The Construction of Gender
Traditionally, there were two mutually-exclusive genders, male and female and gender was ascribed according to a baby's genitals. Even obviously intersex babies were brought up within a narrow conception of a particular gender. Today, sociologists classify gender as a spectrum which may or may not correlate with one's sex (one's genitalia). Individuals can be located anywhere on the spectrum between male and female, or they can be gender-fluid, which means they move around on the spectrum. Comprehensive resources can be found at:
- The Gender Book [http://www.thegenderbook.com/] You can download the book at the site. If you have some spare money please consider donating as they have published the book online for free.
- Gender Spectrum [https://www.genderspectrum.org/] site is dedicated to helping teen who identify outside traditional binary representations of gender. Excellent definitions can be found on this page [https://www.genderspectrum.org/quick-links/understanding-gender/]
- Transcafe [http://www.trans.cafe/]
- The Gender Centre [http://www.gendercentre.org.au/] is a Sydeny-based organisation offering support for non-binary-identifying Australians
- Gender, Sexuality and your Teenage Patient [http://www.ruralhealthwest.com.au/docs/default-source/annual-conference-and-trade-exhibition-2016/julia-moore.pdf?sfvrsn=2], aimed at counsellors
Different attitudes to gender are expressed in the following resources
- Kuklin, S. (2015). Beyond magenta: Transgender teens speak out. [NF 306.76 KUK] is a series of interviews with non-conforming gender identities. the interviewees discuss both their identity and the impact this identity has had on their lives at home, school and work.
- The Guardian [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/23/gender-fluid-generation-young-people-male-female-trans]
- Tomboys and Sissies [http://www.smh.com.au/comment/bullying-out-of-place-in-gender-debate-20160228-gn6058.html]
The counter argument insists that "gender is anchored in an immutable reality" [http://www.spectator.co.uk/2016/01/its-dangerous-and-wrong-to-tell-all-children-theyre-gender-fluid/]. You can read these arguments at:
- The Daily Telegraph [http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/from-reason-to-radicalism-gender-fluidity/news-story/832eb330f1e68c0af8ab37521dc402d7]
- The Sydney Morning Herald [http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/parenting/the-subconscious-misogyny-of-unisex-baby-name-trends-20160119-gm9cay.html] questions why it's OK for girls to have bouys names and be raised as tomboys but boys can only fit into one masculine mould [
These articles reveal the less-obvious effect of increased dialogue about gender-fluidity - it's role in marketing:
- The Wrap [http://www.thewrap.com/jaden-smiths-adventures-in-gender-fluidity-what-it-means-who-profits/]
- Fastcode Design [http://www.fastcodesign.com/3056346/how-app-makers-are-pioneering-gender-fluid-design-for-kids]
- Gender Bender Branding [http://www.jewellermagazine.com/Article.aspx?id=5146&h=Gender-bender-branding-male%2C-female-or-both-&vc=3616]
- the conversation [https://theconversation.com/gender-fluidity-is-great-but-only-if-youre-famous-53178] question why only celbrities are praised for bending the rules of gender
Transteens: When human nature and law intersect [https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2016/may/1462024800/jenan-taylor/trans-teens] real stories about transgender people and the hoops they've gone through to recieve hormones and puberty-blockers.
How does this connect to Philosophy
In Philosophy, alot of the work on gender has, understandably, been undertaken by feminist philosophers. If you want to work specifically on Feminist Philosophy (including things like nature vs. nurture), see Ms Carmyn as she has lots of resources on this. Otherwise, overviews can be found at:
For a specifically transgender context, try Talia Betcher, a trans-philosopher [https://politicalphilosopher.net/2015/08/16/featured-philosop-her-talia-bettcher/] from California State University on transgender theory [http://www.academia.edu/2593161/Gender_identity_theory_and_action].
- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/feminism-gender/] which includes Sociology concepts like socialisation and normativity in coming to definitions of gender
For a specifically transgender context, try Talia Betcher, a trans-philosopher [https://politicalphilosopher.net/2015/08/16/featured-philosop-her-talia-bettcher/] from California State University on transgender theory [http://www.academia.edu/2593161/Gender_identity_theory_and_action].