Altering the etymology of gender can fundamentally transform the dating landscape.
Altering the etymology of gender can fundamentally transform the dating landscape. Some individuals disagree with the societal constructs and gender roles assigned to males and females, despite these traditional roles aligning with the biological advantages of each sex.
This new etymology redefines the characteristics of men and women as they were perceived in traditional societies. Anything that reinforces conventional ideas of man and woman is now reversed.
Traits that formerly made a man strong now make him weak, and those that made a woman strong are now what make a man strong. This is how non-binary is viewed by some who haven't learned modern social constructs in college. Regardless of whether everyone agrees, the government defines binary as:
Gender is not binary anymore - People are identifying themselves as non-binary, genderqueer, or gender fluid.
Traditional gender roles are being challenged - Women are taking on traditional male roles, and men are taking on traditional female roles.
Women are becoming more independent - Women are now seen as capable of doing everything that men can do, including being breadwinners.
Men are becoming more supportive - Men are expected to support women in their new roles, and to be more nurturing and caring.
Masculinity is being redefined - Masculinity is no longer associated with dominance and aggression, but with sensitivity and empathy.
Femininity is being redefined - Femininity is no longer associated with weakness and passivity, but with strength and assertiveness.
Gender expression is becoming more fluid - People are free to express their gender in any way they choose, regardless of traditional norms.
Those with no formal sociology background and those with less formal views have similar opinions.
Informally, this perspective can be referred to as "the barbershop perspective." They don't agree with the new roles, and if a woman behaves in a traditional masculine way, she is viewed as strong. They don't agree with this and are shamed and punished for refusing to assimilate into the new role and etymological definition of the new male/masculinity paradigm.
In contrast, if a man displays traditionally feminine characteristics, such as being gentle, nurturing, and in touch with his emotions, he is now seen as a good man. Individuals raised in tradition don't understand this new paradigm because new roles are inclusively taught in sociology and humanities majors.
However, this shift in gender stereotypes simply reassigns them and swaps the sign of the role to the opposite gender while also redefining the concept of strength and weakness based on desired social engineering. It doesn't truly break down traditional norms but rather simply inverts them.
This article does not aim to take a stance on which paradigm or philosophy is right or wrong. Rather, it provides an objective analysis of the talking points surrounding gender. It is important to note that the federal government has rejected the definition of a gender binary, and even their own definition is considered inaccurate. As a result, there can be confusion surrounding the terminology and the alignment between social society and the government's stance.
Sources:
DCEG Office of Education and Intranet. “Beyond the Gender Binary: How to Support Transgender and Gender-Expansive Individuals.” National Cancer Institute, 3 Feb. 2022, https://dceg.cancer.gov/about/diversity-inclusion/inclusivity-minute/2022/beyond-gender-binary.
Merriam-Webster. "Etymology." Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, 2023, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/etymology.
