Question

Discuss the differences between biological sex, gender and sexual orientation.

Be sure to address what aspects of these appear to be a function of society and what aspects are a function of biology. Also discuss any challenges or points of conflict associated with these terms in society.

Answer 1

Sex and gender has always been a topic of discussion in the present era. These two has been thought to be same by some while are differentiated in various ways by various individuals. The most accepted difference between sex and gender is that Sex is the disposed identity of a child as being a male or female based on his or her anatomy or sexual organs. On the other hand, gender is the identity which the individual prescribes to himself or herself based on her social learning, social situations and his or her own self perceptions. Thus, an anatomically male sex may be a female gender while a anatomically female sex may be a male gender. In other ways, we can say that sex is objective while gender is subjective.

Another factor important in this context is sexual orientation. At present, sexual orientation and the reasons leading to the changes in it are a trending topic of discussion. Sexual orientation is not about the individual but about the target of attraction of that individual. It denotes the sex to which an individual feels sexually attracted to. There are basically three kinds of sexual orientations that are homosexual, heterosexual and bisexual. Homosexual people get attracted to individuals of same sex, heterosexual people gets attracted to individuals of different sex while bisexual people gets sexually attracted to both same and different sex. These sexual orientation are normal and determined by hormonal differences and childhood resolution of conflicts and at present homosexuality and bisexuality is not regarded as abnormal in nature.

In social aspects, sexual orientation are misunderstood and difference between gender and sex is not well known. Thus, awareness about their meanings and differences are needed to make the society progressive and help individuals with different sexual perspectives live happily without the interference of others.