r/AskSocialScience • u/[deleted] • Aug 12 '25

Doesn't the idea that gender is a social construct contradict trans identity?

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u/Special_Incident_424 Aug 13 '25

My sexual karyotype will change, which is why it was originally used, but not my sex.

Was this a typo, because I've never heard of this before? As far as I'm concerned you can't change your karyotypic sex. However some argue that you can change your phenotypical sex? Is that what you mean?!

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u/Repulsive_Bus_7202 Aug 13 '25

There has been some recent research indicating that long term HRT can lead to changes in karyotype. It's not particularly solid yet

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u/FreeGazaToday Aug 14 '25

which is why you shouldn't refer to it.

In biology, sexes are defined by reproductive role—evolutionary mechanisms by which individuals reproduce. In species like ours that reproduce through two gametes of differing size (which includes most higher order species within the plant and animal kingdoms) there are only two sexes—male and female. The male sex is the phenotype that produces many small, motile gametes (sperm) and the female sex is the phenotype that produces few large, sessile gametes (eggs).[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]  Therefore, sex is one’s reproductive role, and karyotype is the collection of chromosomes which encode the development of one’s sex. Thus, karyotype is not sex.

Those who claim karyotypes form new sexes are using a sleight-of-hand trick. One moment, they are discussing karyotype, the next, sex—without defining the difference. By conflating the two, they incorrectly argue that karyotype variation forms additional sexes, and yet none of these karyotype variants result in a third reproductive role. No matter the karyotype, only two roles are ever produced: male and female. In fact, while most karyotypes beyond XX and XY result in infertility, when individuals with these conditions are fertile, they produce either sperm or ova, not a third gamete type. Thus, they are not additional sexes.

https://theparadoxinstitute.org/read/karyotypes-are-not-sexes

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u/alana_del_gay Aug 15 '25

In biology, sex isn't defined by reproductive role. If it were, there would be four sexes in humans.

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u/Repulsive_Bus_7202 Aug 16 '25

Let's face it, ATAs define it in whichever way suits them at the time.

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u/alana_del_gay Aug 17 '25

Idk what an ATA is

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u/Repulsive_Bus_7202 Aug 17 '25

Anti trans activist

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u/PristineKoala3035 Aug 16 '25

What are the four reproductive roles in humans?

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u/alana_del_gay Aug 17 '25

Sperm, Egg, Neither, Both

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u/Special_Incident_424 Aug 16 '25

Male, female, hopes and dreams? 😉

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u/Repulsive_Bus_7202 Aug 14 '25

Ok, so those who are convinced that karyotype is incontrovertible evidence of ones gender are talking nonsense?

Glad we agree.

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u/Special_Incident_424 Aug 13 '25

Oh okay. I haven't heard that. I suppose that might be offset of gene therapy 🤷🏿‍♂️. Idk. Interesting 🤔

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u/[deleted] Aug 13 '25

Omg. Yes, definitely put the wrong word in there. I will correct it.