Third Gender

In society, the biological difference between men and women is used as a justification for aligning them with different social roles which restrict and mold their attitudes and behavior. Merriam-Webster defines gender as the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex. Narrow minded society of today is not satisfied with the natural difference of sex, but each insist on adding a cultural difference of gender to it. The unsophisticated, ideal physical facts always become associated with the complex psychological qualities (Holter).

It is not enough for a male to be a man; he must also be masculine. A woman, in addition to being a female, must be feminine (Magner). In a more evolved and accepting society, men and women will not be judged based on physical attributes and passing judgement on those whose beliefs and physical and mental make up do not agree with that of their own. This new age society will redefine gender thus creating three genders, female, male, and androgynous. As previously stated, gender is defined as the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex (Volume Information).

Gender has a major impact on how our identity is developed through many interactions such as with parents, media, and peers. How people are raised in society reflects how they act and mature. Our society changes our attitudes and views on life more than our biological make-up. By establishing a new society, one where people are more accepting, will create peace amongst the sexes. Gender is a combination of what is seen, as well as how people think, feel, act and react to various situations.

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This blend of biological, psychological, and sociological features is developed based on how an individual is raised and influenced by the society in which they live and are apart of (Holter). Gender has a major impact on every aspect of a person's life. It has a strong impact on the way people set goals, how they feel about themselves, and making work related decisions. It also has major impact on they way people dress, religion, relationships, and how they express feelings and emotions. Gender roles determine and directly affect how an individual thinks, speaks, and interacts within society (Guastello, 665).

Gender schemas are deeply embedded cognitive frameworks regarding what define masculine and feminine (Guastello, 665). Social agents such as parents, teachers, peers, television, music, and books, demonstrate and reinforce gender roles throughout the lifep of a person (Woodhill, 17). By developing a new society, the distorted definition of manhood and womanhood will be changed and seen in a more philosophical way. What is the role of the "female" in society? From decade to decade raising children and doing all the household chores belong to the female domain.

Currently women are perceived as more communal (selfless and concerned with others) than men (Magner). These beliefs were hypothesized to stem from perceivers' observations of women and men in differing social roles: (a) Women are more likely than men to hold positions of lower status and authority, and (b) women are more likely than men to be homemakers and are less likely to be employed in the paid work force. This newly developed definition of gender will re-construct the image of the ideal woman. Women will be liberated and will have the ability to do multiple tasks without judgement by men being passed upon them.

The newly liberated woman will have a positive impact on society by showing that gender does not determine success. Women will be accepted and will defeat inequality. The male and androgynous perception of women will not create a sense of oppression by means of exploitation. It is also imperative to ask what is the role of the male in society? Society uses masculinity to define a man. In "Society and Sex Roles" by Ernestine Friedl, Friedl supports the the idea that suggests that " although the degree of masculine authority may very from one group to the next, males always have more power" (261).

The traditional roles of a man was established to ensure the power of the head of household. From a historical stand point, it was always assumed that the head of the household was always the male. Today's society have groomed people to believe and expect a man to be brave, industrious and domineering, whereas a woman is suppose to be submissive and nurturing (263). Men have also been raised to believe that their feelings and emotions are suppose to be hidden from others and should be dealt with internally.

With creating this society, men will be able to express themselves without ridicule. Men will be able to continue to provide for their families, as well as maintaining a clean image without being labeled as "queer. " Men will have an overall promising and positive impact on society by creating a community where children will have positive male figure in their lives. This new type of man, one who is sensitive, caring and not afraid to vent his feelings will still be able to carry the burden of taking care of the household and the children in the event there is absence of the mother.

The female and androgynous perception of a man will eliminate the dominance of a male's ego. Androgyny is a word made up of two Greek roots. "Andro" which means males; whereas, "gyn" means female (Woodhill, 18). Androgyny is the state or condition of having a high degree of both feminine and masculine traits (18). Under these circumstances, human beings have loosely defined impulses and are free to express nontraditional values. Androgyny is not synonymous with any biological distinctions. According to D. D Guastello, sexual behavior or preference has nothing to do with gender identity (663).

Androgyny, viewed as a balance between positive feminine and positive masculine traits, it blends the virtues of the male and female. There are two definitions for androgyny: physical (intersexual) - born with both male and female genitals; and psychological - combining both masculinity and femininity as traits of a unified gender that defies social roles and psychological attributes(664). The common usage of the term androgyny in society refers to the latter description (665). As to the sexual orientation, an androgynous person can be heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual.

Androgynous individuals tend to behave in ways that counteract conventional gender stereotyping. With the constant change of American culture, the resiliency of androgynous individuals helps society deal with societal pressures. Individuals do not adhere to the same standards that gender-typed individuals do. As a result, they exude higher levels of self-esteem and psychological well-being (665). With creating this third gender, androgynous individuals will be able to live a life without ridicule from men and women who are different from them.

Androgynous individuals have dealt with bullying, scolding, and ridicule and are not accepted because of what has been taught through one's life. This new society will encourage androgynous individuals to feel more comfortable and live a healthy and satisfying life without being categorized as different. Today's society does not embrace the idea of androgyny. These individuals will be the quintessential form of existence. They are an all encompassing gender which will make these individuals the ideal mate. These individuals will be able to contribute to the successes of the work place as well as domestically.

An androgynous person will also be given the opportunity to hold political positions and well as lead congregations in worship services. The appeal of accepting the idea of adding androgynous gender to society will transcend and eliminate judgement based on physical attributes. It has been proven that gender roles in society have changed over the past decade and will continue to change as the next approaches (holter). Although these roles are ever changing, there are still entirely too many stereotypes and boundaries placed on each gender which cause a rift in relationships.

These boundaries keep males and females from exploring their full capacity, completely accepting the idea of androgyny, and evolving into a society of equals across the board. This goes to show that people are easily manipulated through various sources into commonality. Society does not embrace individuality or differences, however; constantly being defined by sex, color, and race through gender prevents unity amongst the masses. Those stereotypical groups are also assigned attitudes, intelligence as well as work ethics.

Currently, should people run across someone who doesn't conform to their beliefs and ideas, the likelihood of them being congenial is substantially reduced. Furthermore, men and women have the same emotions but their gender behaviors are conditioned by social norms varying from culture to culture. By discarding the imposed restrictions and inhibitions, one would discover the natural androgynous self and learn to accept individuals for who and what they aspire to be. Citation: Citation: please fix the citations i did them off the top of my head don't have ]many internet resources APPLE blocks a lot of stuff. eel free to add what needs to be added more of your opinion that will support your stand on this issue. also cite the article u gave me that you found as well Holter, H. (1970), Sex Roles and Social Structure (Oslo: Universitet for Laget). Magner, Lois N. “Nineteenth-Century Views of the Female Body and Their Impact on Women in Society. ” 2005. Web. “Volume Information. ” Journal of Marriage and Family 47. 4 (1985): 1082-100. Print. Guastello, D. D. & Guastello, S. J. (2003). Androgyny, gender role behavior, and emotional intelligence among college students and their parents. Sex Roles, 49(11), 663-673.

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