Gender: In Defense of Identity
Just the other day, an older co-worker remarked about the way our society is changing at such a rapid pace. There may be no clearer sign we are in an age of great transformation than the increasing number of people who are redefining the meanings of both gender and identity.
Recently, the very public rise of Caitlyn Jenner as a transgender icon in the media has placed the topic of gender in the forefront. The circus her emergence event created brings forth a variety of responses. Most are supportive and relate to the existence of stigma faced by persons wrestling with gender identity issues, as well as those of women and females, in general.
One side of the argument is held by persons we may call hard-line-extremists. These maintain that “only” the dichotomy of male and female gender identity roles exist, at either side of the sexual spectrum. The two roles consist of well-defined physical differences. These are usually related to the ability to contribute toward ‘traditional,’ genetic reproduction.
In spite of the hard-liners who insist this dichotomy is the only “natural” way, the way evolution has caused us to be for generations, are others. These often-ignored and stigmatized members of society, who walk the road of life with us and purposefully achieve an identity that belies their physical one. Whether through artfully applied makeup and other appliances, medications, and surgeries, a spectrum of talented people exist who have varying gender identity. The reasons behind these different gender identities are as numerous as the people and circumstances that bring them into being.
Fluidity and varying gender identities
The buzz word in making the headlines these days is, “gender fluidity.” Using water as an example, tied up with the many feelings and choices that are involved in the mix of gender these days, can help us to understand. For so many people, identifying with gender can be a flowing experience. It goes beyond simply being ‘moody,’ as many of us may understand emotion, however. When it comes to one’s personal identity, the majority of us have managed to stay rather solidly male or female, whether we admit it or not.
Many “variances” exist between what people have long perceived as “male and female” images and roles in society places us into a chaotic stew where the issue of gender identity is questioned, and rightfully so. People have struggled, and continue to struggle, with the deep distinctiveness of what makes us who we are. Some may voice the opinion that it is a shortcoming; that we stop digging just when the subject becomes really interesting; and that we may not be digging deeply enough.
A firmer number who find themselves in the middle of the two gender extremes find it is a good time to assert and solidify their gender identity. As with Jenner, many have the means to follow through with more complete and dramatic changes than ever before. Far from being simply labeled ‘eccentric,’ or some other imaginatively creative label, personal uniqueness is being embraced much more openly, thoroughly, and with acceptance. The door is opened to hold genuine conversations about how each of us sees ourselves, and even how we feel about things in general, such as life.
Gender distinctions in language
Perhaps all this gender identification also comes at a time when our language is likewise in the midst of changing and morphing before our eyes, and at lightning speed. For modern English-speakers, there is very little struggle with gender identity descriptors when it comes to language, except for the type of personal pronoun one may choose to use. In most other languages, however, gender comes with the territory.
In fact, attributing a word to a particular male, female, or neutral gender is a common occurrence in many parts of the world. For example, Spanish and French use the masculine/feminine gender as descriptors of objects and people, while the neutral gender exists in the language of Germany, Romanian, as well as the Ancient Greek and Sanskrit languages. Gender neutral languages include most Native American languages, as well as Danish, Swedish and to some extent, Dutch. Even English, once upon a time, was a gender-filled means of communication. Perhaps, language users come to understand that having a gender attribute in language may help with some subtle nuance of a word’s energetic meaning? Or, we might discover that gender, when it comes to understanding our fellow beings, does not necessarily have to rely on such an assignment.
The use of gender in language description may be one aspect where insight can be gained. The use of gender to assign limitation when it comes to identity, how we see and perceive one another, is surely undergoing a sea change towards a more open way of seeing. Should we find it confusing and remain stymied and stuck over it all, unable to move past whatever it is we see? Or, might we use this as a means to delve just a little deeper in truly energetically sensing our fellow human beings?
Maybe we will reach the point of understanding that whatever labels may exist, we are so much more underneath it all. We are all such beautiful darlings that our hearts will lead the way to honest and natural self-determination, provided we listen with our hearts open.
This is a monumental step in our evolution, indeed!
Click HERE to Connect with your Daily Horoscope!
About the Author
Kathy Custren, OMTimes Senior Editor, is a mother of four, who strives for balance and has a deep respect for All. Interests include education, elements, nature, humanity’s cosmic origins, philosophy, spirituality, and wellness. Connect with her community page “Consciousness Live” on Facebook, and tune in to “What is Going OM” on OMTimes Radio.
References:
Common gender types and definitions:
https://lgbt.wisc.edu/documents/Trans_and_queer_glossary.pdf
Grammatical gender identity around the world:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammatical_gender
