Module 3 Youth and Gender

Exploring Gender Identities and Gender Perception

1. Gender Identity

• Definition: Gender identity refers to an individual’s deeply held sense of being

male, female, a blend of both, neither, or something else entirely. It’s a personal
conception of oneself in relation to gender, which may or may not correspond with
the sex assigned at birth.
• Key Categories:
o Cisgender: When a person’s gender identity aligns with the sex they were
assigned at birth (e.g., a person assigned female at birth identifies as
female).
o Transgender: When a person’s gender identity differs from the sex they were
assigned at birth.
o Non-binary: Some people do not fit strictly within the binary categories of
male or female. Non-binary people may identify as both genders, neither, or
as a gender outside of the binary spectrum.
o Gender Fluid: Some individuals may experience a gender identity that
changes over time or varies in different contexts.
o Agender: A person who identifies as having no gender or as being gender-
neutral.
o Other Identities: Various cultures recognize additional gender identities,
such as the Hijra in South Asia, Two-Spirit in many Indigenous North
American cultures, and Fa’afafine in Samoa.

2. Gender Perception

• Social Construction of Gender: Gender perception refers to how society interprets

an individual’s gender based on external traits, such as appearance, clothing,
mannerisms, and behavior. This perception is influenced by the social norms and
cultural expectations about what it means to be male, female, or another gender.
• How Gender is Perceived:
o Appearance and Expression: People often make assumptions about gender
based on how others present themselves (clothing, hairstyle, etc.).
 o Communication and Interaction: Language, tone, and gestures also play a
role in how gender is perceived.
o Stereotypes: Society tends to impose specific expectations on individuals
based on perceived gender (e.g., men are expected to be assertive, women
to be nurturing).
• Challenges of Gender Perception:
o Misgendering: When someone is addressed or referred to using a pronoun
or term that does not align with their gender identity, it can cause distress
and discomfort.
o Assumptions and Biases: Many people experience bias, discrimination, or
invalidation based on societal norms around gender, especially if their
identity does not fit these norms.

3. Fluidity and Spectrum of Gender

• Non-Binary Thinking: Rather than seeing gender as a binary (male/female), it is now

widely understood as a spectrum. People may feel and express their gender in a
variety of ways, and these identities can exist anywhere on the spectrum.
• Cultural Recognition: Various cultures throughout history have acknowledged and
embraced non-binary or third-gender roles, challenging the idea that gender is
inherently binary.

4. Impact of Society on Gender Identity and Perception

• Cultural Norms and Expectations: Many societies impose strict gender roles and
expectations, which can pressure individuals to conform to binary gender norms.
• Media and Representation: Media often reinforces gender stereotypes, though
there has been increasing representation of diverse gender identities in recent
years.
• Intersection with Other Identities: Gender identity can intersect with race, class,
disability, and sexual orientation, leading to unique experiences of privilege or
discrimination.

5. Evolving Understanding of Gender

• Modern Shifts: Societal understanding of gender is rapidly evolving, with growing

recognition and acceptance of diverse gender identities.
 • Legal and Social Recognition: Many countries and institutions now legally
recognize non-binary genders, provide options for self-identification beyond "male"
and "female," and protect against discrimination based on gender identity.

Understanding Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression

(SOGIE)

SOGIE stands for Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression. It’s a framework
that helps us understand the differences between how people experience and express
their identity, including who they are attracted to, how they see themselves in terms of
gender, and how they show that to the world.

1. Sexual Orientation

• What is it? Sexual orientation is about who you are attracted to romantically,
emotionally, and/or physically. It’s the part of your identity that relates to love and
relationships.
• Types of Sexual Orientation:
o Heterosexual (Straight): When someone is attracted to people of the
opposite gender (e.g., a man attracted to women, or a woman attracted to
men).
o Homosexual (Gay or Lesbian): When someone is attracted to people of the
same gender (e.g., a man attracted to men is gay, a woman attracted to
women is lesbian).
o Bisexual: When someone is attracted to both men and women.
o Asexual: When someone doesn’t feel sexual attraction to others or only
under certain conditions.
o Pansexual: When someone is attracted to people regardless of their gender.

2. Gender Identity

• What is it? Gender identity is how you feel inside about your gender. It’s your
personal sense of being male, female, both, neither, or something else. This doesn’t
always match the sex you were assigned at birth.
• Types of Gender Identity:
o Cisgender: When your gender identity matches the sex you were assigned at
birth (e.g., someone born as a male and identifies as a man).
 o Transgender: When your gender identity doesn’t match the sex you were
assigned at birth (e.g., someone born as female but identifies as a man).
o Non-Binary: When you don’t identify strictly as a man or a woman. You might
feel like a mix of both, or like you don’t fit into either category.
o Gender-Fluid: When your gender identity changes over time or depending on
the situation.
o Agender: When you don’t feel like you have any gender at all.

3. Gender Expression

• What is it? Gender expression is how you show your gender to others through the
way you act, dress, speak, and behave. This can be masculine, feminine, a mix of
both, or neither.
• Types of Gender Expression:
o Masculine: Acting or presenting yourself in ways that society typically
associates with men (e.g., wearing suits, having short hair, using a deep
voice).
o Feminine: Acting or presenting yourself in ways that society typically
associates with women (e.g., wearing dresses, having long hair, using a
softer voice).
o Androgynous: A mix of masculine and feminine traits (e.g., wearing clothes
that are neutral or combining styles).
• Important Point: Gender expression doesn’t always match someone’s gender
identity. For example, a woman might dress in what is seen as a masculine way, or a
man might have feminine traits, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they identify as
the opposite gender.

