The perception of gender across cultures raises the question of whether male and female behavior and mannerisms are learned or innate. The debate over nature and nurture arises in many societies and is challenged by communities with more than two genders or groups that do not adhere to the binary system. One may argue that a certain degree of gender differentiation depends on nature – transgender and cisgender people often understand their gender identity as something inherent.
For instance, although brought up in one way, transgender people may experience “dysphoria” when their outward appearance and social role do not correspond to what they feel inside (Ygender, 2018). In the video about the Samoan Fa’afafine, one of the speakers, Leo, addresses societal pressure to adopt feminine traits and roles while not feeling a connection to this gender (SBS The Feed, 2013). His inherent desire to perform masculine mannerisms arose from not wanting to follow cultural traditions and creating his own perception of masculinity.
Nevertheless, the differentiation between femininity and masculinity also heavily relies on social and cultural perceptions. The definitions of what is considered to be feminine vary across cultures. In the case of Fa’afafine, the female gender role is tied to household chores and family responsibilities (SBS The Feed, 2013). However, in India, many Hijras – often considered the third gender –leave their families and live in a separate community (Nanda, 2015). Their behavior and interaction with others depend on nurture and how these individuals are treated within society.
For some, the mannerisms are learned, as many Fa’afafine accept the assigned role imposed by their mothers and are comfortable with both male and female characteristics. For others, these behaviors are an expression of their inner self – many hijras note that they had to escape because they were abused for their non-conforming gender presentation. Overall, the combination of nature and nurture affects the differences in behavior, and each person’s interaction with their culture creates unique experiences and behavioral patterns.
References
Nanda, S. (2015). The hijras: An alternative gender in India. In E. Angeloni (Ed.), Annual editions: Anthropology, 39/e (pp. 127-134). McGraw-Hill Education.
SBS The Feed. (2013). Fa’afafine: Samoan boys raised as girls. YouTube.
Ygender. (2018). Trans 101: The basics. YouTube.