What is Male? What is Female? The Redefining of Gender Identity
Never could I have imagined the complications of gender. I am a boy; you are a girl. She is a transgender female; he is a transgender male. The individual working beside me would rather be referred to as “they or them” instead of being defined by gender specific pronouns. Gender fluidity has been broadened like never before, and the whole (public restrooms) situation is up for debate, leaving an individual’s interpretation of what is politically acceptable. The concept of gender is no longer painted in black and white; it is not as straightforward as our grandparents’ generation would have us to believe. Instead, the idea of gender is more like watching a fuzzy tv screen when the channel has been interrupted, squinting one’s eyes in the attempt to capture a clear visual of what the characters look like, but never managing to process the whole picture.
To be Born this way
The room was filled with a sense of awe and anticipation as the new life entered the world. Soft cries soon turned into a melody of hopes and dreams, echoing through the hearts of everyone present. The baby, wrapped snugly in a warm blanket, was handed gently to the mother, who gazed upon her child with a mixture of exhaustion and profound love. In that moment, the past and future seemed to intertwine, creating a unique tapestry of life that would forever change their world. The father’s eyes glistened with tears of joy and pride, knowing that this small bundle was the beginning of a new chapter, filled with endless possibilities and cherished moments. But, what these new parents don’t know, is that this small bundle of joy will soon grow up suffering from Gender Dysphoria — (not to directly quote the dictionary) but in plain words, it’s the extreme discomfort of being born in the wrong gender, people who experience this often feel as though their physical bodies do not reflect who they truly are inside. “Imagine what that must feel like?” To be born in the wrong body by birth and depending on what age these feelings arise, this condition brings forth emotional struggles and the yearning to alter one’s body through medical interventions like hormone therapy or surgery, or simply feeling more aligned with the gender opposite to their assigned sex. “Although personally I don’t suffer from gender dysphoria,” I am empathetic enough to know that being born in the wrong body is not a choice, but rather an intrinsic aspect of a person’s identity.
A generation who redefined gender identity & gender roles
This generation has completely redefined gender identity and gender specific roles. Gone are the days when men took out the trash and women prepared dinner in the kitchen, granted these roles still exist in many households. “Nowadays, gender roles are as flexible as a gymnast on a trampoline.” While some traditional roles still linger, the cool kids of today are all about that personal choice vibe. From Millennials to Gen Z, who have turned defying gender norms into a street art masterpiece. Picture this: a dude with a beard, rocking a men’s jacket and jeans, but strutting in women’s high heels like it’s nobody’s business. Who said fashion can’t be fun and rebellious? It has become a form of self-expression and creativity to see individuals defying stereotypes and embracing their true selves. This shift towards gender fluidity and self-expression not only promotes inclusivity but also encourages a more accepting and open-minded society.
So, what is male? And what is female?
In recent years, the gender lines have been completely blurred, to a point where if you look at someone from afar or up close it may be hard to determine their sex right away or if at all. These lines are so blurred that even the fashion industry has affected the way clothes are made. In past years, men’s clothing items used to be loose and baggy. But, in years to follow men’s jeans and shirts are tight and form fitted, so much so that it imitates the way women’s clothes are made. What defines a woman is not as straightforward as it once was, what defines a man is not simply written in black & white. Masculinity and Femininity are sheer suggestive examples of what makes a woman a woman and what makes a man a man. But, based on statistics both men and woman possess feminine and masculine characteristics, some more prominent than others. There are subtle differences between the sexes, a man will refuse to ask for directions even if he’s been driving aimlessly on the open roads for hours, without hesitation a woman will stop at every gas station on her route to ask for directions even when she’s been given the same directions from previous gas attendants. These minimum examples are what makes the male brain differ from the female brain, the understanding of the sexes runs deeper than emphasizing the difference between the sexual organs… that is because being male or being female is more than physical attributes, it is a state of mind!
Wearing pink
I remember a time if you were a boy and you wore any article of clothing that was pink, you were guaranteed an “ass kicking” after school… or worse, be berated by your testosterone fueled father who displayed no hesitation about embarrassing you in front of his peers. You would suffer even more taunting if you were a boy who showed his emotions, sensitivity and empathy were NOT ALLOWED. However, hatred and anger were the only emotions you were ALLOWED to express (is there any wonder why a high percentage of mass murders are committed by men) … but I digress! There was a time when your gender determined the colors you are supposed to adapt to because society deemed it necessary. Wearing pink will not cut it, such a delicate color will make a sissy out of a man, this man was raised to be ruthless and aggressive so that one day he would rule with an iron fist. Who knew that something as simple as a hue would play an intricate role in the development of a young man’s masculinity? The pressure to conform to gender-specific expectations was suffocating. From early childhood, boys were conditioned to embrace a certain set of behaviors and interests based on their gender. Whether it was excelling in sports, pursuing a career in the military, or seeking a submissive wife, every decision seemed predetermined by archaic beliefs about masculinity, and it all started when mom and dad painted the nursery blue and to have said to stay away from pink. Looking back, it is troubling to see how such arbitrary rules and restrictions could stifle individuality and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. The journey from childhood to adulthood was often marred by the constant pressure to fit into a predetermined mold, leaving little room for self-discovery and authentic expression. Thankfully, times have changed, and the rigid boundaries that once confined young boys to limited expressions of masculinity are slowly being dismantled. It is a reminder of how far we have come in challenging outdated notions of gender and allowing individuals to embrace their true selves, regardless of societal expectations.
