GENDER: “[mass noun] The state of being male or female (typically used with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones)”
If we look for the definition of gender in the dictionaries today, we will find a description of gender as a binary concept, consisting of two rigidly fixed options, male or female, in what seems a static and monolithic representation of genders.
What about other genders, the gender spectrum, and other possible ways of representing gender, and sex, in a more nuanced and authentic model of human beings?
There seem to be no space for these in the dictionaries, yet.
BOSSY could be indeed helpful for bringing the dictionaries up to date, and even for a lot more: it is a place for reflection, action, interaction, and a means to support a grassroots involvement.
But why should gender be at the centre of our reflections, actions and interactions today? Hasn’t everything already been said on the topic?
We argue that the debate is still open and should be widened. Always.
Here are 3 reasons why:
1. It is time to move on from the essentialist conception of gender categories that considers genders as unalterable facts and ‘the nature of things’, to finally embrace a view of gender as a social construction. Gender is a dynamic construct that constantly evolves and changes through people’s behaviours, discourses and everyday experiences. Today’s genders, as well as gender roles and expectations, are different from what they used to be in the past, and, for sure, are different from what they will be in the future. Understanding of gender also varies across cultures. Through the identification, observation and comparison of the circulating ideas around gender, across space and time, it is possible to give voice to different ways of being men and women, and to offer a variety of role models that are currently lacking.
2. It is time to move on from a ‘differentiating’ ideology, where women and men are considered essentially different (‘traditional’ positions) and a ‘non-differentiating’ ideology, where gender makes no difference and women and men are considered basically similar (‘non-traditional’ positions), to embrace the concept of ‘diversity’: acknowledging that all individuals are different and unique, and that they must have equal rights.
3. A lot of talking about feminism happened this year, both for and against it: from the celebrities self-describing themselves as feminists (see Beyoncé quoting Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie), to the “women against feminism” movement. As gender experts we believe we have still a long way to go. It is time to clarify that talking about gender does not mean talking only about women and women’s issues. It actually means speaking of women, of men and of all the 50 shades of genders that we encounter in our lives. It means spotting similarities and differences between genders and within genders. It means talking about human rights. We are in need of projects aiming at fostering the idea that gender is not “a women thing”, because it concerns everyone everyday, and therefore, should draw everyone’s attention.
We are sure that a project like BOSSY will highlight different ways of being men and women, ways that are distant from the stereotypes that too often limit us in predefined behaviours, attitudes and career paths.
But you have to do your part and start reflecting, acting, and interacting.
So let’s be bossy, together.
Elisabetta Camussi & Alice Gritti
[Elisabetta Camussi is Associate Professor of Social Psychology at the University of Milano-Bicocca, where she teaches the course of ‘Social Psychology of Differences and Inequalities’.
Alice Gritti holds a PhD in Social Psychology from the University of Milano-Bicocca. Her research focuses on gender and international aid workers.
Their shared research interests cover a wide range of gender studies topics including birth stories, women’s bodies and children’s gender identity.]
I’m so happy that the things in Italy are finally moving on and I’m even happier for the the birth of initiatives like that one.
There are a lot of people who were and are bullied every day, they hafta walk like invisible people only ’cause they are afraid of dyin’ only because they are who they are.
It’s seriously horrible, unbalanced and insane that there are politics who think only because you are a woman or gay etc you don’t have to claim equal rights.
Keep fighting!