but phenotypically female. AIS is estimated to occur in approximately 1 in 20,000 to 1 in 64,000 live male births.
  • XX Male Syndrome: Individuals that have an XX chromosomal pattern but develop male characteristics due to the presence of the SRY gene on one of the X chromosomes. XX male syndrome is rare, occurring in approximately 1 in 20,000 to 1 in 25,000 male births.

Even without actual evidence to demonstrate if these conditions exist or not, it is absurd how popular it is on the right to claim that these people do not exist. However, it is also absurd for people on both sides who believe that they are the opposite sex than they obviously are. You are either male, female, intersex, or a hermaphrodite. Male and female are sexes; intersex means having atypical sex characteristics, and hermaphrodite refers to having both male and female sex characteristics. Genders, compared to sexes, are fictional concepts, which is why there is no universally agreed-upon number of recognized genders. It is common to see lists that include 50 or more different gender identities. Since gender is fictional, you can identify as as many as you want and change them as often as you want. It doesn’t change biological facts. Gender roles are fictional, so there is no more harm in a male identifying as a female, or a female identifying as a male, than a male identifying as a male or a female identifying as a female. The must absurd thing of it all is that the left and right fight each other over the amount of words they don’t understand.

Symbolism:

Symbols are classified according to gender based on their shape and whether the object can contain something inside it or belong inside something else. For example, a pencil sharpener is a feminine symbol since it can hold pencil shavings, graphite dust, and the pencil, while a pencil is a masculine symbol since it cannot hold anything inside it but can be put inside the pencil sharpener. Some objects can be both hollow and belong inside something else, for example, Russian dolls. These can be considered both masculine and feminine. When a symbol is more abstract or lacks a specific shape, it can be considered neuter.

When adding together a feminine symbol and a masculine symbol, such as a pencil in a pencil sharpener, it is called a sex symbol.

Religion:

The classification of words or symbols according to gender is more commonly addressed in linguistic and cultural contexts rather than explicitly in religious texts. However, religious texts and traditions often use gendered language and symbols, which can indirectly reflect a classification according to gender. Many religious texts were written in times when societies were very predominantly patriarchal, leading to a significant focus on gender roles in religious language and symbolism, such as referring to priests as “he” and nuns as “she.” Many denominations have since then tried to update some of their language and symbolism.

The God of Abraham is classified as masculine in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, using pronouns (“He,” “Him”) and titles (e.g., “Father”). However, in Islam it is emphasized that God is beyond human gender, while in Christianity, God is both the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, meaning God encompasses multiple aspects, which some may interpret as gender fluid.

In Hinduism there are both male and female deities, with specific roles and attributes associated with each. For example, Vishnu (male) and Lakshmi (female), Shiva (male) and Parvati (female).

Examples of Gendered Symbols in Religion:

  • In Christianity:
    • The Christian cross is considered a masculine symbol due to its upright, phallic form.
    • The Circle (halo) is viewed as a feminine symbol due to its encompassing, nurturing form.
    • The Virgin Mary is a significant feminine symbol and represented by the crescent moon.
  • In Hinduism:
    • The lingam (phallic symbol) represents Shiva and is paired with the yoni (vulva symbol), representing Shakti.
    • The Lotus flower is a feminine symbol, associated with goddesses like Lakshmi and Saraswati, representing purity, beauty, and fertility.