Beginner
Your “sex” is whether a person is male (has a penis and all the male private parts*) or female (has a vulva and a vagina and all the female private parts*). “Sex” is the physical body you were born in – whether you are male or female.
Intermediate
Most everyone is born with male or female privates, which is what most people use to determine whether a person is male or female.** Your sex is determined by your sex organs – both external and internal – and your chromosomes.
This is generally used as an indicator of someone’s gender and when they are born is used to decide whether someone is a boy or a girl.
Advanced
Now we know there is more to someone’s gender than what private parts and sex organs they have. Our sex is used to determine our gender – whether or not it actually suits us. You probably know someone who doesn’t identify as either a boy or a girl and may identify both, neither or the opposite gender than what they were assigned at birth.
A lot of adults struggle with these ideas about sex and gender. I want you to know that I am totally open to conversations about this and learning more, especially when it comes to you and your identity.
* With the smaller humans, I prefer to say “private parts” because it sends a message–these parts of your body, in particular, are private.
** Stay tuned for an explanation of intersex. This used to be called “hermaphroditism” which is now solidly and legitimately out of fashion.
Need more help? Check out my Birds and Bees and Kids Solution Center! Or check me out on Facebook!
