Home
In common English usage, 'gender' is often used to mean 'sex' - almost like a euphemism for people who want to avoid using the 's' word. I am not criticising those who do this - as I said - it is common usage, and it is not wrong since dictionaries acknowledge the use. It is understandable that people have a reluctance to use the 's' word in some contexts. I remember once using the word 'sex' for the meaning of 'male or female' when talking with some children, and the adults in the room stopped what they were doing and looked at me with shocked expressions as if I'd said something really really inappropriate!
The specific meaning of 'gender' is more to do with masculinity and femininity rather than male and female. Some of gender has to do with biology, but much of it is socially constructed. And while I have written in Tikva's feminism thread that I think that there are more than just physical differences between males and females in general, I do see some advantages (as well as disadvantages like the situation described above) of using the word 'sex' when meaning 'male or female'. One advantage is that it acknowledges the validity of people who don't fit all the masculine or feminine stereotypes.
Thoughts?
The specific meaning of 'gender' is more to do with masculinity and femininity rather than male and female. Some of gender has to do with biology, but much of it is socially constructed. And while I have written in Tikva's feminism thread that I think that there are more than just physical differences between males and females in general, I do see some advantages (as well as disadvantages like the situation described above) of using the word 'sex' when meaning 'male or female'. One advantage is that it acknowledges the validity of people who don't fit all the masculine or feminine stereotypes.
Thoughts?
