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Understanding the meaning and difference between gender and sex is very important. Often the use of these two terms is not correct, even though gender and sex have different meanings. Check out the explanation in this article.
Most of us grew up with the simple idea of gender and sex, that is, 2 sexes consisting of male and female. This is what may make us less understanding of the meaning and differences between gender and sex.
Definition and Differences between Gender and Sex
So that you do not get confused and understand the difference between gender and sex, below will be explained first about the meaning of both:
Definition of sex
Sex is the division of 2 sexes, namely male and female, which is determined biologically. Sex is also related to the basic physical characteristics and functions of humans, from chromosomes, hormone levels, and the shape of the reproductive organs.
For example, men and women have different reproductive organs, both from the inside and the outside. Likewise with the types and levels of hormones in the body of men and women. These are called primary sex characteristics.
Apart from primary sex characteristics, there are also secondary sex characteristics. These are sex characteristics that occur because of differences in primary sex characteristics.
For example, men and women both have breasts, but a secondary characteristic of women is breast tissue which contains more fat and milk glands due to the influence of hormones.
Although sex generally has strong differences, there is also a congenital condition that causes a person to be born with a combination of male and female sex characteristics (multiple sex), both physically and genetically. This condition is called intersex. An example is Klinefelter's syndrome.
Definition of gender
Gender is the perception of society or refers to the role, behavior, expression and identity of a person, both male and female.
Gender is usually associated with masculine and feminine terms. Masculine is associated with male characteristics, such as manly, strong, and leading. While femininity is associated with female characteristics, such as nurturing, gentle, and feeling.
How one society determines the role or nature of one gender can differ from another and can also change over time.
For example, in the past, masculine traits were considered absent in women and feminine traits did not exist in men. In fact, now it is understood by many that men can also protect and women can also lead.
Another term related to gender is gender identity. Gender identity is how a person sees himself. In the case of transgender people, it is possible for a man to see and think of himself as a woman, or vice versa.
Not only that, there are also such things as gender expressions. This is how a person expresses himself, whether in terms of behavior, clothing, voice, or haircut, according to gender or not.
Gender and Sex Differences
From the explanation above, we can see where the differences in gender and sex are, but we can also see the bond between the two. Both have a relationship with gender. However, sex is absolute, while gender tends not.
Sex is the biological difference between a man and a woman that is born. Meanwhile, gender is a characteristic of men and women who are formed and built in the surrounding environment or society.
The nature of the term sex cannot be changed, while gender can, because the definition of gender is not solely about a person's genetics.
As explained above, men can have dominant feminine traits, and vice versa. However, a man cannot have a vagina and a woman cannot have a penis.
The definition and difference between gender and sex may indeed be more complicated than we understand so far. However, the most important thing we can do is respect each person's sex and gender identity.
If you know someone who is having difficulty expressing or accepting their gender identity, do not hesitate to suggest consulting a psychologist or psychiatrist. That way, he can get advice or even therapy if needed.
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