Gender Definition

Gender

1. Grammar
   1. A grammatical category used in the classification of nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and, in some languages, verbs that may be arbitrary or based on characteristics such as sex or animacy and that determines agreement with or selection of modifiers, referents, or grammatical forms.
   2. One category of such a set.
   3. The classification of a word or grammatical form in such a category.
   4. The distinguishing form or forms used.
2. Sexual identity, especially in relation to society or culture.
   
3. 1. The condition of being female or male; sex.
      
   2. Females or males considered as a group: expressions used by one gender.

There are a few major points in the definition. The first part of the definition focuses on language and the use of gender in creating words. The second part of the definition refers not to a definite distinction between male and female. The interesting point here is that the definition does not specify that males or females must behave or dress differently. Society creates the definition and it can and does change.

Part 3a of the definition truly defines gender as sex. Gender is nothing more than the physical differences between males and females. This definition does not define behavior, clothing or anything beyond sexual aspects of human beings.

Part 3b returns to societal norms. Women are expected to think differently than men and vice versa. When grouped together by societal gender norms the sexes feel pressured to behave in unnatural manners.

The truth is that eliminating societal gender norms also eliminates the difference in group thinking by gender. As the social norms that force gender stereo types are abolished, the differences between the sexes will diminish.

Many people are saying that men are getting in touch with their feminine side, but were women getting in touch with their masculine side during the women's liberation movement? The societal gender norms for men do not match the natural tendencies of men. Men do not need to get in touch with their feminine side, they need to be free to express their true selves.

Women fought for their right of free self expression and now women can work on cars and yet still be totally feminine. Fifty years ago, a woman who worked on a car was thought to be a lesbian. Today, women are playing sports and working in almost every field. They are not stereo typed and they are still female.

Men are now working on eliminating the societal gender norms. Once these norms are overcome men will be able to freely express themselves and still be male. Men will be able to be their true selves.

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