Assigned gender

Assigned gender or birth gender refers to the gender that is initially identified and assigned to an individual at birth, typically based on the appearance of external genitalia. This assignment is then used for social and legal identification throughout an individual's life, unless they choose to transition.

Definition

Assigned gender is determined by medical professionals, usually at birth, based on physical characteristics such as genitalia. This is often recorded on the birth certificate and becomes the individual's legal gender. In most societies, assigned gender is binary, either male or female, and is expected to align with the individual's gender identity and gender role.

Assigned gender and gender identity

While assigned gender is typically based on physical characteristics, gender identity refers to an individual's internal sense of their own gender. For many people, their gender identity aligns with their assigned gender, a state referred to as cisgender. However, some individuals may identify with a gender different from their assigned gender, and these individuals are often referred to as transgender.

Controversies

There are controversies surrounding the concept of assigned gender, particularly in relation to intersex individuals and those who identify as transgender. Critics argue that assigning a binary gender at birth can cause harm to those who later identify as a different gender or who do not fit neatly into the binary categories of male or female.

See also

• Gender dysphoria
• Genderqueer
• Non-binary gender
• Sex assignment
• Transgender rights