Sex & Gender

Whats’ the difference and what’s the big deal?

Introduction

Whereas sex is assigned at birth, gender is a societal belief system or set of expectations or assumptions, based on a person’s sex (or assumed sex).

If “male” and “female” are used to describe a person’s sex, then “masculine” and “feminine” can often be the assumptions placed on them, based on the sex they present as.

For example, if a person presents as male, we might assume them to have “masculine traits” and if a person presents as female, we might assume them to have “feminine traits”.

These "gendered" assumptions can be damaging; they can lead to us developing beliefs about people we don't know, with no foundations, other than the sex they appear to be.

Gender and Sex are Two Different Things

People tend to use the terms “sex” and “gender” interchangeably, but the two terms do not refer to the same thing.

A person’s sex is assigned at birth, usually as "male", "female" or "intersex", based on observation of the baby’s external genitalia.

Once a sex is assigned, we presume the child’s gender.

What Is Gender?

Whereas sex is assigned at birth, gender is a societal belief system - or set of expectations or assumptions - based on a person’s sex (or assumed sex).

Gender is a set of attributes (for example: assertive, capable, caring, emotional, strong, aggressive) assigned to a particular sex.

Frequently certain of these attributes (for example: caring, emotional) are grouped together and referred to as “feminine”. Certain of these attributes (for example: strong, aggressive) are grouped together and referred to as “masculine”.

Gender is a human invention, based partly on assumed societal roles and partly on biological factors.

Because gender was invented by humans, and is propagated by society, it is often referred to as “a social construct”.

What is Femininity?

Traditional femininity is a set of attributes (physical, behavioural and role-based) that are widely associated with females.

For example:

Physical attributes
Curvaceous, soft, pretty, beautiful, petite, delicate, clean/groomed/sweet smelling

Behavioural attributes
Gentle, nurturing, humble, sensitive, emotional, empathic, passive/shy, eager to please

Role-based attributes
Nurturer, carer, helper, assistant, listener, organiser, domesticated, peace-maker, selfless, submissive

What is Masculinity?

Traditional masculinity is a set of attributes (physical, behavioural and role-based) that are widely associated with males.

For example:

Physical attributes
Muscular/strong, hard/chiselled, handsome, large, robust, stubbly/hairy/rugged

Behavioural attributes
Rough/coarse, uncaring, confident, thick-skinned, unemotional, brave, assertive/bold, strong

Role-based attributes
Protector, provider, leader, commander, delegator, above domestic work, dominant

Is Gender a Spectrum or is it Binary?

People who believe gender is a binary, classify gender into two distinct, opposite, and disconnected forms of “masculine” and “feminine”.

Those who believe gender is binary, might expect that a person who presents as female would (or should) naturally exhibit more traditionally “feminine” traits and a person who presents as male would (or should) naturally exhibit more “masculine” traits.

People who believe gender is a spectrum believe that a person will naturally exhibit a mixture of traits (both those traditionally considered “feminine” and those traditionally considered “masculine”), regardless of their sex.

Those who believe gender is a spectrum might believe that gender is more of a "sliding scale" and that people can be “more feminine” or “more masculine” at times and that masculinity and femininity are not fixed or opposed.

Gender Identity

Gender identity is your own personal sense of your gender. Your gender identity can match with your assigned sex at birth, or it can differ from it.

In our resource LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Workplace we explore gender identity and gender expression further.

Reflection

Do you think that the extreme polarisation and opposition of two binary genders has contributed to a growing number of people openly questioning whether they fit one of two distinct moulds?

Gender and Sexuality

Gender and sexuality need not be linked, but they are often assumed to be linked by society.

For example: A woman can identify with - and exhibit - many traits that were once thought of as “traditionally masculine” and be attracted to males. Likewise, a man can identify with and exhibit many traits that were once thought of as “traditionally feminine” and be attracted to females.

One of the assumptions often made about binary “masculine” and “feminine” genders is that they are attracted to one another, i.e. heterosexual.

In today’s society, if a man (or boy) were to behave in “traditionally feminine” ways, even if he is heterosexual, his heterosexuality may be questioned.

Similarly, if a woman (or girl) were to behave in “traditionally masculine” ways she may be subject to societal assumptions that she is gay, even if she is not.

What is Gender Stereotyping?

Stereotypes are extremely damaging, regardless of the stereotype, or the group the stereotype is describing.

A stereotype is a widely held, but fixed and oversimplified representation of a particular type of person. It is rare that an individual will conform fully to a stereotype. The damaging thing about stereotypes is, that if an individual conforms to one area of a stereotype, very often the full weight of all of the assumptions associated with that stereotype is piled onto them as well.

