Question

What is meant by sex?

Answer 1

It refers to physiological differences found among male, female, and various intersex. In humans, the child is determined at birth based on several factors, including chromosomes, gonads, hormones, internal reproductive anatomy, and genitalia.

Complete step by step answer:
A person’s sex, as determined by the help of their biology, doesn’t always compare with their gender. So, the terms “sex” and “gender” are not exchangeable. Sex incorporates both primary sex characteristics (those which are related to the reproductive system) and secondary sex characteristics (those that are not directly related to the reproductive system, for example- breasts and facial hair). Although, anywhere from $1.0\%$ to $1.7\%$ of kids are born intersex, having a variation in sex characteristics (which includes chromosomes, gonads, or genitals) that don’t permit them to be distinctly recognized as male or female.

Additional information: Some important terms:
- Intersex: When the variation takes place in sex characteristics which include chromosomes, gonads, or genitals that do not permit an individual to be distinctly identified as male or female.
- Gender: It is defined as the socio-cultural phenomenon of the division of individual into different classifications as per their biological sex, with each having associated roles, clothing, stereotypes, etc.
- Sex: Generally it is defined as on basis of its distinctive property, quality, or assemblage of properties by which organisms are classified as female, male, or intersex on the basis of their reproductive organs and functions.
- Sexuality: It refers to when individual sexual interest in and attraction to others; their ability to have sensual experiences and responses.
- Gonads: The sex organs that formed gametes; particularly, the testicles or ovaries.

Note: In some of the cases, a child is born with a mix of female and male genitalia. They are sometimes called as intersex, and the parents may decide which gender to assign to the child. Generally, intersex individuals account for around 1 in 1,500 births.