Challenging Binary Ideology
Introduction
The binary ideology assumes that every individual must be either feminine or masculine and identify themselves as a man or a boy and a woman or a girl. The binary ideology is not a natural or biological phenomenon but rather a culturally constructed method of grouping individuals according to their biological orientations and characteristics. Everyone experiences binary or duality ideologies through the society to which they have been raised in or the culture one has been exposed to (Kang et.al, 2017). The world is a diverse place and minimizing it to only male and female is not inclusive because different sexual orientations are emerging in many contemporary societies. By cultivating the binary ideology, people who identify themselves otherwise are alienated and their visibility blurred. Challenging binary ideology improves the visibility of others who do not conform to the binary system because binaries are a component of a complex system in all areas of our existence and our need for categorization should not outweigh our value for social inclusion and diversity.
Arguments to support the above proposition
Gender binary
Culturally, people have been categorized as either males or females based on their biological components, preferences, and other major capacities. Sexual preference is also determined by the gender which one is attracted to. Heterosexuality is often regarded as the natural or normal sexual orientation and other people with other sexual orientation are labelled deviants and abnormal (Rahilly, 2015). According to research by several anthropologists, gender is just a cultural creation and innovation which constitutes the roles ones perform or assume and learn. Assuming the male and female identity can be done theoretically and therefore, one should be accorded the freedom to choose.
The society should also be open-minded and accommodating of one’s sexual orientation. Recognizing only the binary system blurs the visibility of the people who do not identify themselves as heterosexuals. As mentioned earlier, the binary ideology is a part of a complex universal system; logically, everything cannot automatically fall under the dualistic classification of the universe. Therefore, society needs to acknowledge other people who do not conform to the binary ideology since all human beings are entitled to equal rights and freedoms.
Social construction
Social constructionism theory argues that gender roles are created by the culture and society. The roles are classified as ideal, normal, or natural to a specific gender. Violating the embedded system is regarded deviant or even criminal in some societies. Binary ideology lead to discrimination especially towards people who do not conform to the socially-acceptable sexual orientation, that is, heterosexuality. The binary ideology ignores the fact that there can also be moderate or neutral aspects of gender (Kang et.al, 2017). The society should be open-minded to the idea of moderatism and cultivate social inclusivity for the people who do not identify themselves as heterosexuals.
Challenging the binary ideology enables the society to appreciate the people who do not conform to the socially accepted sexual orientation. By challenging the binary ideology, society sees the world as a complex unit which consists of many parts and eventually learn to appreciate each individual identity rather than mere categorization. The contemporary society should not be so blind to assume that a person will naturally have particular political interests, needs, concerns, sexual orientation, or assume a certain role because they have a particular biological makeup.
Ableism
In many cultures, a person who is functioning normally physically and mentally is considered complete and able. People with physical or mental impairments are considered disabled. Terming one as disabled is dehumanizing and devaluing (Rembis, 2010). Using the term “disabled” suggests that one is distancing himself or herself from the impairment. The binary ideology assumes that people who are functioning normally physically and mentally are more productive in the social, economic, and political arenas. Mentally or physically impaired individuals have unique talents and skills which can advance society economically, socially, and politically. Using the word disabled shows how society disables people (Kang et.al, 2017). Society should appreciate every individual’s unique talents and skills rather than suppressing some individuals based on the principle of ability and disability.
In conclusion, binary ideology assumes that every individual must be either feminine or masculine. The binary system is not a natural phenomenon but rather a socially constructed method of grouping individuals according to their biological orientations and roles. According to research by several anthropologists, gender is just a cultural creation and innovation which constitutes the roles ones perform or assume and learn. Assuming the male and female identity can be done theoretically and therefore, one should be accorded the freedom to choose. Challenging the binary ideology enables the society to appreciate the people who do not conform to the socially accepted sexual orientation. Other aspects of binary ideology apply to ableism, where people are categorized as abled or disabled. Society should therefore acknowledge other people who do not conform to the binary ideology since all human beings are entitled to equal rights, freedoms and treatment.
References
Kang, M., Lessard, D., Heston, L., & Nordmarken, S. (2017). Introduction to women, gender, sexuality studies. Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries.
Rahilly, E. P. (2015). The gender binary meets the gender-variant child: Parents’ negotiations with childhood gender variance. Gender & Society, 29(3), 338-361.
Rembis, M. A. (2010). Beyond the binary: rethinking the social model of disabled sexuality. Sexuality and Disability, 28(1), 51-60.