In terms of biology, sex refers to whether you are male or female. In terms of the ways an individual identifies them self refers to an individual’s gender (Barker & Jane, 2016). Identity refers to the way one see themselves in relation to their introspective opinions and in relation to others’ opinions. Identity can be personal and social, as well as collective and relational (Friedman & Schustack, 2014).
Manicom (1992) believes that the analysis of gender is for all historians to work on, but she also says that mostly women have been focusing on it. The South African feminist researchers have found the degree to which invisibility has played a role in the gender differences in South African history. In South Africa it is observed that gender is a relation of rule, of power and of dominance (Manicom, 1992).
According to Barker and Jane (2016), sex can be binary and it can determine behaviour, sexual preference and gender. Gender inequalities have been overly exaggerated by society and researchers in cultural studies have tried to shift these views. They also believe that most human nature is not innate, but rather learned from society. Cultural studies fits into the ideas of sex, gender and identity by examining why our views on gender are so rigid and how society can
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They also believe that gender difference is constructed by the social norm of a specific culture. Biological determinism has been challenged by feminist, cultural and societal theorists. These theorists believe that there is a complete distinction between gender and sex. Sex is biological whereas gender is cultural and social. It is said that the basis of women’s oppression is the social, political and cultural practices of society. There is also a belief that this distinction between sex and gender make biological constructs in a cultural context (Barker & Jane,