Is gender a social construct? In a speech last week, Britain’s leader said that people “can’t... be any sex they want to be”. Activists say his words are dangerous. Now it has sparked a conversation on the difference between sex and gender identity.
Backlash grows over 'Man is a man' speech
Is gender a social construct? In a speech last week, Britain's leader said that people "can't... be any sex they want to be". Activists say his words are dangerous. Now it has sparked a conversation on the difference between sex and gender identity.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening? </h2>
"A man is a man and a woman is a woman." People clapped as British leader Rishi Sunak spoke at a meeting for the Conservative PartyA British political party. Members are known as Tories..
There was a very different response from transgenderSomeone whose gender identity (what they feel inside) does not match the gender identity they were assigned at birth (based on their biology). rights activistsPeople who campaign for social or political change. Greta Thunberg sailed to New York for a meeting instead of flying.. They worry that his words might lead to more hate crimesA crime that is motivated by who the victim is, for example prejudice towards their race, sexuality, religion or other characteristics. against transgender people.
This debate centres around a key question: is gender based on biology or is it a social construct that can be changed?
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more </h2>
The idea that gender is a social construct means that the world around us, rather than just biology, shape gender roles and identities. This includes the behaviours and roles that we think of as being linked to being a woman or a man.
Some argue that differences in behaviour between men and women are due to biology, including hormonesChemicals created inside living creatures. They are used to send messages from one part of the body to another. such as testosteroneThe hormone that causes people to develop male sexual characteristics. Women also produce some testosterone. and oestrogenFemale sex hormones. After the menopause, these can increase the risk of cancer..
On the other hand, some argue that society takes biological differences and turns them into strict ideas about how men and women behave. These ideas about gender may not be true in many cases. And people with gender dysphoriaFeelings of discomfort or stress a person feels due to a mismatch between their gender identity and their sex assigned at birth. experience deep unhappiness because their gender identity does not match the sex they were labelled at birth.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper" id="question"><strong>Is gender a social construct?</strong></h5>
Yes! Gender roles and ideas about gender can be very different in different places. This shows that gender is based on the societies we live in.
No! Biology is still very important. The hormones testosterone and oestrogen are a major factor.
Conservative party - A British political party. Members are known as Tories.
Transgender - Someone whose gender identity (what they feel inside) does not match the gender identity they were assigned at birth (based on their biology).
Activists - People who campaign for social or political change. Greta Thunberg sailed to New York for a meeting instead of flying.
Hate crimes - A crime that is motivated by who the victim is, for example prejudice towards their race, sexuality, religion or other characteristics.
Hormones - Chemicals created inside living creatures. They are used to send messages from one part of the body to another.
Testosterone - The hormone that causes people to develop male sexual characteristics. Women also produce some testosterone.
Oestrogen - Female sex hormones. After the menopause, these can increase the risk of cancer.
Gender dysphoria - Feelings of discomfort or stress a person feels due to a mismatch between their gender identity and their sex assigned at birth.
Backlash grows over ‘Man is a man’ speech

Glossary
Conservative party - A British political party. Members are known as Tories.
Transgender - Someone whose gender identity (what they feel inside) does not match the gender identity they were assigned at birth (based on their biology).
Activists - People who campaign for social or political change. Greta Thunberg sailed to New York for a meeting instead of flying.
Hate crimes - A crime that is motivated by who the victim is, for example prejudice towards their race, sexuality, religion or other characteristics.
Hormones - Chemicals created inside living creatures. They are used to send messages from one part of the body to another.
Testosterone - The hormone that causes people to develop male sexual characteristics. Women also produce some testosterone.
Oestrogen - Female sex hormones. After the menopause, these can increase the risk of cancer.
Gender dysphoria - Feelings of discomfort or stress a person feels due to a mismatch between their gender identity and their sex assigned at birth.