sex and gender

• Sex


  The biological classifications of male (XY) and female (XX), determined at conception when a sperm fertilises an egg. It is physical and fixed.
• Gender


  A psychological term - whether an individual identifies as masculine, feminine or androgynous. It is psychological, flexible and socially constructed.
• Masculinity


  A set of traits, behaviours or roles associated with being male, such as being aggressive, going out to work, playing football.
• Femininity


  A set of traits, behaviours or roles associated with being female, such as being sensitive, staying at home to care for children, playing with dolls.
• Androgyny


  A type of gender where an individual shows high levels of both masculine and feminine traits.
• Gender Dysphoria


  A psychiatric condition listed in the DSM-5, where there is a mismatch between an individual's biological sex and their gender identity.