Gender identity is all about the personal definition of one's gender - whether they identify as male, female, both, or even neither. It is closely related (though not identical to) gender role, which is the outward expression of what gender identity someone relates to. This self image is usually established in youth, before age 5, and is difficult to shift after that. There are many aspects that affect one's concept of gender identity - among these are biological, social, and environmental factors.
Biological Factors
Men and women are born with specific and unique reproductive/sexual organs, each with its own hormonal releases, and they are further defined at puberty. Looking just from the outside, one can usually see if someone is biologically male or female. A female lacks a penis and has a vagina, while a male lacks a vagina but has a penis. These physical characteristics, however, are not always so clear cut - there are many individuals where the physically unique biology is either missing or underdeveloped, and therefore biology becomes less of a factor. There are also many cases of physical gender disorders, where biology may actually be at odds with itself. An example of this is an individual with the brain layout of a man, but the sexual organs of a woman.
Men and women are born with specific and unique reproductive/sexual organs, each with its own hormonal releases, and they are further defined at puberty. Looking just from the outside, one can usually see if someone is biologically male or female. A female lacks a penis and has a vagina, while a male lacks a vagina but has a penis. These physical characteristics, however, are not always so clear cut - there are many individuals where the physically unique biology is either missing or underdeveloped, and therefore biology becomes less of a factor. There are also many cases of physical gender disorders, where biology may actually be at odds with itself. An example of this is an individual with the brain layout of a man, but the sexual organs of a woman.
Even those who change their outward biological makeup, however, will not be able to shift their entire gender identity. Many have gotten surgeries to outwardly match a certain sex, but behavioral patterns and thinking might go unchanged without additional factors being considered. Thus, the biological factors are only one factor, though an important one.
Social and Environmental Factors
There have been many arguments about how much social and environmental factors contribute to an individual's gender identity, and it is a hotly debated issue to this day. This included who one's parents were, how they raised the child, and what sort of social environment and culture the child grew up in. Many claim that, due to the way they were raised, they were led to adopt or avoid certain behaviors and avoid or adopt social-based gender stereotypes. Indeed, there is a huge correlation between social and environmental factors and gender identity - children are apt to mimic role-models as they grow, and thus mimic the system of beliefs and behavior that their parents have. This is not always the case, but frequently so. Again we see a factor, but this factor alone cannot account for all of an individual's gender perception, and eventual gender identity.
There have been many arguments about how much social and environmental factors contribute to an individual's gender identity, and it is a hotly debated issue to this day. This included who one's parents were, how they raised the child, and what sort of social environment and culture the child grew up in. Many claim that, due to the way they were raised, they were led to adopt or avoid certain behaviors and avoid or adopt social-based gender stereotypes. Indeed, there is a huge correlation between social and environmental factors and gender identity - children are apt to mimic role-models as they grow, and thus mimic the system of beliefs and behavior that their parents have. This is not always the case, but frequently so. Again we see a factor, but this factor alone cannot account for all of an individual's gender perception, and eventual gender identity.
Nature vs. Nurture Debate
Debates rage on about which more is prevailing in a child's rearing, their natural born traits, or the social and environmental factors they are raised with. The "nurture" crowd believes that everything is learned after birth, and next to nothing about gender is instilled until after birth. The "nature" crowd, of course, believes the opposite - that nothing about gender is learned, and it is all included in one's biology. As time goes on, scientists have proven that both extremes are incorrect, and that both "nature" and "nurture" have influences on one's gender identity. Unfortunately, this does not stop laymen and experts alike from arguing about which has a greater influence. Currently there is no way to definitively prove which might have a greater weight, and many conjecture that it depends upon each individual's personal experience. The Psychological Bulletin, a recognized scholarly publishing, explained that, "Although there may be discrepancies as to which factor plays the most important role, there is extensive agreement that a combination of many different views and perspectives are needed for a complete understanding of gender development."
Debates rage on about which more is prevailing in a child's rearing, their natural born traits, or the social and environmental factors they are raised with. The "nurture" crowd believes that everything is learned after birth, and next to nothing about gender is instilled until after birth. The "nature" crowd, of course, believes the opposite - that nothing about gender is learned, and it is all included in one's biology. As time goes on, scientists have proven that both extremes are incorrect, and that both "nature" and "nurture" have influences on one's gender identity. Unfortunately, this does not stop laymen and experts alike from arguing about which has a greater influence. Currently there is no way to definitively prove which might have a greater weight, and many conjecture that it depends upon each individual's personal experience. The Psychological Bulletin, a recognized scholarly publishing, explained that, "Although there may be discrepancies as to which factor plays the most important role, there is extensive agreement that a combination of many different views and perspectives are needed for a complete understanding of gender development."
Western Society and Gender Identity
In the Western world, there is little straying from two central gender ideas - masculinity and femininity. While the terms masculine and feminine may not necessarily apply to their allotted gender (a woman can have masculine tendencies and a man can have feminine tendencies) it is pressed upon by societal norms that those of a particular sex conform to the aspect that "matches" their biological gender, especially in western societies. Other societies also have a strong stance on staying within assigned gender roles, but western society has different gender rules than other cultures.
In the Western world, there is little straying from two central gender ideas - masculinity and femininity. While the terms masculine and feminine may not necessarily apply to their allotted gender (a woman can have masculine tendencies and a man can have feminine tendencies) it is pressed upon by societal norms that those of a particular sex conform to the aspect that "matches" their biological gender, especially in western societies. Other societies also have a strong stance on staying within assigned gender roles, but western society has different gender rules than other cultures.
The rules of these gender roles were not always the same, and have shifted over the years. For example, before the Suffrage movement, it was outlawed for women to wear pants. Anti-suffragette fliers frequently proclaimed, "What will men wear when women wear pants?" Another example is the pink for girls vs. blue for boys rule. For example, a June 1918 article from the trade said, "The generally accepted rule is pink for the boys, and blue for the girls. The reason is that pink, being a more decided and stronger color, is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl." This did not shift until the 1940's where the colors were switched. Cultural gender roles (and the rules therein) are subject to shifting... but the social aspect within any given culture demands that these roles be filled and obeyed. Not everyone, of course, will conform to the specific roles.
Gender Identity Disorders and Conditions
Since gender identity is based upon so many factors, it is only natural that there are disorders and conditions that afflict some people. Many of the afflictions deal with the layout of the brain, or hormonal imbalances and irregularities.
Since gender identity is based upon so many factors, it is only natural that there are disorders and conditions that afflict some people. Many of the afflictions deal with the layout of the brain, or hormonal imbalances and irregularities.
The most common is coined gender identity disorder (GID) - it is characterized by a feeling of disconnection with their assigned gender role. It is still on the table as to whether or not GID is a disorder or a condition, as doctor's claim it can be cured with medical treatment in some cases. Many transgendered people are afflicted with GID, and there has been much research on the physical structure of transgendered individuals with the disorder. Examining their physical brain structure has often shown that their minds will physically resemble those of the gender with which they identify.
So, here we are again, debating this that and the other thing. But nature is what it is. Trying to 'correct' nature is trying to correct where a person thinks 'God' has gone wrong. Because if 'God' had intended us all to be the same, shouldn't all our compasses be pointing in the same direction? What I mean is, even from birth, shouldn't all our compasses be pointing in the same direction? Even without influence, shouldn't the 'God Gene' tell us we should all be 'straight'?
You are who you are. You came into this world as a unique individual. Humankind shares many similarities, but a person's journey, whether it is spiritual or otherwise, is as unique as our DNA. Every person on this planet has the right to exist. It's a basic human right. You are who you are and your life should never be in danger because of that.
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