Is Gender A Social Construct? A Deeper Dive I am very firm about my belief that gender is not a social construct. However, I think one thing we should all acknowledge is that, in this debate, we are often actually talking past each other. For example, those who say that gender is a social construct tend to focus on things like gender stereotypes, rigid gender roles and social expectations, and I can definitely agree that these are social constructs that limit the freedom of individuals. I certainly have nothing against attempts to liberate us from these shackles.
On the other hand, when people like myself talk about gender being biological, we tend to refer to things like gender identity, natural inclinations in the way we relate to people, especially in romantic relationships, and bodily dysphoria in trans people. Based on objective observation, these things are extremely unlikely to be due to social construction. Many trans individuals (including myself) are firm in our gender identity from a young age, before we even understand social gender relations. Bodily gender dysphoria is also clearly not due to any external social construct. Furthermore, the way individuals relate in romantic relationships is likely a part of their sexual orientation, which we generally agree is inborn and not a social construct. It is also very likely to have a neurological or biological basis, based on evolutionary logic. Those who insist that gender is a
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