Activity

Think about some stereotypes about the sex or gender you identify with.

• What areas of the stereotype do you conform to and which areas are nothing like you?

• How does it make you feel, knowing that this stereotype is used so widely to describe your sex/ gender?

• What do you wish people knew about you - outside of the stereotype?

• What would you say to a person who made assumptions about you based on this stereotype?

Gender stereotyping occurs when people assume that a female will be “feminine” and a male will be “masculine” and that they will think, work, dress, play, learn and behave accordingly.

Gender stereotyping is acting on these assumptions; making assumptions and/ or treating males and females exclusively according to the list of attributes that were once traditionally linked to their sex.

Gender stereotyping is acting on the assumption that all males are (or are supposed to be) for example:

• Strong

• Chiselled

• Handsome

• Large

• Robust

• Rugged

• Confident

• Thick-skinned

• Unemotional

• Brave

• Assertive

• Strong

• Protectors

Gender stereotypes generally assume that males are heterosexual and opposed to showing what were once considered to be “traditionally feminine” attributes.

Gender stereotyping is acting on the assumption that all females are (or are supposed to be), for example:

• Curvaceous

• Soft

• Pretty

• Petite

• Delicate

• Groomed

• Gentle

• Nurturing

• Humble

• Sensitive

• Emotional

• Empathic

• Passive/shy

• Eager to please

• Nurturers

Gender stereotypes generally assume that females are heterosexual and opposed to showing what were once considered to be “traditionally masculine” attributes.

Gender stereotypes based on these assumptions are present everywhere in today’s society.

For some people, gender stereotypes are accepted because their gender identity aligns closely with the stereotypical ideas and assumptions associated with their sex.

For others, these assumptions cause a problem.

Reflection

In a society which is presented with gender stereotypes hundreds of times a day:

What problems can you imagine the “feminine” list of attributes (above) creates for females in the workplace?

What problems can you imagine the “masculine” list of attributes (above) creates for males in the workplace?

What problems can you imagine for females who exhibit some or all of the attributes on this list?

• Strong

• Confident

• Thick-skinned

• Unemotional

• Brave

• Assertive

• Strong

What problems can you imagine for males who exhibit some or all of the attributes on this list?

• Gentle

• Nurturing

• Humble

• Sensitive

• Emotional

• Empathic

• Passive/shy

• Eager to please

• Nurturer

What is Gender Equality?

Powered By Diversity's definition of Gender Equality is as follows:

Gender equality means:

• Viewing and treating people as individuals first, rather than as members of a particular gender or sex.

• Providing equitable opportunity, encouragement and support of individuals - regardless of gender or sex.

• Recognising the needs and requirements of people as individuals and adapting ways of working, language and actions, to include, support and encourage individuals - regardless of gender or sex.

• Recognising, developing and rewarding skills, behaviours and achievements of individuals - regardless of gender or sex.

Further reading: What You Need to Know About Unconscious Bias

In order to achieve gender equality within an organisation, it is vital that managers, mentors and leaders of individuals are educated and able to set themselves up to manage, mentor and lead, free from bias.

Reflection

In what ways do you treat males/females differently:

• At work?

• In your life outside of work?

Have you ever made any assumptions about males/females:

• Which have been proven to be incorrect?

• Did this change the way you treated them?

What assumptions about males/females would you find it most difficult to break away from?

What benefits can you see for males upon achieving a more gender equal society?

What benefits can you see for females upon achieving a more gender equal society?

Where Does Powered By Diversity Stand?

(and Where Do You Stand?)

At Powered By Diversity we believe that the widespread gender stereotyping in the world today is a big problem.

We believe that gender is a spectrum and that each one of us (at any age) should be free to move around on the spectrum in any given situation.

We believe that nobody should be burdened by a list of assumptions of attributes associated with their sex, that they may or may not naturally exhibit.

We believe that gender stereotyping leads to societal pressure on individuals to conform to an arbitrary and outdated mould, tread a path that may not be right for them, and imposes unnecessary limits on people.

We believe that everyone should be free to explore all aspects of who they are, and we believe that this is a crucial step in achieving one’s potential, one’s sense of identity and in finding contentment.

Reflection

• Where do you stand on this topic?

• Is your individual stance the same as that of the organisatiomn you work for?

• How do you plan to discuss this topic at work?

Training

Powered By Diversity can offer training on all areas of Gender Equality and Inclusion. If you'd like to arrange leadership, management or organisation-wide training on Gender & Gender Equality, please contact us today.