Download What Is Gender

What Is Gender?
The concept of "gender" has not been well defined and is not well
understood. The definition of gender has even been the subject of exhaustive
debate, including at a special United Nations session in connection with the Fourth
World Conference on Women in Beijing.
Gender is often confused with sex. However, sex generally refers to
biology and anatomy. People are said to be of the male sex or the female sex,
as determined by three sets of characteristics: external sex organs, internal
sex organs, and secondary sexual development at puberty. The word sex is also
used to mean sexual intercourse or activity.
By contrast, gender refers to a set of qualities and behaviors expected from
a female or male by society. Gender roles are learned and can be affected by
factors such as education or economics. They vary widely within and among cultures.
While an individual's sex does not change, gender roles are socially determined and
can evolve over time.
Gender roles and expectations are often identified as factors hindering the
equal rights and status of women with adverse consequences that affect life,
family, socioeconomic status, and health. For this reason, gender, like sexuality, is
an important element of family planning and reproductive health services.
FROM: http://www.engenderhealth.org/wh/sg/egwhat.html
What is sexuality?
Sexuality is a complex aspect of our personality and 'self'. Our sexuality is
defined by sexual thoughts, desires and longings, erotic fantasies, turn-ons and
experiences. In many ways sexuality is the force that empowers us to express and
display strong, emotional feelings for another person and is a natural stimulus for
the procreation of our species. The 'thing' that attracts one person to another may
not always be sexual - it could be sense of humor, personality, 'likeability',
compatibility, or intelligence. Sex or sexuality may only be a secondary
consideration. Sometimes, part of our sexuality can be suppressed - some people
have sexual desires about particular friends or associates, but don't act on or talk
about those desires. Others have general sexual desires or fantasies about people
of their own sex (that is, same sex), but don't explore or discuss those thoughts
and feelings.
Sexuality and prejudice
Until recently, society's intolerance towards anyone who was not of the
sexual 'norm', caused many people to repress their real sexuality. That is, many who
knew and felt strongly they were gay remained 'in the closet' so as not to come up
against prejudice, 'anti-gay' sentiments, discrimination and even violence. Various
prejudices - against race, colour, religion, sex and sexual orientation - have
softened over the last 20 years. However, some people (and governments) have
remained hard-line and continue to discriminate against particular people for
various reasons. No one has yet discovered positively the cause or causes of a
person's sexuality - whether it be heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual.
Sexuality is complex
Not all aspects of sexual behavior conform to simple labels. You could
consider sexuality like a fruit salad or smorgasbord - there are lots of flavors,
different ingredients, a variety of tastes and appearances. One man might label
himself straight, be turned on by women and not by men, but may enjoy wearing
women's clothes and might also enjoy his female partner stimulating him anally with
a dildo. Most of those men who consider themselves gay have no interest in wearing
women's clothes. Some gay and straight men do enjoy wearing women's clothes.
Some lesbian women appear 'masculine', many others appear 'feminine'. Some men
who are considered 'effeminate' are straight, others are not. Some men who look
tough and 'manly' are gay, others are not. Some women enjoy sleeping with men or
women or both sexes, as do some men.
Sexuality: what am I?
Many people have occasional erotic feelings for or dreams about people of
the same sex - but their general disposition may be heterosexual. These occasional
homosexual feelings may not affect their relationship with a partner of the
opposite sex.
Sometimes - because of pressure from our peers or society in general sexual desires and feelings will be suppressed as we try to will ourselves to have
other, 'normal' or more accepted sexual feelings. For many, these suppressed
feelings can cause pressures that become problematic - forcing some to avoid any
sexual encounters, or to lie to a partner (and themselves). Suppressed feelings can
lead to anonymous sexual relations with a person of the same sex while maintaining
a relationship with someone of the opposite sex.
What is sexual orientation? Sexual orientation is determined by the sex or sexes
you are romantically, physically, emotionally, and sexually attracted to.
Heterosexuals are individuals attracted to the opposite sex, homosexuals are
individuals who are attracted to the same sex, while bisexuals are people who are
attracted to both sexes. Homosexual men are usually referred to as gay while
homosexual women are referred to as lesbians.