Sex, Gender and Gender Identity

Question 1

Sex

Answer 1

Referring to the biological aspects of an individual as determined by their anatomy, which is produced by their chromosomes, hormones and their interactions. Assigned at birth.

Question 2

Gender

Answer 2

Social construction relating to behaviours and attributes based on labels of masculinity and femininity; gender identity is a personal, internal perception of oneself and so the gender category someone identifies with may not match the sex they were assigned at birth, where an individual may see themselves as a man, a woman, as having no gender, or as having a nonbinary gender - where people identify as somewhere on a spectrum between man and woman.

Question 3

Socialisation

Answer 3

Refers to the social processes whereby individuals learn, or are taught, the behaviour patterns, skills, values and motivations that are expected for that gender.

These processes are influenced by the behaviour and actions of other individuals, including: parents and other caregivers, same-aged peers, and people that create our physical environment.

Question 4

Stereotypes

Answer 4

Overly simplified conceptions or beliefs that are held about a social group and individuals within this group. Hormones might have a minimal role in human beings compared to the profound effects of socialisation.

Question 5

Gender Identity

Answer 5

The gender binary perspective focuses on the two categories of “male” and “female”. However, some individuals do not identify as belonging to one of these categories (non-binary) or do not identify as the sex that they were assigned at birth. Terms that individual may use to describe themselves include genderfluid, pangender, third gender, non-gendered or genderqueer.

Question 6

Transgender

Answer 6

Describes individuals with a gender identity that does not conform to their birth-assigned category, but is also used more widely to describe individuals who practice noncomformity to social expectations of gender expression.

Question 7

UK’s Equality Act 2010 protects:

Answer 7

Age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Question 8

Cis

Answer 8

People whose sense of personal identity and gender corresponds with their birth sex.