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I think the modern emphasis on gender/sexual identity has something to do with a widespread post-modern/relativistic worldview. In the victorian age, absolutes
by robto 10y ago
I think the modern emphasis on gender/sexual identity has something to do with a widespread post-modern/relativistic worldview. In the victorian age, absolutes were part and parcel of the cultural context. Nowadays, we don't share that same foundation, and so people look for other foundations. And I think the foundation that a lot of people have come to rest upon is the idea that your sexuality is the core part of your identity, sort your most fundamental part.
Viewed through that lens, the sort of hyper-classification of gender and sexuality makes sense: in order to understand who you are you need to be able to define what 'type' of sexuality you have.
I'd like to put out there that I'm not sure about how useful this way of thinking about the issue is, it's just been on my mind a bit lately.
- Glyptodon 10y agoI think you've hit on part of why I find this stuff sort of odd at times -- I don't feel like anything gender related is at all core to my identity. Rather, the things I view as core to my identity are ideas, like "torture is always wrong," "slavery is always wrong," and "always wear shoes that allow you to move effectively in an emergency" if I may use some simplified cases.
- icebraining 10y agoIt's easier for some, harder for others: http://www.robot-hugs.com/cognitive-load/ http://www.robot-hugs.com/cognitive-load/
- Glyptodon 10y agoIf I follow, why do you think experiences like the linked lead to a core identity of "I am an X (or B or Q...)" instead of one of "people should not be treated this way/experience this/have to think about these things?"