Question

3. Based on the passage (passage is below), which of the following types of social identities do transsexuals try to express through their self-presentation?

I. Sexual orientation

II. Gender

III. Biological sex

A. I only

B. II only

C. III only

D. II and II

Relevant part of the passage: "The first issue that individuals face is the presentation of self. Individuals use external and internal indicators to publicly show others that they would like to be treated differently from their past selves. For example, transsexuals, who identify with a gender that is opposite of their biological sex, alter their clothes and mannerisms based on what they believe society considers acceptable of the sex they want to convey in their new role. It is the responsibility of others in society to recognize the individual's new identity through the newly acquired props and mannerisms the individual employs."

Correct Answer=B

I changed my answer from B to C after reading " acceptable of the sex they want to convey in their new role"

I understand that sex=biological and gender=social and that transexuals can identify with either gender, sex or both. But the question asks what the passage supports, and I thought it was saying both. I'm wondering if I have a concept error or if I'm just reading that sentence wrong?

Answer 1

The answer is definitely B) Gender

As mentioned in question sex is a biological concept and gender a social concept. Sex is determined by birth,as in case of transexuals as well as others.However gender is what we as a society think should characterize a biological sex,but in case of transexuals it doesn't and society should accept this difference.

Basically, if we read this sentence carefully,

"transsexuals, who identify with a gender that is opposite of their biological sex, alter their clothes and mannerisms based on what they believe society considers acceptable of the sex they want to convey in their new role." ,the bold and underlined words are the definition of what we know as gender. So the use of the words sex is not alone,it is used to explain another concept of what society thinks.