Gender Identity: Non-binary & Gender Fluidity (AQA A Level Psychology): Revision Note

Non-binary identity

• According to Monro (2019), 'non-binary' is a catch-all term that refers to people who do not experience or desire a gender identity, or whose identity falls outside of, or is in between male and female at different times

  • The earliest use of this term was around 2000

  • Genderqueer and non-binary identities share ‘dis-identification’ with rigid gender binaries (Monro, 2019)

  • Some youths with a non-binary gender identity do not identify as transgender (The Lancet Review, 2020)

Non-binary gender identity statistics

• Estimates of the number of non-binary people vary

  • According to official statistics, the proportion of the UK population who define as non-binary when given a choice between male, female and another option is 0.4%, which is 1 in 250 people (Titman, 2014)

  • The Government and Equalities Office (2018) found that of the 14,320 responses from trans people, almost 52% identified as non–binary

  • However, Nieder et al. (2018), in a comprehensive review, found that 80% of trans people identify as male or female, leaving 20% of individuals with an identity that falls outside or between male and female identities

Measuring the prevalence of non-binary identity

• The 2021 Census was the first time the Office for National Statistics (ONS) collected data on gender identity

• It was a voluntary question asked of respondents aged 16 and over

• 45.7 million (94.0%) of the population aged 16 years and over answered the question

  • 45.4 million (93.5%) answered 'yes'

  • 262,000 (0.5%) answered 'no'

  • 30,000 (0.06%) identified as non-binary

  • The remaining 2.9 million (6.0%) did not answer the question

• The question used in the survey has been criticised, as some people found the question confusing and gave a response that did not reflect their gender identity

• The ONS recognises that the statistics for gender identity are still being developed, which means they're not final and the way they're measured is still being improved.

Cross-cultural studies of gender identity

• Globally, many cultures recognise gender identities beyond the binary

• Many non-Western cultures have embraced multigender systems where gender identities other than man/woman are recognised

  • Research demonstrates that gender is fluid and that gender roles, identities, and expectations are socially constructed rather than solely based on biology

Hijra (India)

• In India, Hijra are members of a traditional third gender community and are the most common non-binary identity recognised today

• Hijras have a long history in South Asia and are found in Hindu religious texts

• Many hijras are born with male sexual characteristics

• The hijra are underpinned by a unique culture; for example, they often leave home to join groups where they are educated in spirituality

• There is a common belief that hijras possess the power to bless or curse others

• In 2014, India's Supreme Court recognised transgender people as a third gender

Muxes (Oaxaca, Mexico)

• In the southern state of Oaxaca, there are three genders: female, male and muxe

• A third gender is accepted among the community, and the inclusion of the identity in the culture and its traditions

• Muxes are assigned male at birth but dress and behave in ways associated with women

• Muxes have been celebrated since pre-Hispanic times and are not forced to adopt a binary world view

The Bugis people (South Sulawesi, Indonesia)

• The Bugis people of South Sulawesi recognise several genders beyond the binary

  • Calalai: a biological female who presents in 'masculine' ways, such as cutting their hair short and dressing in men’s clothes

    • They also take on a social position similar to men

  • Calabai: biological males who adopt a role similar to that traditionally occupied by women

    • They don’t identify as women, reject the restrictions that women experience, and do not have their sexual characteristics altered

  • Bissu: this gender surpasses other genders and embodies the totality of masculinity and femininity

    • They embody a spiritual role and are believed to bridge the gap between this earthly world and the divine

Gender fluid identity

• Gender fluidity challenges the view that gender is binary and fixed

• A gender fluid identity falls under the non-binary description above

  • There is, currently, no standard definition of 'gender fluid' therefore, people may use the term differently

• According to Katz-Wise (2020)

  • Gender fluidity is unfixed and dynamic

  • A person's gender expression and/or gender identity changes over time

  • For some individuals, gender fluidity may be a way to explore gender before establishing a more stable gender expression or identity

  • For others, gender fluidity may continue indefinitely

• People may wish to express their gender fluidity through their clothes, makeup, hairstyles, voice, and pronouns

  • Non-binary adolescents may express more fluidity of their gender (Doyle, 2022)

  • Gender identity exploration and expression look different for every individual and can evolve across an individual's lifespan

• Katz-Wise et al. (2023) note that there is limited research focusing exclusively on gender fluidity