User:Anthropology21/sandbox

Noun

1. A gender system in which people are categorised, in terms of gender and often also sex, exclusively as either male or female

Main Topic

In recent times, the concept of non-binary has flourished once again. However, it is not a new state of gender. Non-binary essentially refers to that form of gender where the individual does not identify themselves with the male gender or the female gender. The presence of non-binaries has been prevalent for decades . However, our society has had a history of shunning them. This essentially emphasizes the whole concept of shunning elements that do not fit into the constraints of an ideal society. Similarly, in society today, non-binaries are not outright shunned but they are also not wholeheartedly welcomed. This sheds light on the fact that society’s behavior towards those who identify as non-binaries has hardly changed. It is important to note that being non-binary essentially means that the person does not identify with being male or female. In society, the gender binary accepts two forms of gender that are male and female. Male gender included elements such as masculine behavior and traits while the female gender included elements such as feminine behavior and traits. People who identify as non-binary do not fit into this box at all . This essentially emphasises the fact that they could be masculine or feminine in situations or they could behave in a way that is neutral completely

Gender Binary

Deconstruction of the gender binary holds a very important role in present society. Ideally, society works carefully to achieve such a goal of analyzing the gender binary. Although non-binary labeled individuals fall under the transgender category the transgender labeled individuals do tend to follow the gender binary [1]. There is a rise in individuals who are identified outside of the gender binary, and the visibility of the challenge of the gender binary - which can be slightly credited to social media and the online community. [2]

Despite the increase in widespread knowledge and acceptance of individuals challenging the gender binary, there are still stereotypes based on a perceived presentation that is harmful to the transgender and gender binary challenging community. The fluidity of sexuality and gender is becoming a much more widely spread and accepted notion, and the defining gender and sex is much more individual. The labels of feminine and masculine have mainly kept their general meaning however the use of them is much more diverse. The liminal space of transitioning or just questioning and exploring one’s individual take of the gender binary is a very vulnerable space, and some choose to stay in this non-binary place, and some choose to fully cross the binary. [3]

Gender Binary, kwakwaka'wakw Indigenous

A study conducted by anthropologist Sarah Hunt on “Determinants of indigenous people’s health”, explores indigenous gender colonial violence through experiences in British Columbia. It offers a remark and an insight into gender-based violence in indigenous society. While not as well addressed and recognized by Indigenous women’s organizations in Canada, the centrality of gender as a determinant of health still entrenches our overall social life. The violence against women and trans are rampant in the community, the broad aspects of power are still focused on men, which also reinforced the gender binary further. Thereby, disregards people with different gender identities who experiencing or committing the same violence. In addition to this, the long history of “categorization” of genders also played important factors that influenced the indigenous community throughout the colonial process of gender categorization and along with racial-based indigenous assimilation programs. This historical event on indigenous has had a transformation that completely altered the previous culture of the “two spirits human” belief. Therefore, the contemporary development of this issue has a pollutive “effect” on today’s civil society where conceptualization of gender as the center of social determinants of health are being eradicated. Although previously both culture west and the natives of pre-and post-colonial gender binary are differently perceived, the today gender binary is heavily influenced by the western conceptualization of gender.

Reflection

Gender binary by Sarah Hunt explores the experiences and conceptualization of gender binary with the cultural history and the prospects of health. Through the lens of indigenous Canadian’s perception of the gender binary. Sarah highlighted the history and pattern of colonialization regarding gender binary and the ongoing effect that altered or ultimately eradicated one culture and perception of the gender binary. This contribution of Sarah's research has helped people to understand the concept of gender binary through multicultural perception and how different societies approach gender binary. Sarah also contributed to the process of change that has had on policies and political ideology about the categorization of gender and race and the polar aspects of one interest above the other to promote controversial assimilation programs. As a result of ongoing violent eradication of multicultural [4] perception and different treatment between Indigenous way of life and western way of life. woman and men are viewed in one polar role, this hegemonic application of understanding of gender has not only limited the public discourse but also a disregard what positive contribution of each culture and perception that people can discover, accepting and integrating new ideas can develop new positive assimilation in western culture and way of life. Sarah also discusses the positive and negative of both cultures and the perception of gender that intersects with our social and overall health. At almost just a few years or decade ago, this was always the norms, bias and misunderstanding has guided and kept many cultures of life limited to their own gender binary ideology, the ideas of their own understanding of gender while disregard what positive contribution of each culture could offer as an alternative to each other to a broader civil society. The idea of two-spirit as gender identity is a unique understanding of the social body and what it symbolizes.

The reason why we chose this topic was because of its relevance today. This mainly refers to the recent pride marches that have advocated for the rights and acceptance of those who identify as non-binaries. In addition to this, having read the Wikipedia page, we realised that it was lacking significant information about the non-binaries. This made me not only pick this topic but also shed my thoughts on non-binaries. It was also important to point out where the entire concept of non-binary essentially stemmed from. This also emphasizes the fact that we chose the topic because of its intricacy. This sheds light on the fact that the non-binary concept breaks the constraints of society and paves the way for acceptance and equality. This is one of the main reasons behind pride parades. People in pride parades essentially advocate for love, equality, acceptance, and freedom. It was imperative for me to discuss this topic as society is evolving today and hence the elements of acceptance should also extend towards people who do not fit into boxes of stereotypical identity traits. The Wikipedia page failed to mention how non-binaries are a part of the gender type prevalent in society today. This is why it was essential to shed light on the topic. The purpose essentially was to educate people about the relevance of non-binaries and their history so that people are aware of their existence just as they are aware of the male gender and the female gender. This also emphasizes the fact that non-binaries have been present in our society for ages yet people choose to shun them because they deviate from stereotypes. This topic was chosen in order to elevate that situation.

Limitations and rejections

Helana Darwin’s research within Navigating the Religious Gender Binary talks of the restrictions placed on those not found to reside in the gender binary. Within this Darwin finds that those who do not conform to the gender binary “must constantly negotiate their accountability to binary gender ideals at three levels of interest … within themselves through identity work, within daily interactions with strangers, coworkers, and loved ones, and within institutional settings such as the workplace, medical clinics, and the legal system”. This foundation of what the gender nonbinary struggle with due to their nonconformity, also displays the limitations and restrictions that are imposed on the gender binary through gender roles. Darwin’s study saw that religion imposes restrictions due to its structure based around the gender binary and predominant gender roles. This study found that 3 of 29 participants raised Christian has stayed within the religion with the rest identifying as atheist or agnostic [reference]. “Moreover, these experiences differ depending on whether the religion is faith-based or practice-based” due to the gender binary ideology found within the structures of religious law and ritual traditions. The more ritual-based religion creates a divide between the male and female participants without a place for those non-binary.

Reference

See also

• Feminism
• Gender dysphoria
• Gender essentialism
• Gender policing
• Gender variance
• Masculinity
• Non-binary discrimination
• Queer heterosexuality
• Sexual dimorphism
• Social construction of gender
• Third gender
• Two spirit
• Trans bashing
• Transphobia
• Violence against LGBT people