Sex and Gender

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how sex and gender are really two very different things, as the topic of transsexuals shows. It contends that simply because a person is born one sex or another does not guarantee he/she is the "right" gender for his/her biological needs and wants, which is why so many people choose to change their sex through artificial and surgical means. The paper argues that gender is basically about reproduction and biology, while sex and identity are all about society and what society believes about men and women.

From the Paper:

"In her book "Self-Made Man," author Norah Vincent writes, "Gender identity, it seems, is in the genes as surely as sex and identity are, but we don't know why the program deviates. Maybe a crossed wire somewhere, or the hormonal equivalent" (Vincent 6). I believe that gender is in the genes, and I also believe that gay and lesbian people are wired differently, not in a bad way, but in a different way that is biological and leads them in a less traditional lifestyle that is not accepted by society. Gender is essential for procreation and life, but the social norm of gender is not essential, it is simply a construct society has created regarding "men" versus "women" and all that means. Gender is basically about reproduction and biology, while sex and identity are all about society and what society believes about men and women."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Transamerica. Dir. Duncan Tucker. Perf. Felicity Huffman, Kevin Zegers. The Weinstein Company, 2005.
• Vincent, Norah. Self-Made Man: One Woman's Journey Into Manhood and Back. New York, Penguin, 2006.

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• Article Review # 117482 : "Variations on Sex and Gender"
• Analytical Essay # 9881 : "The Sociology of Sex and Gender"

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