Sex & Gender

Contrasting Theories on Sex and Gender

With the rise of second-wave feminism in the sixties and seventies various theorists have embarked into efforts in seeking the most accurate definition of sex and gender . There are those who took similar vantage points but still ended up with different conclusions on how sex and gender should be defined . There are also those who may have departed from absolutely different perspectives but still wound up with definitions having strains of similarity . The achievement of such definitions or meanings have become more felt as the women

's movement against sexual or gender discrimination has yet to attain advances in less developed countries . Organizations promoting the rights of gays and lesbians are also continuing their struggle for acceptance in society . As these situations continue to develop , it would be necessary to review the similarities and differences among theorists and their concepts regarding how sex and gender should be defined

One of the most fundamental but contentious basis for coming out with a definition is how masculinity and femininity are defined . There are theorists who claim that the definition should be taken in a social and historical context . Others , meanwhile , claim that nature or biology determines the sexuality of an individual . Subsequently , they insist that the definition of sex and gender must be founded on this basis alone . In explaining the idea of masculinity , Michael Kimmel presented the changes in manhood 's definition throughout history depending on the economic role that partake in...