Gender display is part of everyday life. It is something that is read everyday, unconsciously by people. Society has built a certain gender structure and has classified people into two different genders: male and female. There are some people who conform to the idea that there are two genders. As well, there are types of people who demonstrate that there are more than two genders. So the question I am going to answer in this essay is are there two and only two genders, or are there more than two and only two genders? In order to do this, I will use four different types of people to help with my arguments. First there are the Hijras and Berdaches who demonstrate that there are more than two genders. Then, there are the transsexuals and girls who want to be called “he” that show that there are only two genders.
Hijras, from India do not fit into either of the two gender categories. They are intersexed males who have chosen to adopt women’s characteristics. They wear really bright colors and makeup to represent females. As well, they would wear a beard, have really muscular arms and have hairy arms like men (Lorber 93). Hijras share traits from two genders. So, they are not doing gender and they contribute to the idea that there are more than two genders. As well, this shows that there are only two acceptable forms of gender that society accepts male and female. However, some cultures have recognized more than two genders.
According to the article by Reddy, the Hijras are seen as the third sex of India (Gayatri 65). They do not fit into one gender because they carry both male and female characteristics. Also, they are not well perceived in the Indian society. They are seen as dirty people who would engage in anything for sex. What the Hijras tell us about society is that once you do not conform into one of society’s norm, you are automatically subject to discrimination. This is apparent as in when Hijras commenced to have a role in... [continues]
Hijras, from India do not fit into either of the two gender categories. They are intersexed males who have chosen to adopt women’s characteristics. They wear really bright colors and makeup to represent females. As well, they would wear a beard, have really muscular arms and have hairy arms like men (Lorber 93). Hijras share traits from two genders. So, they are not doing gender and they contribute to the idea that there are more than two genders. As well, this shows that there are only two acceptable forms of gender that society accepts male and female. However, some cultures have recognized more than two genders.
According to the article by Reddy, the Hijras are seen as the third sex of India (Gayatri 65). They do not fit into one gender because they carry both male and female characteristics. Also, they are not well perceived in the Indian society. They are seen as dirty people who would engage in anything for sex. What the Hijras tell us about society is that once you do not conform into one of society’s norm, you are automatically subject to discrimination. This is apparent as in when Hijras commenced to have a role in... [continues]
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