What Makes a "Woman" a "Woman"?

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In this class so far, we’ve read articles and excerpts from books that aim to either describe or define the experience of being considered “intersex,” “transgender,” or a “hermaphrodite.” While these are incredibly intriguing, I found myself drawn more towards accounts of real-life experiences rather than the more “academic” writing; like Stryker, Reis, and Fausto-Sterling strive to do. With this in mind, the piece that struck me the most was; “Caster Semenya has stirring words for her critics after winning women’s 800m” by Andrew Webster; which appeared on The Sydney Morning Herald on August 21, 2016. During the majority of the month of August, the Olympics were televised, and gender was at play more in Rio than ever before. Semenya, who has been described as “hyper androgenic” and “intersex,” “considers herself a woman," (p.2). Recently, Semenya married a woman from South Africa, the country she competes for and also resides in. However, Semenya’s gender expression has brought up some important questions; and most importantly, what makes a “woman” a “woman”?

            Near the middle of the article, Semenya is quoted as stating, “My friend, tonight is all about performance…we’re not here to talk about IAAF [International Association of Athletics Federation], we’re not here to talk about some speculations. Tonight is all about performance. This press conference is about the 800m that we saw here today. So, thank you," (p. 3). But, for a woman, is it ever about performance? As I researched gendered happiness this summer under Professor Wesoky, I learned that if you identify and pass (the key word being “pass,” as those who are transgendered women but do not “pass” as so are often treated very differently than a cis-gendered woman), your life, at home and in the workplace, is so inherently filled with oppression and restrictions, that it takes a toll on your happiness. A woman is expected to take on the total work of the home (meaning home, children, and work), while a man chooses one; either home, children, or work. In relation to Semenya and the 2016 Rio Olympics; since her gender was not clearly identified at first glance; her experience competing should have been colored by how the IAAF has been treating her currently and in the past. For instance, before this year the IAAF president, Sebastian Coe, “insist she should only compete if she takes hormone-suppressing drugs,” and Semenya “competed under those conditions in London four years ago," (p. 2). Also, “many believed she should not have been allowed to compete on this night at the Rio Olympics," (p. 2).  But, this begs the question; why?

            To answer this question, I retreated to the realm of YouTube; where society's somewhat honest opinions lie. Embedded below is the link to the jacksfilms video that I felt most accurately represented how society would classify a "woman," titled, “What Makes a Woman a Woman?” 

WHAT MAKES A WOMAN A WOMAN, jacksfilms 

In this video, Jack reads comments from his viewers that are supposed to answer the question posed within the title. Some of the comments to note include; “knowing all the lyrics to every Disney song,” “.”, “a woman is only a woman if she has nice, round elbows,” “bad parking,” “the Vjj,” “a real woman is a woman when she is a woman,” and, finally, “if she hot.” Some of these make absolutely no sense, see: “a woman is only a woman if she has nice, round elbows,” or, my personal favorite, “if she hot.” First of all, “if she hot” person; who determines if she’s hot? You? Victoria’s Secret? Darn, I bet I’m really not hot then; I must not be a woman. And then, “a woman is only a woman if she has nice, round elbows.” Frankly, I have quite pointy elbows, but I do have “the Vjj,” so does this make me a woman? Can I have one and not the other and still meet societal standards? For Semenya, while she clearly identifies as a woman, and can “pass;” albeit, as an extremely fit woman, society has come to the main consensus that her testosterone is too high for her to truly be “female.” Also, considering transgender issues, I have many friends who have transitioned from female to male but still have a “.” or “the Vjj.” This begs the question; when is society going to decide that how one identifies is more important than biology, at least socially, and that while society may be uncomfortable with the transition to being more LGBTQAI+ friendly; it is a necessary step for progression towards equality.

Another important point to note in this article is when Webster states, “Do elevated testosterone levels in a female enhance athletic performance? If so, by how much? Ten percent? Five seconds? The difference between gold and fourth?" (p. 4). Personally, I have a close friend who has extremely high testosterone levels, that often endanger her well-being. However, she clearly “passes,” as a woman. So, is the problem with Semenya that she can be perceived as more androgynous than feminine; or the testosterone levels? And if so, is it fair to bar her from competing in the Olympics because of her testosterone? Is that something, as a society, we believe is fair to limit; in order to make a more “equal” competition?  

            Semenya, without trying, made a statement at this year’s Olympics. Claiming gold in the women’s 800m, Semenya remained composed and confident; even as questions were thrown at her regarding medication, and is even quoted saying, “Let this press conference focus on today. Let’s not focus on the medication," (p. 3).  But again, what makes a “woman” a “woman”? Is it the “.” or “the Vjj,” or perhaps even, “if she hot.” Semenya, on her own terms, defined herself as a woman; regardless of boobs, periods, or possession of “the Vjj.” Despite criticism from society, and the societal consensus that she shouldn’t be allowed to compete; she claimed gold, high testosterone and all. If Caitlyn Jenner can be initially named “Woman of the Year” by Glamour Magazine, what should stop women like Caster Semenya from being able to compete in the Olympics, just because she looks “androgynous”? In the end, it is my firm conclusion that what makes a “woman” a “woman” is how she defines herself to society; despite how she appears, her biological gender, or her testosterone levels.

References

"Caster Semenya has stirring words for her critics after winning the women's 800m" by Andrew Webster, August 21, 2016. 

http://www.smh.com.au/sport/olympics/rio-2016/olympics-athletics/caster-semenya-has-stirring-words-for-her-critics-after-winning-womens-800m-20160821-gqxm1n.html