A Reflection of Biology of Gender: Promoting Awareness and Inclusion

I entered this class eager to learn about gender in culture. I’ve always been supportive of people fully committing to themselves 100% of the time. I had been exposed to much of the LGBTQ+ community through my background in theatre before coming to VMI this past year. Until the end of senior year, I was on track to be studying acting in New York City or Boston, but decided VMI would provide me a unique experience that would build the most and best character over the next few years. Because I was so involved in theatre within my school and community, I was introduced around my time in middle school to individuals who commit to being themselves 100% of the time, and many of these people have been my best friends since. Through my friendship with them, I have learned to fully embrace myself as a way to encourage others to do the same. As a straight, little white girl, I’ve felt it’s sometimes hard to actually have a voice that’s heard in these discussions, but with every day I try to get to know myself and others better to create an inclusive community for all.

After the first class, I had learned the differences and definitions of gender and sex; previously, I had thought the words were merely interchangeable. The class discussion taught me an individual’s sex had to do with one’s biological and reproductive organs, chemical balances, hormones, and sex chromosomes. The term gender refers to how an individual identifies themselves and how social constructs shape him or her – it’s more than anatomy. Gender identity and gender expression were also topics mentioned in this class discussion. Gender identity refers to how an individual perceives themselves. Gender expression is physical; it’s what the public can see. Gender identity is private, and reaches beyond visibility. Terminology is important; it’s difficult but important. Sex and gender, along with gender identity and expression, have been terms I have previously used interchangeably, and often at that. Now that I’m aware of the differences, I will promote awareness among others as well (Artifact 1).

Also addressed in Artifact 1 was gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria was formally referred to as a gender disorder. There is no such thing as a gender disorder. Gender dysphoria should not be treated as a disease. It is important to promote awareness of correct terminology, especially with gender grammar and gender pronouns. I believe in promoting a community in which both sides of the spectrum are involved with both educating and being educated. This endorses an understanding from both “victims” and the “accused,” even though ideally there really is no victim or accused individual. All people should be encouraged to be themselves: who they truly what to be, without the worry of judgment from others (Artifact 1).

Further in this course, we discussed the third gender and the meaning behind it. Individuals can now identify as neither man nor woman, making them the third gender. The gender binary refers to two distinct, separate sexes, the male and female, and the specific expectations, social constructs, and stereotypes of the two. In societies today all over the world, gender norms are constantly being expanded as people have realized how constraining they have become to the progression and advancement of individuals, civilizations, and nations. In history, the third gender has often been neglected and not accepted. Lives of sex trade and prostitution have been a popular, unsafe path for many third gender individuals who have been kicked out of their homes as a result of not being accepted. We studied different cultures, and the role of the third gender as they have become more accepted. For example, in India, the ancient transgender community of Hijra are viewed highly in the culture and are associated with gods and deities (Artifact 4).

In this course, we also studied how different genders affect individual roles in different societies (Artifact 2). The Global Gender Gap (Artifact 3) as well as the Gender Health Gap (Artifact 5) also help play a major role in how individuals can contribute to society because of differences among the genders and among different parts of the world. The Global Gender Gap refers to the measure of gender equality in different nations. According to the Global Gender Gap Report of 2015, the United States ranks number 28 out of 145 countries, and is ranked number 33 by Save the Children for best/worst countries to be a mother. Countries in the top ten of these lists are mostly European, while countries in the bottom ten are developing, third world countries in Africa. The responsibilities of men and women in Africa are far different than those of individuals in Europe and the United States (Artifact 3).

The gender health gap, though it has been greatly reduced over recent years, is still prevalent in affecting equal opportunity for all individuals and genders. In history, women were often overlooked for many research studies, both medical and nonmedical, unless the study directly or only applied to them. The biological differences between men and women should not lead to an excuse for inequality and unfair treatment. These differences should be taken into account when making steps towards offering equal playing fields for all individuals. The most important thing to take from this, and many of the lessons we stumble upon everyday, is the significance of awareness (Artifact 5).

Whether man, woman, or third gender, all individuals are created differently. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, whether it’s what we were born with or what we’ve worked hard to achieve. We should all have control over our own bodies, have the ability to choose the paths we want most in our lives, and have the voice to help make our world a better, more accepting, inclusive place. This course provided me, and my classmates, with a foundation that has educated us to both be aware and promote awareness.

The step that defines girls becoming women in many cultures world wide is menarche. Reactions differ worldwide. Some cultures celebrate a girl entering these early stages of adulthood; other cultures completely shame the young women, viewing them as unholy and unclean during this time of the month. Negative views with menstruation come along with the suppression of female’s sexuality. We can work to develop a more positive view of menstruation by embracing sexuality and encouraging more discussion on the topic of menstruation, periods, and how women can advance in life safely.

