Biology of the Sexes

Providing information regarding sex, sexual preferences, and the biology of sex!

[lookingintothesexes]

The National Center for Biotechnology Information Services has a great article which highlights the ways in which researcher bias can impact a study.

Click on the photo above to read the full article.

What effect do you think that understanding researcher bias can have on how we interpret and analyze studies regarding sex difference? Food for thought.

-N

[lookingintothesexes]

A transgender adventure: What you need to know about trans, from a trans-gender male’s perspective.

-N

[lookingintothesexes]

Sexism doesn’t JUST affect women. Men can also feel pressure from the media and society. At a very young age, children learn their “roles” in society. These ideas are then carried with them as they grow into adults-adults that control our government, science and society. These pressures can create very real issues of inequality in our society, not just for gender inequality, but race as well! Imagine a world where everyone could just be who they are meant to be- no pressure! That’d be pretty rad if you ask me.

-N

[lookingintothesexes]

Yet Another Example of How Gender Stereotypes Creep Their Way Into EVERYTHING and Can Create Lasting Negative Consequences.

Emily Graslie is an intelligent and accomplished woman in the STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.). However, several individuals still try to reduce her to a body as if she is there to be looked at for the enjoyment of men. This becomes rather evident in comments such as this: “Emily, even though the clothes you are wearing seem to disguise it, you look like you might be pretty hot under there. Perhaps you should consider wearing racier clothing.” And others like this: “She could easily keep us focused by changing her clothes.” And then there’s this: “You’d think this was a man’s job, not two beautiful ladies...” Need I say more?

As Emily puts it, “There is a pressure to be the whole package: not only do you have to be intelligent and articulate but you also have to be attractive.” STEM is a male dominated field, and this problem is only perpetuated by issues such as those that are discussed in Emily’s video. Unless we engage in active dialogue with both men and women, these stereotypes will continue to have harmful effects on our society, and not just for women. Stay tuned for a video about how gender stereotypes can affect males as well.

-N

[lookingintothesexes]

This graphic, from http://www.transstudent.org/, may seem overly complicated at first glance. Most people wouldn't even imagine using thirteen separate axes to describe their gender, but even this diagram is a vast simplification.

This graphic doesn't show that there are many different sex characteristics, not all of which involve the genitals, reproductive organs, or DNA. It also makes no mention of a gender role: the expectations other people have of you based on whether they think you are a man or a woman.

However, this illustration is still a valuable tool for teaching about many parts of the concepts "man" and "woman." It's weakness is that any picture we draw can never capture all of the dimensions that make up our identities. Many believe that there are two genders, male and female, but the truth is that there are as many genders as there are people.

-G

[lookingintothesexes]

Always #LikeAGirl commercial demolishes gender normalities. How do these constructions become more and more binary oriented as children age? 

-K

[lookingintothesexes]

Women and Men in Science: We Can Close the Gap

Even the fields of science themselves are riddled with harmful gender and race biases. This article by Sara Wofford focuses on how women are viewed in science fields. Despite the fact that these women put in the same amount of time and work as their male counterparts do, they are still treated as inferior. 

"You know how women are better at empathizing and men are better at math? Yeah, that’s actually not true at all."  

-J

[dreamygothwife]

[skittlrnet]

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[lookingintothesexes]

-K

[transstudent]

5 things you should know about trans people. You can learn more here. Click here to post on Facebook. Go here to retweet.

[lookingintothesexes]

-K

[lookingintothesexes]

For many marathon runners pacing may be a matter of gender

This article done by Fox News on just March 9, 2015 is a great example of how gender comes into mainstream media. 

On the one hand, the biological differences being cited between men and women do exist. However, they may not be quite as drastic as this article makes it seem. Across different cultures, the differences between men's bodies and women's bodies get wider or slimmer (not physically speaking, of course). Different cultures and groups of people encourage different behavior from early ages, and these early experiences help to shape not only our minds but our physiques as well.

 Look at the language in this piece. At one point, women are credited with typically running at a more even pace. At a later point, it is said that women will never be faster than men. They have too much fat, apparently. However, in different studies it's discussed that the fat that women's bodies hold make them better long distances runners. The fat serves as a reserve of energy, ready to be used when most needed. Both studies state their opinions as facts. Yes, there is science behind both of them, but it should be becoming clearer to you that scientific studies are never enough.

-J

[lookingintothesexes]

Even Facebook Acknowledges More Than One Gender: Why Can't We All?

