What would you do if your 10yo child told you they were the opposite gender that they were born as?
Let them start puberty blockers or have them wait til age 18?
31-35, F
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SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
MrBrownstone · 46-50, M
@SunshineGirl Can you change your race?
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
onewithshoes · 26-30, F
@MrBrownstone
A good question, actually, as sometimes the best way to approach a question is to pose an analogous question.
A good question, actually, as sometimes the best way to approach a question is to pose an analogous question.
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@onewithshoes There is no analogy. "Race" is generally accepted to be a social construct (therefore inherently subjective), whereas "gender" is contended by most people to be an objective reality.
Deflection and diversion are no substitutes for rational debate.
Deflection and diversion are no substitutes for rational debate.
onewithshoes · 26-30, F
@SunshineGirl
Gender is a grammatical construct, which, in English at least, traditionally takes its cue from the apparent sex of the being being referenced. Sex is an objective reality definable either by genetic markers or by reproductive capacity. Someone's sex can be disguised to various extents sufficient to reverse the grammatical and other social categories wherein they are accommodated, but can never really be changed on the genetic or reproductive level.
Race is indeed a social construct taking its cue from outward appearances which can likewise be changed.
The analogy is of course not perfect -- as no analogy ever is -- but it is arguably a valid tool in analysing some of the social, political, and perhaps moral questions related to this currently overcharged issue.
Gender is a grammatical construct, which, in English at least, traditionally takes its cue from the apparent sex of the being being referenced. Sex is an objective reality definable either by genetic markers or by reproductive capacity. Someone's sex can be disguised to various extents sufficient to reverse the grammatical and other social categories wherein they are accommodated, but can never really be changed on the genetic or reproductive level.
Race is indeed a social construct taking its cue from outward appearances which can likewise be changed.
The analogy is of course not perfect -- as no analogy ever is -- but it is arguably a valid tool in analysing some of the social, political, and perhaps moral questions related to this currently overcharged issue.