Genes and Gender
The first sub-category, Genetics, is only beginning to be understood. What mechanism and to what degree does genetic influences effect one’s expression of gender? We do know that besides the traditional XX chromosome of a typical female and the XY of a typical male, that there are other combinations such as XXY, XYY, and XO.
A XXY combination results in 47 rather the 46 chromosomes. This condition is called Klinefelder’s syndrome and occurs in one in every 500 births. Individuals with Klinefelder’s are sterile, have enlarged breasts, small testicles and penis, and a eunuch body shape much like the “Pat” character on “Saturday Night Live.” They show little interest in sex.