Gender Constructs: Beyond Male & Female, a Contemporary Issue - Essay Sample

Introduction

Gender is a social construct. Traditionally, society accepted the non-trivial existence of two genders, and these are male and female. However, as Fausto-Sterling explains, there are at least five sexes, and these sexes are susceptible to discrimination, prejudice, rejection and isolation. Gender constructs are not an issue of the past but rather one that haunts the contemporary world as well. In 2016, President Donald Trump tweeted, explaining the need to ban transgender individuals from serving in the military (Philipps, 2019). The discussions, lawsuits and protests that followed this tweet proved the vast instabilities that gender faces within society.

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Transgender is a hybrid gender. As Fausto-Sterling (1993) explained, the five sexes are constructs forged from intersexuality which includes the true hermaphrodites who have male testes and one female ovary, as well as the female and male pseudohermaphrodites. With the advancement in technology, individuals formerly classified a transgender person can transition to a gender they identify with more. For example, female pseudohermaphrodites can fully become female through medical interventions. However, the decree by President Trump robbed servicemen and women this choice by stating that they should stick to their assigned biological sex. According to this policy, military personnel could identify as transgender, but choose uniforms, bathroom and sleeping facilities, as well as conform to pronouns that match with their assigned gender (Philipps, 2019). Those already under transitioning medication could not be affected, but for those who enlist for military service, yet they are transgender, they could not transition. The reasons cited included the medical costs from the procedures and the impact of the transitioning process on military preparedness.

This is the very issue that the article by Fausto-Sterling explores. One example provided by the article is the limitation that Levi Suydam faced in 1843 as s/he was vying for a political seat. During this time, women were not allowed to be political leaders, and therefore, his/her link to both sexes limited his legibility as a candidate. The policy created by the US president completely banned gender dysphoria, terming it as a severe mental disorder. Seeking gender identity thus becomes a malfunction

Gender, therefore, becomes a prison that bars people from exploring their choices in sexuality, their roles in society, effectiveness as employees and many other aspects of life. As a result, numerous aspect the lives of human beings are dictated by this construct, ranging from gender roles, intimate relationships, dress codes and many other elements.

References

Fausto-Sterling A. (1993). The Five Sexes: Why male and female are not enough. The sciences. Pp. 20-24.

Philipps D. (2019, March 13). New Rule for Transgender Troops: Stick to Your Birth Sex, or Leave. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/13/us/transgender-troops-ban.html