Batayen, Christian Jade O.

Soc Sci 5 - Understanding Gender

“Spanning Landmasses and Timelines: Gender Identities Across Culture”

Gender is a controversial topic to divulge. Simply by inserting it into a simple conversation,

things could get heated. Granted that we are from various cultures, while it is a generalized
statement, there is still some truth that different groups will have different interpretations of
gender and gender roles. It is imperative to understand the differences and similarities of said
cultures, as those alone reflect cultural identities, cultural injustices, and norms.

The use of ‘injustice’ is reflective of a biased perspective, due to being inherently influenced by
a particular culture which may or may not align with the writer’s views, which is why the paper
will still lean towards a certain level of subjectivity. Nonetheless, the student writing this paper
attempts to have an objective point of view, as in vain as that attempt might be.

This paper will attempt to discuss several manifestations on gender identities among various
world cultures. It is limited by the scope of the knowledge verified, inability to have direct
contact with discussed cultures, student’s interpretation of the source material, etc.

“Hit it up! Give it up! Show me how you Berdache!”

-not Cher

The Native American practice of Berdache, nowadays called twin-spirit, is a Native American
practice where a tribe member of a particular birth-assigned sex may practice a gender
expression and gender role that is commonly by that of the opposite gender. The word berdache
was a derogatory label used by European colonizers towards natives who practice the act. Of
cross-dressing. In actuality, it is independent of sexual orientation, which is a fascinating aspect,
seeing as how Filipino perspective would automatically assume a cross-dresser to be a
homosexual. Twin-spirits are allowed to take in wives or husbands, with their sexual preference
being the basis and not whether they express as masculine or feminine. One could hunt and join
war, while at the same time weave tapestries. Through this tradition, Native Americans are able
to display their impartiality to gender, accepting that there are identities between the binary
spectrum, and out of it.

The tolerance of this tradition, although variable among tribes, is a strong indicator of how
western mentality clouded modern approach towards gender diversity. One can further his or her
own status without having to hide one’s identity and expression, even sexual orientation.

If the argument permits to stretch, the twin-spirits are given a sense of high spiritual status
pointing them as mediators of men and women. This is an implication of how much more equal
Native Americans gave their cis-gender heterosexual (concepts derived from more modern
understanding of gender) members. The existence of a gender identity that bridges men and
women allows them to function on more equal grounds. Granted, a binary does exist since the
very definition of a twin-spirit places a person ‘between or beyond the spectrum’, but that
doesn’t have to imply any injustice and schism.

There are multiple parallels of this cultural practice which can be found across anthropological
studies, such as those in India and the Philippines.

“I can show you the world. Shining, shimmering, middle-eastern women suffering.”

-not Aladdin, probably.

Middle eastern culture is, and has always been, a tough topic to undertake. The Philippines is a
Catholic country, and that makes it is this very Christian nation with Santo Niños and elaborate
churches that remind you of the Spanish’s cultural razing. Now this next statement may paint the
student writing this paper as an ignorant individual so apologies are in order, but Islamic culture
displays heavy parallels with that of Christianism, but with more sand and turbans in mind. It is
almost a humorous thought to have to realize that both faiths began in the same area – the middle
east. Strictly speaking, this paper is not a cultural faith assessment, but the religious roots of the
prejudice to be undertaken is not to be ignored.
Females have been, throughout history, experiencing a variant of abuse that is, dare one says,
dehumanizing. The mere usage of the word “domestic” implies that the creature is once a feral
beast, but is tamed. A very patriarchial ideation, to treat women like animals that require a
master lest they serve no purpose to society and roam the world like a savage beast. This is very
prominent in middle eastern culture, where patriarchy seems to be the norm.

Middle eastern women are a colorful topic to discuss. Their conditions of living span from ‘up-
to-date with modern global conditions’, to that of ‘men’s trinkets’. It is true that some countries
have allowed for benefits and equal treatment, but for the purpose of this paper, we shall attempt
to focus on the injustices, but that does not have to mean that there is zero improvement on the
situation.

Women in the middle east experience living conditions where rights are limited. They started in
pre-Islamic times as being possessions, sold and bartered by guardians like they are mere
commodity. Come Islamic era, and these conditions achieve better states, although still lacking
in some aspects and delegating power mostly to the male figure of the household. For example,
while no criticism is reserved for polygamy, middle-eastern men can take multiple wives and
virtually unlimited concubines. Women are at the mercy of their husband’s beating should she
not be as subservient as he would desire. Abuse is common, but it is not always called as such as
some merely consider it natural law set forth by their religious belief. The list goes on, and
frankly, would require a separate paper just to tackle the heights of abuse alone.

While this might be more general than middle-eastern context solely, conservatives might say
that women are being respected and inherently of ‘equal status’ with men by implying that a
woman’s purpose as childbearer and for child rearing is highly lauded. But even with that
definition, there is still no justification for treating women as commodity, as second-rate humans.
Perhaps religious texts should be reinterpreted for more feminist approaches. The male gender’s
consolidation of power becomes a window for abuse.

At the end of the day, one may wonder if women in the middle-eastern region feel inherently
okay with that sort of living, pehaps due to how they are raised, or perhaps the student writing
this paper is simply having a hard time wrapping his mind around the idea that there are people
out there that are okay with this sort of inequality.
“Alright folks! That’s a wrap!”

It is important to note that cultural variation is brought about by group adaptation that enabled
them to survive in whichever condition they ended up in. Survival of the fittest is not always the
most beautiful concept, nor is it the most fair to its constituents, but it exists due to an organism’s
drive to be at the apex of evolution. Fair question though: Are humans still expected to live
traditions that existed only to secure survival? To what degree? And who must continue to suffer
for it?

Gender roles have become an outlet for shoving prejudice at. Perhaps the Native Americans had
it better by understanding the complexity of a human’s identity and existence. Maybe, if their
gender views, or something similar, managed to reach the world, disparity among gender
identities would be lessened. Maybe it’s happening as of this very moment through revolutionary
ideals that seek to liberate every man, woman and in between. Or perhaps it is the misogynistic
heteronormative ideals that will be internalized by every person and we will all be forced to live
in a mold which we will be born into and suffer the consequences for deviating.

Maybe time will tell. But it is a good idea to keep in mind that it is our actions that will sow the
seeds of what tomorrow will become; and we will be remembered in history as the generation
that did what we’ve done.

Time will, indeed, tell.