by Author Name Withheld 126

Created on: September 14, 2009   Last Updated: September 18, 2009

The first issue that must be addressed with the subject of gender is what exactly are biological and mental identities. Biological identities form because an organism has evolved to ideally serve a specific role. These identifies involve clear physical distinction and specific ritual and seasonal mating.

To clarify this issue, many organisms are identifiable specifically by the distinction of gender. In these cases, the two genders could be confused by the novice observer as two separate species. Creatures like the black widow spider have a great variance of size, appearance, and function between genders. In such instances, there is often no social function within the species; thus, reproduction is the only force that bonds these creatures.

In such instances, there are rituals that revolve around mating. The female chooses a mate. The function of this process is specific to the evolution of the creature. The larger female cannot be forced to succumb and will sustain nutrition from the male. There are also seasons of reproduction that adhere to environmental and instinctual factors that are biological in nature. In essence, all attributes of gender and interaction are based on biological necessities revolving around reproduction.

Dolphins, however, have no secondary sexual traits. There is no visual sign of gender. It is only internally that they exist as male or female. Unlike the previous example, there is no specific mating period or ritual. Sexual activity is also not distinct to opposite genders. Masturbation and homosexual activity occurs. These attributes occur in social species to develop the mental attribute of closeness and intimacy.

Intimacy is developed socially between all members rather than biologically limited to cross gender interactions. Keep in mind that this applies specifically to gender and mating. Intimacy is biological in nature, but not in terms of gender for such organisms. This becomes an important distinction when moving on to primates. The biological union of higher mammals is social rather than gender based.

A group of primates, imagine gorillas, does not exist as a single family unit. It is not specifically the distinction of gender that has created the identify of the group. While there is clear evidence of secondary sexual features for these creatures, it must be considered how firm these limits are applied biologically. Is the role of gender based on situational and social actions that are mentally developed?

In the case of

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