[PatG]

A lot of the baby name threads say something like "we aren't finding out the gender". Is it because the word sex is linked to things other than the biological options of male, female or intersex? I am of the opinion that gender is something totally different to sex....

[cinnabubble]

But sex is rude and gender is sophisticated.

[HezzaB]

I agree I think in this context its because people don't like the sound of the word "sex".

And it self-perpetuates as one person says it, and another, and it snowball into the norm.

[~Supernova~]

Well gender is technically incorrect. But honestly, who cares? It's not the end of the world!

[SensibleSis]

It irks me too.

I think it is indeed the word 'sex.'

Sex and gender are not the same.

Gender is how a person identifies themselves eg male or female roles in society.

One doesn't undergo a 'gender change' - they would have a sex change.

[BetteBoop]

Most people don't understand there is any difference between someone's socialised gender role and the contents of their underpants.

So to many people sex and gender are interchangeable.

[Leeloomina]

Hmm good question. I use the word sex in conversations and gender in writings such as on EB. Gender is a mouthful though compared to sex. But you are right, sex is the correct biological term, gender has a whole lot of other things thrown in.

[dimensionk]

Oh, I didn't even realise that gender is incorrect!

[howdo]

Drives me nuts, OP.

Sex sex sex sex sex!

Just say it!

Babies don't have a gender because gender is a socially constructed self identification!

But sex is a naughty word, so ...

[EssentialBludger]

A lot of people don't know that there is a difference. I only know because of EB.