Toward an account of gender identity

Jenkins, K. (2018) Toward an account of gender identity. Ergo, 5(27), pp. 713-744. (doi: 10.3998/ergo.12405314.0005.027)

Abstract

Although the concept of gender identity plays a prominent role in campaigns for trans rights, it is not well understood, and common definitions suffer from a problematic circularity. This paper undertakes an ameliorative inquiry into the concept of gender identity, taking as a starting point the ways in which trans rights movements seek to use the concept. First, I set out six desiderata that a target concept of gender identity should meet. I then consider three analytic accounts of gender identity: the dispositional account, the self-identification account, and the norm-relevancy account. I argue that only the norm-relevancy account can meet all six desiderata. Finally, I defend the norm-relevancy account from three objections: that it is cisnormative, that it has problematic implications regarding trans women, and that it entails that some people do not have the gender identity they take themselves to have.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Jenkins, Dr Katharine
• Authors: Jenkins, K.
• College/School: College of Arts > School of Humanities > Philosophy
• Journal Name: Ergo
• Publisher: Michigan Publishing
• ISSN: 2330-4014
• ISSN (Online): 2330-4014
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 The Author
• First Published: First published in Ergo 5(27):713-744
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License