Sex

"Sex" refers to physiological differences found among male, female, and various intersex bodies. Sex
includes both primary sex characteristics (those related to the reproductive system) and secondary sex
characteristics (those that are not directly related to the reproductive system, such as breasts and facial
hair). In humans, the biological sex of a child is determined at birth based on several factors, including
chromosomes, gonads, hormones, internal reproductive anatomy, and genitalia. Biological sex has
traditionally been conceptualized as a binary in Western medicine, typically divided into male and
female. However, anywhere from 1.0 to 1.7% of children are born intersex, having a variation in sex
characteristics (including chromosomes, gonads, or genitals) that do not allow them to be distinctly
identified as male or female. Due to the existence of multiple forms of intersex conditions (which are
more prevalent than researchers once thought), many view sex as existing along a spectrum, rather than
simply two mutually exclusive categories.

Male, female, and the spectrum of sex

In humans, sex is typically divided into male, female, or intersex (i.e., having some combination of male
and female sex characteristics). The above symbols represent female on the left and male on the right.

Gender

A person's sex, as determined by his or her biology, does not always correspond with their gender;
therefore, the terms "sex" and "gender" are not interchangeable. "Gender" is a term that refers to social
or cultural distinctions associated with being male, female, or intersex. Typically, babies born with male
sex characteristics (sex) are assigned as boys (gender); babies born with female sex characteristics (sex)
are assigned as girls (gender). Because our society operates in a binary system when it comes to gender
(in other words, seeing gender as only having two options), many children who are born intersex are
forcibly assigned as either a boy or a girl and even surgically "corrected" to fit a particular gender.
Scholars generally regard gender as a social construct—meaning that it does not exist naturally, but is
instead a concept that is created by cultural and societal norms.

Gender identity is a person's sense of self as a member of a particular gender. Individuals who identify
with a role that corresponds to the sex assigned to them at birth (for example, they were born with male
sex characteristics, were assigned as a boy, and identify today as a boy or man) are cisgender. Those
who identify with a role that is different from their biological sex (for example, they were born with
male sex characteristics, were assigned as a boy, but identify today as a girl, woman, or some other
gender altogether) are often referred to as transgender. The term "transgender" encompasses a wide
range of possible identities, including agender, genderfluid, genderqueer, two-spirit (for many
indigenous people), androgynous, and many others.

The continuum of sex and gender

Those who identify with a gender that is different from their biological sex are called transgender.

Cultural Variations of Gender

Since the term "sex" refers to biological or physical distinctions, characteristics of sex will not vary
significantly between different human societies. For example, persons of the female sex, in general,
regardless of culture, will eventually menstruate and develop breasts that can lactate. Characteristics of
gender, on the other hand, may vary greatly between different societies. For example, in American
culture, it is considered feminine (or a trait of the female gender) to wear a dress or skirt. However, in
many Middle Eastern, Asian, and African cultures, dresses or skirts (often referred to as sarongs, robes,
or gowns) can be considered masculine. Similarly, the kilt worn by a Scottish male does not make him
appear feminine in his culture.

Sexuality

"Human sexuality" refers to people's sexual interest in and attraction to others, as well as their capacity
to have erotic experiences and responses. People's sexual orientation is their emotional and sexual
attraction to particular sexes or genders, which often shapes their sexuality. Sexuality may be
experienced and expressed in a variety of ways, including thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes,
values, behaviors, practices, roles, and relationships. These may manifest themselves in biological,
physical, emotional, social, or spiritual aspects. The biological and physical aspects of sexuality largely
concern the human reproductive functions, including the human sexual-response cycle and the basic
biological drive that exists in all species. Emotional aspects of sexuality include bonds between
individuals that are expressed through profound feelings or physical manifestations of love, trust, and
care. Social aspects deal with the effects of human society on one's sexuality, while spirituality concerns
an individual's spiritual connection with others through sexuality. Sexuality also impacts and is impacted
by cultural, political, legal, philosophical, moral, ethical, and religious aspects of life

Source: Boundless. “Defining Sex, Gender, and Sexuality.” Boundless Psychology. Boundless, 26 May.
2016. Retrieved 19 Jul. 2016 from https://www.boundless.com/psychology/textbooks/boundless-
psychology-textbook/gender-and-sexuality-15/introduction-to-gender-and-sexuality-75/defining-sex-
gender-and-sexuality-294-12829/