Students asked questions and expressed the way they felt about the difference between sex and gender at a discussion on Wednesday.
People gathered inside of the center to listen and discuss their opinions about the two topics.
The discussion was put on by Perspective, an organization that holds meetings to talk about different topics that they deem important.
Students were able to ask questions to Jennifer Erickson, an assistant professor of cultural anthropology. Erickson focused on the concept of gender, explaining that gender is a social construction and is relational.
Erickson shared her knowledge about how masculinity and femininity are constructed because of gender and sex. She explained the difference between the topics and talked about the misconceptions between the two.
Erickson said one misconception of sex and gender is people think both topics are the same.
“Because you have certain sex organs, that means that is the gender you have,” she said. “It has been proven many times that is not true.”
Ramaro Barnes, a senior psychology major, said the topic fit into his field and allowed him to learn new things to support his facts.
“I got the chance to hear a anthropologist point of view, which is different from a psychological point of view ,but there a similar opinions and facts which I enjoyed hearing,” he said.
Erickson said that not all students feel the same way about sex and gender.
“Students fall on the spectrum of sex and gender, and by raising awareness it will make everyone feel happier and healthier,” she said.
During the discussion, Erickson talked about the different attitudes toward women and men and how they are portrayed by the society.
Latonya Looney, a junior telecommunications major, said she knew the difference between gender and sex — gender is what society identifies you as or what you identify yourself as.
“It was good to know that others felt the same way that I did,” she said. “There were a lot of head nods when certain people were saying things in agreement.”
While students could come and ask question at the meeting, they found out that they are not the only ones who may feel a certain way about gender and sex.
“It’s important so other students know that if they have a certain mind set on something that they are not the only ones that feel that way and Perspectives in general can help bring students together who are struggling with something,” Looney said.
Barnes said the experience was beneficial.
“I think people got to know themselves better, students from different backgrounds were able to come together and this discussion allowed everyone to learn something new,” Barnes said.