"According to the Williams Institute .3 percent of the US adult population, or, roughly 700,000 people are transgender."

What is the difference between gender and sex? This video touches upon the answer to the question and raises other questions about society. Until I began researching this type of information, it never occurred to me how difficult it can be for individuals who do not identify as either male or female in our binary classification system to feel like they belong. Now, every time I have to check a box that says female or male or when filling out a job or a school application, I realize just how limiting this system of classification is for so many individuals.

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[lookingintothesexes]

This episode of DNews highlights the fact that, although we often think of science as being objective, it can often be influenced by social or cultural bias. In this video, we are given excellent examples scientific studies that were believed to be fact by many individuals, that have since been debunked time and time again. At 2:40, Laci Green shares information about how sex differences can be explained through already existing gender stereotypes, which reinforce different types of learning for boys vs. girls, thus explaining why men are perceived to be better at subjects such as math and science and women at language, for example. Anthony and Laci then talk about neuroplasticity, (our brain’s ability to adapt to it’s environment over time,) which further emphasizes the idea that “difference” isn’t so much about actual difference, as it is about the effect that a difference in effect that socialization can have on an individual. This video pretty much nails it on the head. Take a look see.

-N

[roguecatalyst]

[lookingintothesexes]

A simple diagram to describe the differences between gender expression, sex, and gender identity.  While this gives a clear outline, some individuals choose to not identify with all of the above. As you delve into this blog, you will come across much more complicated depictions and representations of human bodies and their complexity, but for those scratching the surface, this is a great beginning to the complexity of "mind blown" by the individuals that walk this earth and their fantastic non-conforming selves.

-K/M

[lookingintothesexes]

This video from DNews provides an insightful perspective into homosexuality. What I like about this video is that it examines, not just male, but female homosexuality. This video shares biological evidence for homosexuality, as well as sociological evidence; a great departure from the historical obsession with biological difference, exclusively.

-N

[lookingintothesexes]

Romantic orientations differ from sexual orientations!

-K

[lookingintothesexes]

Think sexism no longer exists? Think again.

Female Sexual Shame Hurts Us All, is a TEDtalk by sociologist, Jennifer Gaunsallus. She provides some poignant examples of sexual shame and sexism, in a male dominated culture, that have persisted for years through society, culture and even science. While Gunsaullus gives very strong examples in her TEDtalk, we can also see these same shaming techniques used in scientific research, often through use of language and skewed data in order to prove the researcher’s theory. The way that many scientists decide to categorize behavior as male or female, and the sexualities they try to dissect in the process, can become very sexist. These ideas exist in reflections of long ago but are, unfortunately, still prevalent in stereotypes about women and their bodies today. As much as we like to think about science as being concrete, objective, and unbiased, scientists themselves are social beings that are affected by the current socially accepted way of thinking and being. By thinking critically about some of these problems and by questioning research before accepting it as true, we can begin to make progress. What are some ways that you can be part of the solution?

-N

[lookingintothesexes]

Defining Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

Sex: The distinguishing property, quality, or assemblage of properties by which organisms are classified as female or male on the basis of their reproductive organs and functions.

Gender: A socially constructed system of classification that ascribes qualities of masculinity and femininity to people. Gender characteristics can change over time and are different between cultures

Sexuality: One's sexual interest and attraction for others; their capacity to have erotic experiences and responses.

The terms sex and gender are not interchangeable because the sex of an individual assigned at birth does not necessarily have to correspond with their gender. Sex refers to things such as primary sex characteristics (the reproductive system) and secondary sex characteristics (height and masculinity). People having a combination of sex factors are intersex. 

Sexuality differs from the term sexual orientation. Sexual orientation is a persons specific attraction to a particular sex. Sexuality can have biological, emotional/physical, and spiritual aspects. 

Gender Identity: is how one sees oneself as a gendered being. There are various labels pertaining to gender identity, the most common being "male" and "female". It is not unusual for individuals to develop gender identities that do not match their birth assigned sex. Gender identity may or may not be fluid.

Gender expression: is everything individuals do that communicates their sex/gender to others, such as clothing, hair styles, mannerisms, ways of speaking, and so on. Gender expression is separate and distinct from both gender identity and sexual orientation, but it often leads people to make false assumptions about the gender identities and sexual orientations of other. Gender expression can vary for an individual from day to day or in different situations. It is fluid and is not restricted to only "male" and "female". 

-K