As I’ve previously blogged, I’ve ceased claiming to be a feminist. This post is meant to further elaborate what’s up with that.
For starters, I don’t identify with feminism because I do not think it feasible or worthwhile to seek sexual equality among women and men. Gender equality seems much better, but we have a LONG way to go before we can even imagine such a thing as a society, much less make it reality.
That being said, you might be wondering (because not everyone gives it as much thought as I do) what the difference is between gender and sex. Gender refers to the culturally assigned identity of an individual based on their biological sex. Whereas sex refers to a person’s biological reproductive function and nothing more. In the absence of culture a person’s sex determines nothing about one’s life course except their role in reproduction. Another way to say this it is to say that sex is nature and gender is nurture.
The way I see it, society’s definitions of gender are in dire need of revision. Traditional gender roles are primitive cultural adaptations which are outdated and no longer relevant for progressive society.
Sexual differences are real and inescapable, but it seems to me that in our society it is no longer necessary for a person’s reproductive function to be a determining force in the course of their life. (Granted, there are many places in the modern world that do not have the technological/financial resources to disregard the dictates of biological sex, but right now I’m only concerned with the society I live in and in which I have a better chance of effecting change.) While this simple fact seems so obvious to me, our culture seems stubbornly dependent upon the crutch of traditional gender roles, and ready and willing to fiercely combat any attempt to introduce the smallest measure of mutability into the established hierarchy.
Undoubtedly I’ll find it necessary to elaborate further, so please share your thoughts...
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Totally awesome post. I really appreciate when I come across an articulate and well-written post, and this is definitely one.
Common sense is as rare as genius. ~Emerson
Purity Balls: For the Rich, White, Christian and (Slightly) Perverted
I believe gender roles are essential to any properly functioning society. People without any sense of place descend into chaos and discontent. There is a difference between demanding justice (which women are certainly due) within our society, and obliterating the justice system. Besides that, I, as a woman, am offended when you, or anyone else says that there is no difference between men and women other than their inconsequential biological makeup. That kind of talk degrades who I am as an individual. I'm proud of being a woman, and I want men to be proud and unashamed to be men.
Addy4Progress
I, as a woman, am offended when you, or anyone else says that there is no difference between men and women other than their inconsequential biological makeup.
I said: Sexual differences are real and inescapable. So I cannot imagine how I offended your sensibilities.
And your statement compels me to ask you this: what sort of differences do you contend exist between women and men other than biological ones? For are not psychological differences nothing but biological/physiological differences?
gender roles are essential to any properly functioning society. People without any sense of place descend into chaos and discontent. There is a difference between demanding justice (which women are certainly due) within our society, and obliterating the justice system.
I didn't say that gender roles should be wholly disregarded. I said: society’s definitions of gender are in dire need of revision.
/jkh