Does Transgenderism Enforce Stereotypes?
by Perry Hall
Is transgenderism a modern take on masculinity and femininity? Or does transgenderism enforce stereotypes?
Briefly, I will argue that affirming the fluidity of personality, rather than gender, gives individuals more freedom to express their authentic selves. Conversely, transgenderism gives people less freedom of expression to be their true selves. It is not as counter-culture as it appears because it binds people to certain stereotypical identifying gender markers.
First, a caveat. This is addressing just one aspect of transgenderism, which covers those who think they are the opposite of their biological sex based on how they feel or think. A male might feel feminine and, therefore, based on cultural markers of femininity, believe he is a woman.
Biblical manhood, for example, does not separate sex from gender, and allows for men to have various degrees of culturally defined masculinity. The perfect examples are Esau and Jacob. Esau was a "man's man", a man of the field. Jacob preferred his mother’s lifestyle of staying home. Both were still men.
"When the boys grew up, Esau became an expert hunter, an outdoorsman, but Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home" (Genesis 25:27 CSB).
In contrast to transgenderism, the biblical and historical consensus is that one's gender is the same as one's biological sex. This truth is filled with self-expression because the spectrum of personality can vary widely. A man can have fewer "manly" traits as defined by society and culture, and yet still be a man. Society doesn't define; society must bend to and accept who the individual is. The individual is not defined by social norms.
Caveat: There are various arguments used by Transgender Advocates, and the above is not designed to meet every argument head-on. Its purpose is singular: If anyone allows culture to be the identifying marker, then that person loses their right to self-determination.
Let's set this up by logically affirming the transgender position so that we can then test it.
Syllogism 1: The Distinction of Gender and Sex
This standard categorical syllogism defines gender as distinct from biological sex.
Premise 1: Biological sex is determined by biology, while gender is defined by socially and culturally constructed roles.
Premise 2: Transgender advocates argue that gender is defined by socially and culturally constructed roles, while sex is biological.
Conclusion: Therefore, transgender advocates argue that gender is separate and different from biological sex.
Syllogism 2: The Basis of Transgender Identification
This hypothetical or conditional syllogism uses the valid argument form known as Modus Ponens (If P, then Q. P. Therefore, Q) to reach the final conclusion.
Premise 1: If a person identifies by gender rather than biological sex, then they identify by socially and culturally constructed roles.
Premise 2: A transgender advocate identifies according to gender rather than biological sex.
Conclusion: Therefore, a transgender advocate identifies according to socially and culturally constructed roles.
The above syllogisms validly set up the argument that supposedly frees a person from their biology to identify by their mind (a version of the ancient heresy known as Gnosticism). They feel or think they are the opposite gender. A necessary question is: what is the determinative base that defines femininity or masculinity? It is the culture in which they live, whether that "culture" is microscopic or national. This is why transgender advocates can't answer the question, "What is a woman?" with scientific certainty.
I have cited biblical evidence, so next is anecdotal evidence. I counseled a young man transitioning out of his transgender lifestyle. Upon leaving that identity, he became ostracized by those with whom he had shared transgender views and living quarters. I asked him what the causative force behind his journey into an "alternative lifestyle" was. It was his father mocking him for having what his father considered feminine traits. He liked to cook in the kitchen. He was a "Jacob"!
"Once when Jacob was cooking a stew, Esau came in from the field exhausted" (Genesis 25:29 CSB).
What is clear in this sociological and biblical discussion is that gender and sex should not be judged on any fluidity chart or spectrum. Personality can be. Personality gives you the freedom to not conform to cultural norms for gender and sex. A real man can be in the kitchen cooking while a real woman is outside using her power tools! Personality lets us be our authentic selves.
Men and women have the freedom to be true men and women and not be defined by culture's stereotypes of masculinity and femininity. Biblical manhood and womanhood set us free.
