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Understanding Sex and Gender

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Gender and Sexual Diversity in Schools

Part of the book series: Explorations of Educational Purpose ((EXEP,volume 10))

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Abstract

This chapter introduces the reader to important cultural and scientific terms and concepts that are central to developing a deeper understanding of issues related to sex and gender. I explain the differences between the two terms and the difficulties that arise when they are used incorrectly. Terms that are defined and explored related to the category of sex include male, female, transsexual, and intersex. Terms that are defined in the section exploring gender include man, woman, transgender, two-spirit, and genderqueer. This is then followed by presenting various psychological models of identity development along with a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of these models. The chapter concludes with a brief exploration of some of the issues that might arise in the elementary and secondary setting in terms of sex and gender.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    This work was originally published under the name Robert Connell, however she now goes by Raewyn and uses feminine pronouns.

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Correspondence to Elizabeth J. Meyer .

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Meyer, E.J. (2010). Understanding Sex and Gender. In: Gender and Sexual Diversity in Schools. Explorations of Educational Purpose, vol 10. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8559-7_2

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