Understanding the term “cisgender man” is important for fostering inclusive language and comprehending the diversity of gender experiences. Exploring this concept helps to clarify common understandings of gender and promotes a more nuanced view of identity.
Understanding Gender Identity
Gender identity refers to an individual’s deeply personal and internal sense of being a man, a woman, both, neither, or somewhere else along the gender spectrum. This internal feeling can correlate with or differ from the sex assigned at birth.
It is important to differentiate gender identity from sex assigned at birth, which typically refers to biological characteristics like chromosomes, hormones, and external anatomy. Gender expression is also distinct; it is the outward manifestation of one’s gender identity through behavior, clothing, hairstyle, voice, or body characteristics. While gender expression often reflects gender identity, this is not always the case, and a person’s expression may not align with societal expectations.
Defining “Cisgender”
The term “cisgender” derives from the Latin prefix “cis-,” meaning “on this side of” or “on the same side as,” directly opposing “trans-,” which means “across from” or “on the other side of.” In the context of gender, “cisgender” describes individuals whose gender identity corresponds to the sex they were assigned at birth. For example, someone assigned male at birth who identifies as a man is a cisgender man.
This term was coined in 1994, initially in Usenet discussions about transgender topics, to provide a neutral and descriptive antonym to “transgender.” Its purpose is to avoid marginalizing transgender people or implying that non-transgender people are the “normal” or “default” gender. The term gained wider academic use in the 2000s and was added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2015, marking its growing acceptance in social discourse.
Defining “Man”
Identifying as a “man” within the framework of gender identity refers to an individual’s internal sense of self as male. While traditionally associated with biological sex, this internal experience is deeply personal and encompasses more than just physical attributes. Gender is a complex social and legal status, influenced by societal expectations about behaviors, characteristics, and thoughts.
Societal roles and expectations for men have changed significantly over time and vary across cultures. Historically, masculinity often emphasized strength, stoicism, and being a provider and protector. However, modern understandings of masculinity allow for a broader range of expressions and involve a reevaluation of what it means to embody manhood, including emotional intelligence and shared responsibilities.
Common Misconceptions
One common misconception is that “cisgender” is a new or politically charged term. However, its academic origins trace back to 1994, emerging from a need for a value-neutral term in discussions about gender, similar to how “right-handed” differentiates from “left-handed.” The term simply describes a reality for many people, without making a political statement.
Another misunderstanding suggests that “cisgender” implies a “normal” or “default” gender, thereby othering transgender individuals. Instead, the term aims to create parallelism with “transgender,” acknowledging that both cisgender and transgender identities are equally valid variations of human experience. It helps to challenge the assumption that everyone is cisgender, known as cisnormativity, and promotes inclusive language.
Finally, confusion often arises between being cisgender and being heterosexual. These two concepts are distinct: “cisgender” refers to gender identity (one’s internal sense of self), while “heterosexual” or “straight” refers to sexual orientation (who one is attracted to). A cisgender man can be gay, bisexual, or any other sexual orientation, just as a transgender person can be straight.