Article Analysis Essay on Beyond Binaries: Depolarizing the Categories of Sex, Sexuality, and Gender

Introduction

In the article, Beyond the Binaries: Depolarizing the Categories of Sex, Sexuality, and Gender*, Judith Lorber expresses her concern for the limitations in the sociological research designs, which have not adequately challenged the conventional about gender and sex. Lorber challenges the sociological data and provides that the associated data should move away from the conventional reasoning and beliefs, and begin to accept that an individual does not necessarily have one gender and sexuality. The information presented in the article strives to address considerably controversial issues in contemporary society hence worth critical analysis for a better understanding.

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Lorber (1996) quoted, "Being situated within several mental fields at the same time, intermediate identities necessarily defy the either-or logic underlying perceived mutual exclusivity of categories, thereby questioning the very viability of the boundaries separating them from one another," (p. 143). In this context, the author argues that a society could be having people which different gender and sexes with some having intermediate characteristics, and differences occur because each group hardly accept the orientations of the other. However, what is not clear is, why the differences occur yet each group is satisfied with their gender and sex. The reason could be the belief and prejudgment that every sociological group believes in what they do and are. Besides, the people with heterogeneous features are normally minorities in the society hence are normally criticized.

The author assumes that there are several people in the society having more than one gender and sex despite the assumption of sociological endeavors. According to Lorber (1996), the effort to deconstruct the traditional idea towards gender and sexuality reveals that heterosexuality is a characteristic of many people. This assumption has some level of significance in that many societies accept sexual orientations like lesbianism. Such characteristics are only possible whereby sociology accepts that an individual can exhibit more than one gender and sexual-based behaviors. This shapes the work because the author gives considerable examples of situations in the real world society whereby relativism influences every action. Every individual is allowed to embrace and practice their preferred sexual orientation and there are even movements, which emerge to popularize and support their interests. The assumption, therefore, contributes to deconstructing of the limiting way of understanding gender and sexuality.

The work has some limitations; in spite of the significant critique of the role of sociological research design. The work does not include the implications of uncovering the instances of the hetero-gender and sexes. The author would have acknowledged the fact that even if the people of the distinguished features become popular, they will still face some criticisms since boundaries exist based on beliefs and practices. This also serves as a considerable aspect which was not fully covered leaving a gap and making the context not fully understood. It would have been better if the author considered this aspect since there is a possibility of the emergence of social constructs.

Nevertheless, the text presents a great piece of information generally. This is because it tries to shape the direction and approach to arguments regarding the controversial societal issue. The author provides that as much as there are many with the conventional gender and sex, sociological research have the obligation of going an extra mile to determine the occurrence and implications of a mix of these characteristics.

References

Lorber, J. (1996). Beyond the Binaries: Depolarizing the Categories of Sex, Sexuality, and Gender. Sociological Inquiry, 66(2), 143-160. Doi: 10.1111/j.1475-682x.1996.tb00214.x