Androgyny
Androgyny refers to the blending of male and female characteristics, manifesting in various forms across different contexts. This can include individuals exhibiting a mix of personality traits typically associated with both genders or possessing both male and female reproductive organs. Physically, androgynous individuals, often referred to as intersex, may display physical traits of both sexes from birth, categorized into four main types: 46 XX Intersex, 46 XY Intersex, True Gonadal Intersex, and Complex/Undetermined Intersex. Historically, surgical interventions were common to "correct" physical androgyny, though this practice is now controversial, with many advocating for the autonomy of individuals in determining their gender identity.
Beyond physical attributes, androgyny also encompasses behavioral and psychological dimensions, where individuals may adopt traits or roles outside traditional gender expectations. Society’s evolving perception of gender roles has led to greater acceptance of androgynous behaviors, encouraging individuals to express themselves beyond binary limitations. Psychological androgyny is associated with traits like creativity and originality, suggesting that such individuals may engage with the world from diverse perspectives. Overall, androgyny presents a nuanced understanding of gender, challenging conventional norms and fostering a more inclusive dialogue around identity.
Androgyny
Androgyny is the combination of male and female characteristics. Many species are androgynous and androgyny can take a variety of forms. For example, in some cases, an androgynous individual may present some of the personality traits normally associated with the opposite sex. In other cases, an androgynous individual may simultaneously display the reproductive organs of both sexes.
Physical Androgyny
A physically androgynous individual, also called an intersex individual, displays some of the physical characteristics of both sexes. While this condition is normally apparent from birth, some individuals may never realize that they have internal intersex features.
Intersex individuals are classified into four categories: 46 XX Intersex, 46 XY Intersex, True Gonadal Intersex, and Complex/Undetermined Intersex. 46 XX Intersex individuals are genetically female and have internal female reproductive organs but have a male's external genitalia. 46 XX Intersex may be caused by a variety of factors including excess male hormones encountered during pregnancy, male hormone-producing ovarian tumors, or congenital adrenal hyperplasia, which limits the adrenal gland's ability to produce certain hormones. 46 XX Intersex may also be caused by an aromatase deficiency, which causes low levels of the female hormone estrogen and increased levels of the male hormone testosterone. In this circumstance, 46 XX Intersex may not be visible until puberty. Mothers who give birth to a 46 XX Intersex child should be checked for ovarian tumors.
Individuals with 46 XY Intersex are genetically male. However, they have incomplete, ambiguous-sex, or female external genitalia. Unlike 46 XX Intersex individuals, 46 XY Intersex individuals' internal reproductive organs may be malformed or entirely absent. 46 XY Intersex may be caused by several conditions including problems with testosterone production and androgen insensitivity syndrome (testicular feminization).
True Gonadal Intersex is characterized by fully formed ovarian and testicular tissue. In some circumstances, individuals with True Gonadal Intersex have one ovary and one teste. In others, the testes and ovaries are combined into one hybrid organ, called an ovotestis. In this circumstance, external genitals may be ambiguous, or appear traditionally male or female.
Lastly, some intersex individuals are diagnosed with Complex/Undermined/Intersex. This is an umbrella category for a variety of lesser-known chromosome-based sexual disorders. Many of these disorders involve individuals with an extra chromosome. While these disorders do not cause physical alterations in the genitalia, they cause problems with sexual development and hormone levels.
Despite the recent influx of knowledge about Intersex disorders, many cases of Intersex disorders are never studied enough to conclusively determine their cause. Individuals who suspect they may suffer from one of these disorders, or any other related abnormality, should consult their doctor.
Androgyny and Surgery
In the past, physical androgyny was often corrected through surgery, which usually took place shortly after birth. Doctors believed that individuals incapable of taking part in sexual intercourse would be unable to lead happy, fulfilling lives. Thus, doctors assigned the baby a gender and surgically constructed genitals to reflect this gender.
Such surgeries to correct intersex disorders are now extremely controversial. Many adults who underwent these surgeries have publicly claimed to resent the gender chosen for them or the fact that a gender was chosen for them at all. Activist groups have claimed these surgeries are a form of child abuse and have strongly campaigned against them. Studies have also shown psychological effects from early surgery without the child's input on their gender. For this reason, infantile surgeries to correct intersex disorders are becoming increasingly rare. Many physicians instead wait for the child to have a say in the decision unless it is medically necessary to intervene earlier.
Behavioral and Psychological Androgyny
Behavioral and psychological androgyny have little to do with anatomy but instead involve society’s gender roles. Most societies have separate behavioral expectations for men and women involving appearance, such as the type of clothing a person wears as well as his or her hairstyle. They might also have gender expectations for speech, posture, and even type of employment. Neither behavioral androgyny nor psychological androgyny has been shown to be associated with sexual orientation.
Behaviorally, androgynous people eschew conventional gender roles. They choose to behave as a male in some aspects of their life and a female in other aspects. Examples include women who take jobs in traditionally male fields, as well as men who dress in skirts. Societal gender roles are fluid, and tend to change over time. Modern scientists believe that society has begun to praise and encourage behavioral androgyny, which may lead to the eventual breakdown of gender roles. Television, film, and music stars who dress in a manner normally associated with the opposite sex are commonly cited as examples of this phenomenon.
A psychologically androgynous person exhibits psychological and personality traits normally attributed to both sexes, such as an extremely aggressive woman in a culture where men are considered the more aggressive gender. According to scientific studies, psychologically androgynous features are associated with creativity, artistic expression, originality, and courage. Scientists theorize that psychologically androgynous individuals are able to analyze subjects from a wider variety of perspectives than their more traditional peers.
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