Reclaiming Gender Identity by Michelle Ramalingam
I was born into this world as a girl-child. Until I had a name of my own, I was identified solely by my sex. And even now, not much has changed. A plethora of stereotypes concerning my biological expression compel me, and others of my gender, to behave in a way that conforms to the constraints of society. Beyond being an addition to the socially deemed “insubordinate” sex, we are unable to present our identities without being categorized by words like “femme” and “masculine”. How can we identify as female without falling victim to the patriarchal laws that state that we must fall under the set of attributes termed “feminine”? A flowing, pale pink dress is instantly deemed femme, you look like a girl for once! A freshly pressed polo shirt - boyish, dress like a girl instead! Hair flowing free - girlish, why don’t you wear it like this all the time! According to Plan International, the majority of the female population report feeling judged due to the way their gender identities as women are perceived by society. We are targeted with the notion that we will never be enough for society unless we adhere to the patriarchy’s predetermined standards. And therefore, our identities are labeled and scrutinized without rest.
But if we choose to speak out, we are instantly told to be quiet, countering the very purpose of our words. Nevertheless, we will persist, for we undoubtedly know who we are, and no one else needs to. False stereotypes should not be attached to our gender, which is simply a part of our identities, not its defining factor. I ask the world to adopt a new, visionary thought process that transcends the need to categorize individuals into specified roles with designated purposes. We will take back the right to choose how we define ourselves. The gender roles preconceived by society may not willingly give us the liberty of self-expression, but I am adamant that we can reclaim our identities, for we, as women, will live unrestrained by worldly standards.
My fourteen years of life so far have been spent with this body carrying the emotional weight of being made to costume and perform, catering to the rules of what a woman should be. And if I dare laugh at the comedy of it all, in my loud and raspy cackle - unladylike, horrid! No longer do I look in the mirror and see a naive face, but one angry with the commands of being female in an imbalanced society. Everywhere I turn, gender standards are pushed upon us, trying to overtake our identities. But who am I to allow myself to be defined by others’ perception of my character? Do I limit my person to one group of traits? No, I do not think I will; there is no requirement for a link between being male or female, masculinity and femininity, and behavior. I will not become complicit in a life that limits me to one identity or another. I brush off the unsolicited comments; let them fall on unhearing ears. I laugh in the face of sexism, in my loud and raspy cackle (unladylike? horrid? no, female).
Source:
https://www.planusa.org/docs/state-of-gender-equality-summary-2018.pdf
