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[[Image:The_Riddle_of_Gender_2.jpg|right|frame]]

[[Image:The_Riddle_of_Gender_2.jpg|right|frame|<center>ISBN 978-0-385-72197-4</center>]]

'''Gender''' identity is referred to as "an individual's self-conception as being male or female, as distinguished from actual biological [[sex]]."[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9036351 Gender Identity]. Although ''gender'' is commonly used interchangeably with ''[[sex]]'', within the [[social sciences]] it often refers to specifically [[Sociology|social]] differences, known as ''gender roles'' in the [[Biology|biological]] sciences. Historically, [[feminism]] has posited that many gender roles are socially constructed, and lack a clear biological explanation. People whose gender identity feels incongruent with their physical bodies may call themselves ''[[transgender]]'' or ''[[genderqueer]]''.

'''Gender''' identity is referred to as "an individual's self-conception as being male or female, as distinguished from actual biological [[sex]]."[http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9036351 Gender Identity]. Although ''gender'' is commonly used interchangeably with ''[[sex]]'', within the [[social sciences]] it often refers to specifically [[Sociology|social]] differences, known as ''gender roles'' in the [[Biology|biological]] sciences. Historically, [[feminism]] has posited that many gender roles are socially constructed, and lack a clear biological explanation. People whose gender identity feels incongruent with their physical bodies may call themselves ''[[transgender]]'' or ''[[genderqueer]]''.

Such usage was more common before the [[1970]]s, over the course of which the feminist movement took the word ''gender'' into their own usage to describe their theory of human nature.

Such usage was more common before the [[1970]]s, over the course of which the feminist movement took the word ''gender'' into their own usage to describe their theory of human nature.

Early in that decade, ''gender'' was used in ways consistent with

Early in that decade, ''gender'' was used in ways consistent with both the history of English and the history of attestation of the root.

both the history of English and the history of attestation of the root.

However, by the end of the decade consensus was achieved among feminists regarding this theory and its terminology.

However, by the end of the decade consensus was achieved among feminists regarding this theory and its terminology.

'''Greek''' (distinguishes biological from sociological in adjectives)

'''Greek''' (distinguishes biological from sociological in adjectives)

In Greek, male biology and masculine grammatical inflection are denoted by ''arsenikos'' ({{Polytonic|αρσενικός}}), in distinction to sociological masculinity, which is denoted by ''andrikos'' ({{Polytonic|ανδρικός}}). Likewise, female biology and feminine grammatical inflection are denoted by ''thēlukos'' θηλυκός; and sociological femininity is denoted by ''gunaikeios'' γυναικείος, compare English gynaecology. This distinction is at least as old as Aristotle (see above). It is a different distinction to English, where 'male' and 'female' refer to animals as well as humans, but not to grammatical categories; however, 'masculine' and 'feminine' refer to grammatical categories as well as humans, but not properly to animals, except as anthropomorphism.

In Greek, male biology and masculine grammatical inflection are denoted by ''arsenikos'' ({{Polytonic|αρσενικός}}), in distinction to sociological masculinity, which is denoted by ''andrikos'' (ανδρικός). Likewise, female biology and feminine grammatical inflection are denoted by ''thēlukos'' θηλυκός; and sociological femininity is denoted by ''gunaikeios'' γυναικείος, compare English gynaecology. This distinction is at least as old as Aristotle (see above). It is a different distinction to English, where 'male' and 'female' refer to animals as well as humans, but not to grammatical categories; however, 'masculine' and 'feminine' refer to grammatical categories as well as humans, but not properly to animals, except as anthropomorphism.

'''German and Dutch''' (no distinction in nouns — ''Geschlecht'' and ''geslacht'')

'''German and Dutch''' (no distinction in nouns — ''Geschlecht'' and ''geslacht'')

In English, both 'sex' and 'gender' can be used in contexts where they could not be substituted — 'sexual intercourse', 'safe sex', 'sex worker', or on the other hand, 'grammatical gender'. Other languages, like German or Dutch, use the same word, ''[[:de:Geschlecht]]'' or ''[[:nl:geslacht]]'', to refer not only to biological sex, but social differences as well, making a distinction between biological 'sex' and 'gender' identity difficult. In some contexts, German has adopted the English loanword ''Gender'' to achieve this distinction. Sometimes ''Geschlechtsidentität'' is used for 'gender' (although it literally means 'gender identity') and ''Geschlecht'' for 'sex'.<ref>

In English, both 'sex' and 'gender' can be used in contexts where they could not be substituted — 'sexual intercourse', 'safe sex', 'sex worker', or on the other hand, 'grammatical gender'. Other languages, like German or Dutch, use the same word, '':de:Geschlecht'' or '':nl:geslacht'', to refer not only to biological sex, but social differences as well, making a distinction between biological 'sex' and 'gender' identity difficult. In some contexts, German has adopted the English loanword ''Gender'' to achieve this distinction. Sometimes ''Geschlechtsidentität'' is used for 'gender' (although it literally means 'gender identity') and ''Geschlecht'' for 'sex'.<ref>

See translation of Judith Butler's ''Gender Trouble''</ref>

See translation of Judith Butler's ''Gender Trouble''</ref>

More common is the use of modifiers: ''biologisches Geschlecht'' for 'biological sex', ''Geschlechtsidentität'' for 'gender identity' and ''Geschlechtsrolle'' for 'gender role', and so on. Both German and Dutch use a separate word, ''[[:de:Genus]]'', for grammatical gender.

More common is the use of modifiers: ''biologisches Geschlecht'' for 'biological sex', ''Geschlechtsidentität'' for 'gender identity' and ''Geschlechtsrolle'' for 'gender role', and so on. Both German and Dutch use a separate word, ''[[:de:Genus]]'', for grammatical gender.