Androgyny refers to the presentation of both masculine and feminine characteristics within the same individual. The term androgyny can signify the self-presentation of one’s appearance and one’s gender identity. Before the 1970s, psychologists always perceived femininity and masculinity as two opposites on a unidimensional axis (Dean & Tate, 2016). They considered this dichotomy essential to explain the behavioral and personality differences between men and women. However, in the early 1970s, a new concept emerged, stating that any individual irrespective of gender can vary independently on the female and male scale of identity (Dean & Tate, 2016). Previously, psychologists linked presenting as a feminine woman or a masculine man was with stable mental health (Dean & Tate, 2016). The emerging psychological theory contradicted this paradigm by stating that displaying psychological androgyny traits were of a more significant benefit (Dean & Tate, 2016). Nowadays, the flexibility of gender identity is gaining acceptance within both the general public and the psychology community. As such, the concept of androgyny will directly affect the revaluation and revision of previously concrete psychological theories based on the binary definition of gender.
Gender identity refers to the self-perception of one’s gender and can either be the same or differ from biological sex. The perception of one’s gender has a direct effect on the development of a person’s personality. Many individuals report anxiety associated with social ostracism and the pressure to conform to established gender norms (Dean & Tate, 2016). Additionally, children with dysphoric gender identity often report high levels of distress and low self-esteem due to the external and internal pressures to conform (Pauletti et al., 2016). As a result, they regulate their behaviors in an attempt to adjust culturally and socially.
Research in children shows that the understanding of their assigned gender influences children’s self-socialization. The factors that can affect social development include feelings of inferiority or superiority compared to another gender and the pressure to conform to established gender norms. A 2016 study in children attempted to link gender perception to the child’s self-esteem, internalized problems, gender-normative traits, and sexist attitudes (Pauletti et al., 2016). Androgynous children, who perceived themselves as similar to both males and females, displayed fewer sexist beliefs, less pressure to conform, and higher self-esteem (Pauletti et al., 2016). Gender-typical children or children who struggled to identify with a particular gender reported low adjustment and felt pressure for gender conformity (Pauletti et al., 2016). Additionally, they correlated with at least one other variable: low self-esteem, high internalized distress, and sexist ideologies (Pauletti et al., 2016). These findings suggest that self-perceived androgyny had a positive effect on the development and mental health of children.
The authors further argue that androgyny is not the desire to achieve a gender duality (feeling equally feminine or masculine). Instead, it is the absence of a desire to conform to established gender roles (Pauletti et al., 2016). Androgynous individuals often score high on creativity, self-satisfaction, and cognitive independence (Dean & Tate, 2016). Creativity is associated with openness to experiences, acceptance of opposites, and flexibility. One could argue that the desire to eliminate gender boundaries opens the individuals to more full experiences and allows for behavioral flexibility that can prove useful in many social situations. As a result, these individuals report more positive outcomes on life satisfaction and a more secure sense of identity. More diverse life experiences can manifest themselves in the desire for creative expression, which, in turn, also leads to better mental health outcomes and a more developed personality.
One cannot ignore the positive psychological and personality outcomes associated with androgyny. The rigidity of traditional gender norms often leads to anxiety, an unstable sense of self, and low social adaptation. On the contrary, balancing the duality of feminine-masculine within a person can create lead to a more stable sense of self. As a result, psychological practices should incorporate these notions into personality psychological research and the design of relevant support strategies.
References
Dean, M. L., & Tate, C. C. (2016). Extending the Legacy of Sandra Bem: Psychological Androgyny as a Touchstone Conceptual Advance for the Study of Gender in Psychological Science. Sex Roles, 76(11–12), 643–654.
Pauletti, R. E., Menon, M., Cooper, P. J., Aults, C. D., & Perry, D. G. (2016). Psychological Androgyny and Children’s Mental Health: A New Look with New Measures. Sex Roles, 76(11–12), 705–718.