Myths (1)

Everytime I fill up a survey or a form, there is always invariably this question, either phrased this way or that: 'Sex: m/f' or 'Gender:m/f'

Each time, I'm struck by how gender and sex is used so interchangeably by people, without any question ever crossing their mind. I've always seen 'sex' as the technical anatomical denominator and 'gender' as the social, behavioural, psychological expression (ie: 'masculine' and 'feminine'.)

Again, when the terms 'masculine' and 'feminine' are used, they strike me as classifications which house a variety of descriptors and expected behavioural characteristics. More interestingly, how feminine attributes (gender) to a male (sex), is termed 'effeminate'.

I savour this word. effeminate.

tomboy. staunch. boyish.

fairy. girly. sissy. apron-clinger.

Interesting how all these derogatory terms involve aspects of what is expectedly feminine and masculine and how they cross over for either sex.

Gender is incredibly fluid, just looking at how words are structured in descriptions, behaviour, actions.