How Fuzzy Is Sex?

The answer has to do with more than the last time you shaved your legs.

Sex isn’t just about curly hair, but it helps - image via Dainis Graveris on Unsplash

Last week, I reviewed several conversations I had in the past four months. Although reviewing past work helps me plan future work, its greater value is to remind me where to hone my arguments - to find where I was wrong and to correct it. Since I began writing last October, there has been clear evolution in my thought and message. What I believed I wanted to say has changed - for the better, I hope!

One conversation I had was with a biologist about the definition of "sex." He was adamant that sex is very clearly defined. My argument was that genetics is not clearly defined, and as a result, sex is "fuzzy." We were both right - sex is well-defined and genetics is not well-defined. Where we disagreed is the level at which to observe the effect.

The biologist's definition of sex is only half the story of a species. Because I intend to return to an exploration of evolution (as a result of reviewing two other conversations), I want to correct where I have been vague in my explanation of sex, gender, and their impact both individually and socially.

Is the definition of sex "fuzzy?" Why does it matter? Can we ever equate sex and gender? Given the current political environment, clear and scientific answers to these questions are more critical than ever.