Key Differences Between SOGIE Components

• Sexual Orientation is about who you are attracted to.

• Gender Identity is about who you feel you are inside.
• Gender Expression is about how you show your gender to the world.

Examples for Better Understanding:

1. A cisgender man who is straight might feel comfortable expressing himself in a

masculine way, wearing suits, and liking sports.
 2. A transgender woman might have been born male but identifies and feels like a
woman inside. She may choose to wear dresses, use makeup, and express herself
in ways typically associated with femininity.
3. A non-binary person might feel neither fully male nor female. They might dress in a
way that mixes styles from both genders or none at all, like wearing gender-neutral
clothes.

Why is SOGIE Important?

Understanding SOGIE helps us appreciate that people experience and express their gender
and attraction in many different ways. It promotes respect, inclusivity, and awareness of
the diversity in how people live their lives, beyond traditional norms of "male" and "female"
or "straight" and "gay." It encourages us to use language and actions that support
everyone’s identity, expression, and relationships.

Intersectionality and Gender Roles Across Different Cultures

1. Intersectionality

• What is it? Intersectionality is a concept that helps us understand how different

parts of a person’s identity—like gender, race, class, sexuality, and ability—
combine and overlap. These intersecting identities can affect how people
experience privilege or discrimination in society.
• How does it work? Think of a person standing at a crossroads, where each road
represents a different part of their identity. For example, a person might be a
woman, Black, and part of the LGBTQ+ community. Each of these identities comes
with its own set of experiences and challenges. Intersectionality helps us see how
these different aspects interact and affect the way people are treated.
• Why is it important? Understanding intersectionality helps us avoid seeing people
as one-dimensional. Instead of thinking of someone just as a "woman" or just as a
"person of color," we can understand the complexity of their lived experience. This
is crucial in fighting against discrimination, as people can face multiple forms of
oppression at the same time.
• Example: A white woman and a Black woman may both face sexism, but the Black
woman may also experience racism. This means her experience of sexism might be
 different from the white woman’s because her race and gender intersect in a way
that leads to unique challenges.

2. Gender Roles Across Different Cultures

• What are Gender Roles? Gender roles are the expectations that societies have
about how men and women should behave. These roles often dictate what jobs
people should do, how they should dress, how they should act, and even what
responsibilities they should have in the family or community.
• How are Gender Roles Different Across Cultures? Gender roles can vary a lot
depending on cultural traditions, religious beliefs, and societal norms. While some
cultures may have more traditional, strict roles for men and women, others may be
more flexible or have different gender expectations altogether.

Here are a few examples of how gender roles differ across cultures:

• Traditional Western Culture (historically):

o Men were typically seen as the breadwinners and the ones who go out to
work, while women were expected to take care of the home and children.
These roles have changed a lot in recent times, with more women in the
workforce and more men sharing caregiving roles.
• Middle Eastern Cultures (varies by country):
o In some countries, gender roles are influenced heavily by religious beliefs.
Men may be seen as the protectors and providers, while women are
expected to take care of the family and household. In some places, women’s
dress codes are also part of their gender roles, like wearing a hijab or other
traditional coverings.
• Indigenous Cultures (e.g., Two-Spirit in Native American cultures):
o Many Indigenous cultures have a concept of Two-Spirit people, who are
individuals that embody both masculine and feminine qualities. Two-Spirit
people were often respected and seen as having a special role within their
communities, such as being healers or mediators.
• South Asian Cultures (Hijra community):
o In South Asia, the Hijra community is considered a third gender. Hijras are
often neither fully male nor fully female. Historically, they have played
important cultural roles, such as blessings at weddings and childbirth, but
they also face significant social stigma and exclusion in modern times.
3. How Gender Roles Change Over Time

• Historical Change: Gender roles are not fixed—they change over time. For
example, in many parts of the world, women were once expected to focus solely on
homemaking, but today, they are increasingly seen as equal participants in the
workforce, politics, and leadership roles.
• Impact of Globalization and Social Movements: With the rise of globalization,
different cultures influence each other, and gender roles have started to shift in
many places. Social movements like feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender equality
have pushed for the breaking of traditional gender roles and expectations.
• Challenges in Changing Gender Roles: Despite progress, many cultures still have
rigid gender roles that can limit opportunities for both men and women. In some
places, men are still expected to be strong, unemotional, and providers, while
women are expected to be nurturing and submissive. Challenging these roles can
lead to social pushback or even discrimination.

4. Modern Gender Roles and Global Perspectives

• Gender Equality Movements: Many countries now recognize the need for more
equality between genders. Laws and policies in many parts of the world are
changing to ensure that men and women have equal rights in education,
employment, and politics.
• Gender Roles in the Workplace: Traditionally, certain jobs were seen as "male"
(e.g., construction, engineering) and others as "female" (e.g., nursing, teaching).
These boundaries are breaking down, but biases still exist in some industries. More
women are entering male-dominated fields, and more men are taking on roles as
caregivers and in professions traditionally seen as female.