TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Gender vs. Sex From:Kim Tedrow <roseread -at- AOL -dot- COM> Date:Mon, 11 Apr 1994 20:00:07 EDT
Perhaps it might be helpful to distinguish the difference between "sex" and
"gender.
My understanding from my introduction to Women's Studies Course in the mid
'80s made this distinction clear. "Sex" refers to biology. "Gender" refers
to attributes usually assigned to, but not limited to, a particular sex. I
find it really necessary to keep that in mind when there are discussion of
"gender" attibutes towards something that doesn't HAVE a sex. Electrical
plugs and plug-ins, for instance. Thus, we can talk about gender in language
as arbitrary, and still not get into some kind of political debate around
sexism. (However, we can talk about sexism when we talk about who has the
*authority* to ascribe gender to ANYTHING.....)
Just thought I'd throw my hat into the ring. Based on the time I've taken
reading my mail around all of this, I hope I don't provoke TOO many replies.
