The distinction between male and female is the most fundamental one for humans, much more than any other, psychologically speaking. Is that why these modern materialistic society is trying to blurr it?
The concept of gender as a complex interplay of biology, psychology, and social constructs has its roots in various fields of study, including sociology, psychology, and gender studies. Here are some key authors and their contributions:
Simone de Beauvoir
- In her seminal work “The Second Sex” (1949), Beauvoir introduced the idea that “one is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” This concept highlights the role of social and cultural factors in shaping gender.
Judith Butler
- Butler’s book “Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity” (1990) is a cornerstone of contemporary gender theory. She argues that gender is a performance, rather than an inherent trait, and that it is constructed through social and cultural norms.
John Money
- Money, a psychologist, introduced the concept of “gender role” in the 1950s. He distinguished between biological sex and the social roles associated with being male or female, emphasizing the importance of environment and culture in shaping gender identity.
Sandra Bem
- Bem’s work on gender schema theory (1981) suggests that gender is a cognitive construct that individuals use to organize their understanding of the world. According to Bem, gender is learned through social interactions and cultural norms.
Counterarguments
Gender Identity?
This distinction is not universally applicable and may conflict with traditional or cultural understandings of gender.
Societal Influences?
Gender roles and expectations have evolutionary and biological underpinnings that are consistent across many cultures.
Inclusion and Respect?
The push for inclusion and respect can sometimes be seen as imposing a particular worldview on others who may hold different beliefs. This can lead to a lack of tolerance for diverse opinions and may infringe upon the rights of those who do not agree with these new ideologies.
What was the classic definition of gender before XX century?
Before the woke culture, the concept of gender was closely tied to biological sex and was not distinguished as a separate category.
Here are some authors and thinkers whose views on gender differ from the modern understandings:
Aristotle
- In his works, such as “De Anima” and “Generation of Animals,” Aristotle viewed gender as strictly tied to biological sex. He saw males and females as having different roles and capacities based on their biological differences.
Thomas Aquinas
- Aquinas, a medieval philosopher and theologian, built on Aristotle’s ideas. He saw gender roles as divinely ordained and rooted in natural law. According to Aquinas, men and women had different societal roles that were determined by their biological and spiritual natures.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- In “Emile” (1762), Rousseau discussed the education of boys and girls, advocating for distinct roles based on their sex. He believed that women’s primary role was in the domestic sphere, while men were suited for public life.
Sigmund Freud
- Freud’s psychoanalytic theory posits that gender identity is formed through the resolution of the Oedipus complex. He saw gender roles as largely determined by early childhood experiences and the unconscious mind, but still within a binary framework of male and female.
Germaine Greer (Early Work)
- Although Greer is known for her feminist writings, her early work “The Female Eunuch” (1970) still reflected a more traditional view of gender roles, albeit critically. She argued that women were constrained by societal expectations but did not fully reject the binary nature of gender.