Third Sex: Third Generation Essay Example

masculinity and identified procreation as the ultimate measure of manhood in order to boost population numbers. As a result, men highly prized sexual relations with women due to its connection with their social masculinity.

Undoubtedly, those who defied or were perceived to fail the new masculinity standards were, in a symbolic sense, associated with the now discredited and marginalized third sex. This served as a form of exile, although it was inappropriate since the third sex primarily encompassed males with feminine gender attributes rather than those who did not desire or could not reproduce (as asserted by certain determined homosexual advocates). Consequently, this placed immense pressure on men with masculine gender characteristics, leading nearly all of them to choose marriage. Throughout history, marriage and procreation has always sufficed as proof of one's manliness, while establishing emotional connections with females was deemed unmanly and even characteristic of the third sex in ancient times. Although sexual attraction was never in question, it did enhance a man's 'masculinity' and facilitated the overall process.

In due time, men of masculine gender also responded by establishing their own domains. In these spheres, they devised reasons to keep away from women while still maintaining their masculinity. These domains took the form of warrior cults or spiritual cults. Women were expressly forbidden from entering these spaces, and the followers of these cults were discouraged from interacting with women—unless it was for the purpose of procreation within marriage. As part of this strategy to control the sexual conduct of masculine males, the desire for women by those in the third gender was disregarded in order to present male-male sexual relationships as masculine.

Third sex males who

also had an attraction to women chose to conceal their identities and go into hiding. Over time, this group of individuals known as the third gender, who were once considered both male and female (referred to as "two spirited"), transformed into a category that was neither male nor female (known as "napumsak"). Engaging in sexual relationships between men was extremely common among those who identified as masculine, even during a time when marriage was seen as a societal obligation for the purpose of procreation. Desiring another man was not viewed as unmanly or indicative of being part of a third gender. In fact, it held a significant masculine value, and bonds between men were highly respected within warrior male traditions. However, by the time of Christ's birth, societies began to target and repress these masculine male sexual relationships, as they posed a significant obstacle to the institution of marriage and were met with decreasing tolerance.

Christianity and Islam initiated an ongoing violent conflict against strong male relationships, ultimately eradicating these bonds from society. Another factor contributing to this disappearance was the emergence of "social masculinity". During the medieval period, sexual relationships between men were increasingly portrayed as a feminine characteristic, limited to individuals identifying as members of a third gender. This perception was not only perpetuated by Christian and Islamic societies, but also adopted by other groups, including Hindus. There was clear influence and imitation between these different religious and cultural communities. As a result, sexual relationships between masculine men became clandestine, with men remaining silent about their desires or bonds in public settings.

Masculine men who were exclusively attracted to other men did not belong to

the third gender in historical contexts; however, they did establish a social presence and gained influence within that particular sphere. Conversely, Christian societies lacked such a space and only acknowledged male and female genders, with the expectation that all men should embody masculinity and all women should exhibit femininity.

However, society arbitrarily decided the criteria for masculine and feminine, rather than it being based on nature. The male identified as feminine was perceived as both a sinner and someone afflicted with a disease.