Through binary goggles is how we have been taught to see the world. We have learned that everything is supposed to be in very separate categories that have nothing to do with each other. People, however, are not that cut and dry, we are very complex beings. We live by a very ‘strict’ set of rules that given our day to day lives. These rules are based on assumptions that are rooted souls in our biology. Because of the chromosomes, hormones, genitalia we are given a sex/gender and once we are given this we must live by the rules that go along with that category. Society prescribes a set of characteristics called the sex/gender system that translates our biology into human activity. However, this activity is very male dominant and heteronormative. Society being so male driven, unfortunately, can make life harder for women. In certain professions even if they are female dominant, if a man gets the job he tends to make more than the women. This is referred to as the glass escalator.
Earlier this evening I was talking to my sister and brother-in-law about this class and the different things that I am learning. Both my sister and brother are cisgender straight individuals. In our conversation I was explain how it can be confusing sometimes to understand others and how they identify and what their gender is. My brother said that he also doesn’t understand because their are only two genders. My sister then said she agreed and doesn’t know where it will end. In the reading it specifically speaks on cisgender people not understanding. It can be easy to just think that because something has been a certain way for so long and it has always been so simple, that that is just the way it should always be. It is hard to step outside your comfort zone and acknowledge there are so many differences in humanity and that we as beings are so complex. Overall this was an interesting ebook. I learned a lot and although I still cannot wrap my mind around a lot, I am interested to know more.