In places like Africa and India, feminine products and menstrual supplies are limited or absent from society. As a female, I could not imagine life without tampons. Females in these cultures are often shunned for a week, kept away from men, and sometimes forbidden to eat or drink certain products. The Jewish Orthodox religion has rules about marriage and menstruation. Some of these rules include sleeping on separate beds, no physical contact for two weeks. When these rules were made, it is explained that the Torah was trying to attempt women, as no knowledge about hygiene or health was yet known. While some may view these practices as oppressive, some find it empowering and strengthening to a relationship. One woman describes, “the most corny things become meaningful,” as man and woman are not even allowed to directly pass objects to each other. It is also the woman’s duty to cleanse herself after the sunsets at the end of her cycle.

Worldwide, many women have different feelings towards their menstrual cycles. Some fear it or are ashamed to talk about the natural process. Many women are delighted when the flow comes, as it means they are not pregnant. Many just find it annoying and tedious: it’s a lot to take care of physically and women are often pissy or unusually sad for a week or so.

Reflective tag: Periods are natural. People, men and women alike, should not be afraid of the process or afraid of the conversations of them. While they’re annoying and tedious, they’re essential for life. Different cultures and societies have different practices regarding a woman’s time of the month, but one of the most important parts is the safety of women during this time in regards to hygiene and care for their cycles.

This movie addresses the issue of women controlling their own bodies. Specific issues include gender-based violence, sex trafficking, education, maternal mortality, intergenerational prostitution, and economic opportunities. In countries such as Sierra Leone, not even 1% of individuals involved with gender-based violence have been convicted. 90% of Sierra Leone’s population have an STD, and while war in the country ended in 2002, women are still raped, 26% of which are under 12 years old. Sex trafficking is also a problem. This is a problem in Cambodia. Activists are working to not only stop sex trafficking but also to educate but men and women on safer sex and contraceptives.

Maternal mortality is also a huge problem in today’s world. For example, Somaliland has one of the highest mortality rates. One in every twelve women die in childbirth. Most women are expected to have eight to ten babies in their lifetime. Children are circumcised between the ages of five and eight. Intergenerational prostitution in India is also a huge problem. Of the 300 million individuals subjected to intergenerational prostitution, 1.2 million of them are children. The average age that young girls become involved in prostitution is between 9 to 13 years old. Many of the “brokers” kill their victims. A way work to solve or make steps towards stopping prostitution in India is to make attendance to public school mandatory.

Female circumcision involves the cutting, alteration or mutilation of female genitals. There are many different types of female circumcision. Type I involves partial or total removal of the clitoris. Type II involves partial of total removal of the labia minora, along with removal of the clitoris. Type III involves the sewing together of the labia majora in order to cover both the urethra and vagina, removal of the labia minora, and removal of the clitoris. Type III is also called infibulation or pharaonic circumcision and has been outlawed in many countries. Many justify this process in saying that it encourages better hygiene, preserves virginity and protects against unwanted pregnancies, and upholds family honor and faithfulness. Origins of this practice are both religious and cultural.

Many complications and side effects come along side with this practice. Scarring and pregnancy and childbirth problems are some of the many. However, a girl who did not have her clitoris removed was considered unlucky and fatal to both her family and lover. Educating cultures about the negatives affects and consequences of female circumcision has been tried, but the subject is still extremely controversial in many communities and cultures, especially in countries like Somalia, Sudan, Mali, Guinea, and Egypt.

Male circumcision involves the removal of the foreskin. In some places in African and Australia, it is considered a right of passage, and it is also a common practice among certain religions such as Judaism and Islam. According to WHO about 33% of the world’s males are circumcised. Circumcision has no effect on sex and risks are rare; the practice can reduce prostate cancer, UTIs, STDs, and can reduce the risk of HIV. Male circumcision can be performed both by surgical and nonsurgical processes. A nonsurgical method would take about a week to complete. Controversies over this subject include the ideas that the baby himself should choose, at a more mature age, and that foreskin is not a birth defect.

Reflective Tag: Circumcision for males and females is very different. For males, a lot of benefits can be found; it can protect from STDs and help reduce the chances of getting other STDs, UTIs, and even prostate cancer. Female circumcision is a bit more extreme, and tends to aim for this idea of preservation and purity. Overall, I believe whosever body it is should have the choice to do what they want with it. Knowing that all cultures see things through a different lens, it is my hope that the world is continually educated on circumcision and its effects, both positive and negative.

The Global Gender Gap refers to the measure of gender equality in different nations. The United States ranks number 28 on the Global Gender Gap index according to the Global Gender Gap Report 2015, out of 145 countries. Save the Children rates the best and worst countries to be a mother: Norway being number one, and Somalia being number 179. The United States ranks number 33 according to Save the Children in this area. Many of the countries in the top 10, excluding Australia, are European. All of the countries on the bottom ten’s list are developing, third world countries in Africa.

Availability and quality of health care could contribute to the wellbeing of women and the gender gaps within these societies. Health care, birth control, and contraceptives are easier to access in Europe, even in comparison to the United States. Political and religious issues cause disagreements on what should and should not be available for women in the United States, leaving us behind other countries such as Norway, Finland, and Iceland, the top three countries to be a mother. The U.S. could improve its ranking by improving health care for women.

