The idea refers to the self-perception of each individual in relation to their sexuality. Human sexuality stems from the differentiation into two genders (male and female), which does not involve a certain sexual orientation, as a man or a woman may be attracted to people of the same sex (these are homosexuals) or have sexual desire for both genders (these are bisexuals). Sexual Identity
The concept of sexual identity should not be confused with sexual orientation. Sexual identity refers to the perception of oneself as a man or woman, while sexual orientation refers to attraction to one sex or the other.
Biological sex and psychological sex
From a biological point of view, within the first stages of embryonic life, anomalies can occur that determine the biological dimension of sex. Thus, an individual can be anatomically a man, but psychologically feel like a woman or vice versa. In other words, biology and psychology are not always together on the sexual issue.
Different ways to understand sexual identity in relation to gender
According to the traditional view of sexual identity, each sex has sexual tendencies that are invariably determined by biology. This criterion is reinforced by a conventional cultural conception that shows that each sex corresponds to a role in society . This model is based on full identification between sex and gender.
Another way of understanding sexual identity is based on the consideration that sexual preferences do not depend exclusively on biology, but that they influence other factors of a cultural type. This vision is related to women’s freedom and greater sexual permissiveness in society as a whole. In this model there is a disconnect between sex and gender.
In a third approach to sexual identity, it can be said that the idea of gender has three possibilities: male, female and indeterminate (this indeterminate gender refers to the transsexual and the hermaphrodite). In cases of hermaphroditism, it is common for there to be sexual identity problems.
In a fourth model, it states that sexual identity of each individual goes beyond the gender issue, since gender roles depend on the social circumstances and appreciation ethical and cultural needs of each person . This means that in a context of freedom and tolerance, people can create their own sexual identity independently of the gender issue.
