Kellermann comments that people say he is gay when he is not. People’s assumption about him being gay has nothing to do with sexuality but it was all about gender. He gives clear details that gender and sexuality are two different things though related and do not dictate the each other. He gives an example of boys and girls with their different actions but they are distinguished from science. He states that gender is not that simple and there are various versions. He defines gender identity as knowing oneself and what one wants to be and gender expression as the ability of an individual to represent his or her gender by actions, dressing, and conduct.
Biological sex is defined as the physical characteristics one is born with. Killermann brings out the understanding of biological sex as physical traits one is born with. He argues that the society equates gender to sexual organs as problematic and that is why gender is not universal and changes over time. He further brings out his argument that gender is relative and cultural and people still equate biological sex to gender. Gender identity is not what makes up the body but what is in one’s head.
Kellerman reasons that culture shapes how people perceive newborns as either a girl or a boy due to the presence of female or male sexual organs. As long as one is raised a girl, for example, will be required to act like a female and be that lassie, so is the boy child. In this perspective, the connection between biological sex and gender is brought out. When people are not sure whether one possess female or male sexual organs, they guess. The act of guessing is also viewed problematic. To understand the difference between gender identity and biological sex one has to make sense of what is in his or her head. Everyone shows an impact on an individual on what he or she is missing. Gender identity is however related to sociology, norms, roles, and how perpetuates ideas.
As a way of classifying personality, Killermann brings about the concept of binary gender with examples like transgender, bigender, and transexual. According to Killermann, the three categories are complex and non-determinant. In-born characteristics do not have any mandate on one’s growth. He clearly states that biological sex may align with gender expression or not. The author argues that gender essentialism is dangerous. According to his view, it should be confined based on differences with the way women and men are perceived otherwise. The young males have become traditional in ruling out their views on marriage. In 1994, very few young men thought the husband is the main decision maker in the family. The millennials had a different view of both female and male to take on traditional roles. They support gays whereas trans-folks view that women should not be the breadwinners. Trans-rights have been sacrificed over gay rights that could be collectively progressive (Truscheit).
According to the Truscheit, society prefers lesbians and gays to marriage movement. It has been a common perception that binary gender deviation is good and desired but those who stray are prosecuted. The queerest generation tends to have backward views regarding women because patriarchy was viewed as ugly, powerful, and old. There is also another reasoning that gay marriages have brought a huge impact on culture but less on people’s perspective on gender. (Truscheit) states that even though gay people had a role in getting straight people to look at their interrelations and instead of bringing freedom in gender conformity, the queer generation are tolerant to accepting parenting roles. The gay people set aside their challenges. There has been a slow change in culture even though the youth have been claiming their rightful space.
Despite the fact that queer generation does not believe in gender roles, they have a boring perspective on childcare with emotional labor. The fact that gay marriage gave birth to gay Republican population, trans-women are publicly looked down upon but fought for their rights to be heard.There have been issues regarding gender equality both at society level and workplaces. It is also alleged that prominent men in political areas tend to misbehave sexually.
Gramlich argues in reference to the survey conducted that problems facing the society are widespread due to unproven sexual misconduct by politicians. About twenty-two percent (22%) of employed women are believed to have been harassed sexually compared to seven percent (7%) of employed men (Gramlich). As stated by Gramlich, prominent men in politics, industrial areas, and media are viewed responsible for sexual harassment incidents. He argues that seventy-three percent (73%) of adults in the United States view gender discrimination as a minor problem in which a lot of pressure is placed on physical attractiveness and parenting women.
Work Cited
Gramlich, John. "10 Things We Learned About Gender Issues In The U.S. In 2017." Pew Research Center (2017 ):www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/12/28/10-things-we-learned-about-gender-issues-in-the-u-s-in-2017/.
Truscheit, Tori. "How Can The Queerest Generation (Ever) Still Believe In Gender Roles?" Huffington Post 30 June 2017. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/how-can-the-queerest-generation-ever-still-believe_us_5956c1eae4b0f078efd989ca#.
Understanding the Complexities of Gender. Perf. Sam Killermann. 2013. TEDxUofIChicago.