The responsibilities of women in African cultures are far different than those of women in Europe and the United States. These responsibilities and expectations affect the lower ranking; the birth rate is also higher in African nations because of the lack of contraceptives and health care availability.

Reflective Tag: Countries with health care easily accessible for women have higher rankings. This is why the U.S. lags so far behind countries such as Spain, the Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, and Germany. Countries ranked on the bottom ten for worst countries to be a mother lack sufficient health care and place high levels of stress on mothers.

Artifact 2: The effect gender has on roles in traditional societies, and how traditions have changed

The traditional culture of Tonga, located in the Polynesian islands in the South Pacific, have functioned under patrilineal kinship and production modes including horticulture, fishing, and agriculture. Gender impacted the roles men and women could play in society. For the most part, women’s rights were undermined, especially after the culture began contact and trade with Europeans. Before interacting with the Europeans, men and women both had balance in the society, along with independence in sexuality, marriage, and divorce. All people were treated with respect and violence, rape was rare, and premarital sex was normal.

In this society, everything was based off of rank, and men as well as women could hold rank. Seniority, gender, and sisterhood were the three main principles that affected rank. A man would outrank a woman, but a sister and her family would outrank a brother and his family, even though the society was patrilineal. Women produced valuables that allowed them to have authority in social, economic, and political matters. The products manufactured by men were considered less valuable, and men also did the cooking, a job of low prestige.

The idea of sisterhood and rights for women were held high in the Tonga society. The rights of a sister, known as Fahu, allowed for women to have great authority within the family and culture. However, these rights were legally banned after contact with Europeans. Women soon became the farmers and the cooks when their manufactured products were no longer needed when products were imported from the outside. There was a shift of dependence for wives onto their husbands, men received all rights of land, women could no longer inherit chiefly titles, and premarital sex became punishable by law.

In comparison to the patrilineal society of Tonga, the Mosuo of China lived through a true matrilineal culture, meaning descent was traced through females rather than males. Women were valued more as more capable in all aspects. Traditionally, sex was kept separate from the household. In tiesese, also referred to as a “walking marriage” women would be visited by men to satisfy reproduction and desire needs. While children would typically know their birth father, their uncle on their mom’s side would act as their prominent father figure. Several generations of a family filled a house, as sons would stay with mothers.

The Mosuo of China, like the Tonga, has been changed by the influence of modern times. Tiesese’s popularity has decreased, as marriage and love has become more appealing. These traditional structure of this culture has survived for hundreds of years, but has relied on the lack of moving around. With people traveling for jobs and money and marrying outside of the culture, the Mosuo of China have to adapt to the present in order to keep as much of their culture alive as they can.

Reflective Tag: Men and women typically have different roles in society, with different expectations and purposes. It is interesting that as times become more recent, it seems, women have become more and more suppressed and undermined.

Artifact 1: Gender and Sex – Importance of Being Aware
Before the class discussion, I knew a little about the differences between sex and gender. I knew one was biologically assigned and one was influenced by culture and society, but I never felt like I could confidently match definitions and terms. After the class discussion, I had learned that one’s sex had to do with one’s biological and reproductive organs, chemical organs, hormones, and sex chromosomes. Gender relates to how one identifies themselves and how social constructs shape individuals; it’s more than just anatomy.

When discussing one’s gender, it is important to note that gender expression and gender identity or two different things. Gender identity refers to how individuals think of themselves in their own mind: their own perception of themselves. Gender expression relates to one’s external appearance. Gender expression is what everyone can see and what meets the eye; gender identity goes beyond that. It is important to recognize that sexual preference has nothing to do with gender identity. Gender identity revolves around who an individual is, not who the individual wants to be with.
Talking about gender with correct terminology is difficult. We often hear people describing those who are transgender as individuals who “want” or “choose” to be a sex different than the one that matches their biological reproductive organs. People also commonly misuse gender grammar and ignore proper gender pronouns. There is no such thing as a “gender disorder”; gender dysphoria, the politically correct term, should not be treated as a disease.

Education on subjects like these are so important in my opinion. The last thing I want to do is unintentionally offend someone, and I know I’m not alone on that. Being aware is key. The impact that “gender roles” have on society is ridiculous. I’ve always had a problem with labels. As a child, I enjoyed playing sports and hunting, hated dresses and dolls, but still considered myself a girl. People would ask me if I was a boy; I took it lightly and laughed with a “no.” It’s silly that these activities are associated with sexes and genders, living up to certain exceptions because of stereotypes. We shouldn’t feel like we need to associate with certain activities because of a label. People should do what interests them, and live without worrying about others judging them for being who they want to be.

Reflective Tag: A gender disorder does not exist. People should be able to be who they want to be without worry about the judgement of others. Awareness among communities everywhere is key.