Episode 58: Gender Theory For Parents – An Introduction

In recent times, whenever we give talks to parents, we have often been asked about so-called “gender theory”, and how we are to approach it as Catholic parents.

Over the next few episodes, we will do just that, as we delve into this topic through the lens of science and faith.

Before we begin the discussion proper, it is important to differentiate between the ideology and the person who experiences gender dysphoria, often in a very painful way.

As Mother Church constantly reminds us, we must “reaffirm that every person, regardless of sexual orientation, ought to be respected in his or her dignity and treated with consideration.” (Amoris Laetitia, no. 250)

Therefore, “they must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2358)

Root words

Here we will discuss the etymology of the word “gender” as well as the concept of “Gender Theory”. Following this, we will discuss related topics such as how gender theory came about, disorders of sex development, why the Church says what it says about “gender theory”, how we can journey with those who experience gender dysphoria, and so on.

Historically, the word “gender” comes from the Latin word “generare”. The root “Gen-” means to “give birth, beget”.

A person’s gender, therefore, is based on the manner in which that person is designed to generate (or beget) new life, whether as a male or a female.

Consider words like: Genesis, Genetics, Genealogy, Progeny, Genitals

This explains why, historically speaking, a person’s gender was determined by the genitals that he or she had. In other words, gender = sex.

If we think about it, up till today, many forms that we fill continue to use these two terms interchangeably, whether it be for immigration, for admission to schools, for employment and so on. As another example, I see this in the laboratory forms I fill in for my patients every day. Some ask for the sex of the patient. Others ask for the gender. The labs actually refer to the same thing, whether the patient is male or female. The reason why knowing the sex or “gender” of the patient is important is because, biologically and physiologically speaking, the normal range of values for various blood parameters are different for both males and females.

In English grammar, “gender” has also been used to indicate whether a particular noun or pronoun is masculine, feminine, or neuter. Masculine examples include king, prince, stallion, buck, cockerel. Feminine counterparts include queen, princess, mare, doe, and hen. Neuter terms refer to objects such as microphone, car, stone and computers.

Subjective interpretation?

Having introduced the etymology of the word “gender”, we shall now discuss what the term “Gender Theory” means.

Basically, it refers to the theory that “Gender” is merely a social construct. It does not depend so much on a person’s biological sex as it does on how he or she feels internally.

According to this theory, gender is a broad spectrum from male to female, and a person may identify at any point within this spectrum or outside of it entirely, e.g. transgender, nonbinary, or even gender-neutral, which is in a sense outside this spectrum.

People then express their gender identity through how they present themselves to the outside world, whether it is through the use of certain preferred pronouns, clothing, haircut, behaviour, voice, or other body characteristics.

— “Sex and gender: What is the difference?“, MedicalNewsToday

As we can see, the problem here is that the term “gender” is not quite clear, nor properly understood according to a universally accepted definition. Besides, the feeling of being “masculine” or “feminine” is based on rather stereotypical ideas of what a male or female is supposed to be.

If men are supposed to be tall, hunky, go out for regular nights out with other guys to drink beer and hardly help with looking after the kids at home, I would hardly qualify as one. I am sure that you would agree that men come in all sorts of shapes and heights and sizes, and with all sorts of interests and personalities.

Without a proper universal and objective understanding of the term “gender”, it can and has indeed been used in a myriad of subjective ways according to how various individuals or groups want to present their case.

Given the confusion and controversy surrounding the use of the word “gender”, many doctors and professionals now prefer to just use the term “sex”, that is, whether one is biologically male or female.

Next, we will explore how “gender theory” came about.