Yeah, but I suspect we have a “motte and bailey” type situation here.
Either we suppose huge differences between “masculine” and “feminine” behavior, in which case I would argue that the majority of men and women do not belong into these categories… or we suppose small differences between “masculine” and “feminine” behavior, in which case such small difference does not per se explain why someone would be uncomfortable with their body.
In other words, if “masculinity” means “being the Hulk”, that would perfectly explain why someone born biologically female, who feels and behaves like the Hulk, would want a sex change. However, it should be noted that most men actually are not the Hulk.
On the other hand, if “masculinity” means “slightly more competitive at sports and willing to take risks”, that would apply to many men. But it wouldn’t explain why a woman who is slighly more competitive at sports and wiling to take risks, wants to have her sex changed surgically.
Either we suppose huge differences between “masculine” and “feminine” behavior, … or we suppose small differences between “masculine” and “feminine” behavior
And why would we do such a stupid thing?
It seems obvious to me that some differences between men and women are quite pronounced, and some are very minor if they exist at all. There is a whole spectrum of differences and trying to force them into a black/white dichotomy seems misguided.
if “masculinity” means
Biologically or socially? Social markers of gender tend to change; biological stuff is pretty well fixed.
Yeah, but I suspect we have a “motte and bailey” type situation here.
Either we suppose huge differences between “masculine” and “feminine” behavior, in which case I would argue that the majority of men and women do not belong into these categories… or we suppose small differences between “masculine” and “feminine” behavior, in which case such small difference does not per se explain why someone would be uncomfortable with their body.
In other words, if “masculinity” means “being the Hulk”, that would perfectly explain why someone born biologically female, who feels and behaves like the Hulk, would want a sex change. However, it should be noted that most men actually are not the Hulk.
On the other hand, if “masculinity” means “slightly more competitive at sports and willing to take risks”, that would apply to many men. But it wouldn’t explain why a woman who is slighly more competitive at sports and wiling to take risks, wants to have her sex changed surgically.
And why would we do such a stupid thing?
It seems obvious to me that some differences between men and women are quite pronounced, and some are very minor if they exist at all. There is a whole spectrum of differences and trying to force them into a black/white dichotomy seems misguided.
Biologically or socially? Social markers of gender tend to change; biological stuff is pretty well fixed.