One+Sex+Two+Sex+Theory

One Sex Two Sex Theory

In the eighteenth century, it was believed that only one sex existed, which was the male sex, hence the name “one sex” theory. However, both the masculine and feminine genders still existed. Masculine people possessed what we now think of as normal male genitalia, which would include the penis, scrotum, and testicles on the outside of the lower region of the body. The feminine portion of the population had what would be considered the inverted form of the male genitalia. The penis, scrotum, and testicles would all be inside of the body as opposed to being on the outside of the body. (Harvey, 2002) The one sex theory also dealt with a humoral system, which was based on four properties: hot, cold, moist and dry. Feminine individuals, people with inverted male genitalia, tended to be affected by the cold and moist humours, while hot and dry humours affect the masculine species Figure 1: The Male Gentalia those with the male genitalia that was on the outside of the body (Harvey, 2002). However, sometimes the humoral system was defied. People with inverted male genitalia, feminine individuals, who should have experienced cold and moist humours, sometimes instead experienced hot and dry humours and would began to produce masculine physical characteristics, such as beards and mustaches, as opposed to feminine qualities. Masculine individuals could also experience this phenomenon, having characteristics that are usually attributed to feminine people. ( Coon, 2008) Regardless of the differences in gender that were presented based on the humoral system, there was still one universal sex, and one type of sex organ. **History of the Two Sex Theory** At the end of the eighteenth century, the one sex theory model was replaced with the two sex theory model. Therefore, instead of it only being a male sex, there was now a male and female sex. This change also changed how people viewed what was thought to be the inverted male genitalia. What was once the inverted male genitalia became what is known today as the vagina. The testicles became the female ovaries, the scrotum became the uterus, and the penis became the vaginal canal (Harvey, 2002). Given male and female genitalia functions differently in its role in reproduction, the two sex model is scientifically more correct. Also because there was such a vast difference between the feminine and masculine individuals, the need to have them to be equal in terms of their sex was not really needed. This major change in the views on sexual anatomy over the century caused “ the relationship between the cultural and biological categorizations of male and female [to] change[d] drastically” (Sharpe, 1994, paragraph 6). Some researchers believe that the change in the viewpoint on the sex of humans was heavily influenced by the gender specifications (Konner, 1990). Meaning that the two very different genders, influenced scientist into viewing the genitalia of the genders separately as well. Hence, the inverted male genitalia, becoming what is known today as the vagina and its counterparts. Many people believe that the only reason that scientist ever invented the one sex model to begin with was in an attempt to promote equlity between the genders (Konner, 1990). **Thomas Laqueur** Thomas Laqueur wrote a book titled, //Making Sex: Body and Gender from the Greeks to Freud//. The book dealt with the changes that occurred following the eighteenth century concerning the way in which humans would be sexually identified (Browner, 1992). His book discusses the one sex theory as well as the two sex theory and the reasoning behind each theory. According to author Stephanie Browner, Laqueur argues that in transitioning between the one sex and two sex model society went from a “pre-enlightenment view of the female body as a similar but lesser version of the male body to the modern view of male and female as incommensurable opposities” (Browner, 1992, p.221). The bodies were similar in the genitalia they contained, but what would be known as the female body was thought to be lesser because of its genitalia’s inverted status. Laqueur also argued in his book that the change from the one sex model to the two sex model was not based on scientific discovery, but rather the cultural gender roles of femininity and masculinity (Browner, 1992). Due to the drastic differences between the two specified genders, culturally, it seemed that these two genders could not be equal in their sexually make ups. This then led to the two sex model, where just like there is a cultural difference among feminine and masculine people, there would also be a difference between the male and female sexes. With evidence to support the major difference in the different forms of sexual anatomy, laqueur did not understand how throughout the entire eighteenth century people actually believed that everyone possessed the same genitalia. **One Sex Two Sex Theory and Communication** After the formation of the two sex model, it became rather intuitive to categorize people based on their sexes, in order to help define their gender. According to Miqqi Gilbert, “not having sex category information can mean we are practically incapable of interacting [with one another] and at a loss as to how to communicate” (Gilbert, 2009, p 93). We learn how to communicate based on our gender roles, which in turn are based on our sex classification, “As a result, the need to classify by sex is overwhelming, and confusion or hesitation is a great cause of discomfort and, sometimes, anger” (Gilbert, 2009, p93). Knowing that in the eighteenth century people believed there was only one sex implies that the communication of that time may have been problematic. Introducing the two sex model, in some instances, makes distinguishing gender roles more clear cut, thus improving communication. Based on the gender roles that are assumed by individuals it will influence how they communicate. People learn very early through parents and different sources of media how people of each gender to communicate and behave. (Witt, 1997) The different stereotypes and assumptions about how each gender communicates and behaves is based primarily on the assigned sex of that individual. Thus, both the one sex and two sex theories are needed in order to help facilitate communication. Coon, L. L. (2008). Somatic Styles of the Early Middle Ages. //Gender & History //, 20(3), 463-486. doi:10.1111/j.1468-0424.2008.00533.x   GILBERT, M. (2009). Defeating Bigenderism: Changing Gender Assumptions in the Twenty-first Century.// Hypatia //, 24(3), 93-112. Retrieved from EBSCO// host //. Harvey, K. K. (2002). The Substance of Sexual Difference: Change and Persistence in Representations of the Body in Eighteenth–Century England. //Gender & History //, 14(2), 202-223. Retrieved from EBSCO// host //. Konner, Melvin; Melvin Konner teaches medical anthropology at Emory, U., & is the author most recently of "Why the Reckless, S. (1990). One Sex or Two. //New York Times Book Review //, 27. Retrieved from EBSCO// host //.   Sharpe, J. A. (1994). All in the genes?. //History Today // , 44(7), 55. Retrieved from EBSCO// host //.    Stephanie, Browner. (1992). Making Sex (Book). //Victorian Studies // , 35(2), 221. Retrieved from EBSCO// host //.    Witt. (1997). Parental Influence on Children’s Socialization to Gender Roles. (6) []
 * History of the One Sex Theory**
 * References**