Gender variance refers to the act of deviating from socially constructed norms regarding gender identity. Gender norms are socially constructed ideas about how men and women should behave based on their biological makeup. Suppressing gender variance is often justified through morality and religion, however, it serves political and economic power rather than moral necessity. In this article, I will explain why the suppression of gender variance has been used throughout history to maintain control over people's lives and resources.
Throughout human history, those in positions of power have sought to suppress any behaviors that challenge their authority or threaten their political or economic dominance. One way they have done this is by imposing strict gender roles and punishing anyone who steps outside of them. This includes punishments such as violence, isolation, and shaming.
During colonial times, people who were perceived to be transgender or non-binary were seen as less than human and were treated harshly by the colonizers. This was because colonialism relied heavily on creating hierarchies between groups to maintain power. By dehumanizing these individuals, the colonizers could justify taking away their land, labor, and other resources.
In modern times, there have been efforts to criminalize certain forms of gender expression or identity. Many countries still have laws that criminalize cross-dressing or other types of gender expression that go against traditional gender norms. These laws serve a political purpose - they reinforce the idea that those who do not conform to traditional gender roles are dangerous or immoral. This allows governments to justify policies that discriminate against LGBTQ+ people, including job discrimination, housing discrimination, and healthcare denial. It also allows businesses to use the law to justify mistreatment of employees who express themselves differently.
The suppression of gender variance also serves an economic purpose. In many cultures, there is a strong association between gender and work. Men are expected to provide for their families, while women are expected to take care of the home. If someone challenges these expectations, it can disrupt the social order and create instability.
When women entered the workforce during World War II, there was resistance from some men because they saw this as threatening to their status and power. Similarly, when men choose to stay at home with children or cook rather than working outside the house, it can cause economic instability. Suppressing gender variance helps to keep this hierarchy intact.
The suppression of gender variance throughout history has served both political and economic purposes. By creating strict gender roles and punishing those who step outside them, those in power maintain their dominance over resources and people.
Suppressing gender variance helps to preserve traditional gender roles and hierarchies. This is why it is important to challenge these systems of oppression and create more equitable societies where everyone can express themselves freely without fear of punishment or discrimination.
How does the suppression of gender variance historically serve political or economic power rather than moral necessity?
Gender variance refers to people who do not conform to the normative expectations of their assigned sex at birth regarding appearance, behavior, interests, attire, and identity. Historically, the suppression of gender variance has served the interests of those in positions of political or economic power, as it reinforces binary conceptions of masculinity and femininity that uphold patriarchal structures.