I would like your thoughts

[SadieNightingale]

In a novel I’m writing, there’s a sentient species of aliens. They only have one biological sex, they’re all hermaphroditic. Since gender is a social construct unrelated to sex, how do you think this race would view gender? How would the concept of gender develop in their culture? How would gender roles be divided?

[Scottthespy]

I feel that, lacking sexual dimorphism, they wouldn't HAVE a basis for 'gender', and it would never develop and there would be no gender roles. With no difference in the basic layouts of their bodies, ie, no one having parts that others don't have, there would be no way to divide people the way we have with 'gender'. They might be divided into social classes, or strength categories, or by what interests them. Your 'role' might be 'dock worker' because you happen to be physically strong, while this person came out a weakling but really good at chemistry, so they're role is to make medicine. I think a society that evolved with only one physical sex would not develop a sense of 'gender' and would find it a confusing topic. Some would be curious, fascinated even. Others might think its bad, unnatural, even dangerous. 

[Emery.]

 

 

4 hours ago, Scottthespy said:

Some would be curious, fascinated even. Others might think its bad, unnatural, even dangerous. 

Yeah. Think about bees. Or ants. Doesn't it seems wierd for us that bees have a queen and that one reproductive male, and plenty of worker "females"? That's gender too, that's insect gender... Even nature on our own planet has plenty of alternative ways to organise gender and reproduction. There are maaaany different examples of even mammals, or monkeys that do it differently. Like bisexual bonobos...

[Heart]

I'm with Scotthespy here. Roles are probably still going to show up, because they are very advantageous; splitting labour and specialisation just makes sense if you're a social species. But they will have to centre around something distinguishable... For species with sexual dimorphism that's a distinction. But it wouldn't be for them.

 

Maybe they'd define roles based on skin colour? On who you were born to? Or maybe even on the basis of how much wealth and resources you've accumulated? Or, heck, maybe the time of day or year you were born?

 

Another thing to think on: do they parent in groups, or is one alien responsible for their own child or children? If they parent in groups, then perhaps they have "parenting orientations" wherein any individual will have a certain parenting role that they prefer innately, and will want to do that one? Like, having one that spends time with the children, one that goes off to gather resources, and one that is in charge of preparing materials needed (eg cooking and cleaning). I made three because I felt like it, but there could be two just like in humans. Or more. You have a clean slate after all.

 

Maybe all those who are born with green skin are supposed to be resource-gatherers, and those with blue skins the interactors, and those with red skin are the preparers. But lo and behold, sometimes someone is born with the wrong skin colour to their actual orientation. And they are trans-parents. Maybe they want to transition, and dye their skin? Maybe they're tired of being the only one with blue skin out collecting resources, and feel left out of the green-skinned aliens' social order because they are seen to not belong? *ponders...*

 

One way or another, have fun

[SamwiseLovesLife]

I would imagine they might see it as a trait, like having brown hair. They would probably find it super confuseing that we treat each other differently for a trait like that