Subject: | |
From: | |
Reply To: | |
Date: | Sun, 3 Dec 2000 13:17:24 +1300 |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
Tom Elliott wrote:
>My main concern with this whole thread is the use of the term genders. There
>are only two sexes of bees, and as used here that is the meaning of the term
>gender. The traditional term Castes seems more appropriate to me.
I have been gratified at the thoughtful responses to my questions.
The traditional term Castes seems to me the least appropriate -
the issue I wanted to get to, and now we have got there indirectly.
A caste is a subculture of humans who have organised for many
generations to specialise in a particular social niche. (India is of
course the main arena where society has been thus organised.) Well, the
bees 3 types are not at all like that, are they? A drone does not choose
to be what he is; a queen is similarly predetermined for her biological &
social role; and a worker once mature (tho' sexually immature) is also
committed.
Of the three terms on offer, I now favour 'sex' as the most
suitable. Gender, and even more extremely caste, are social constructs.
The fact that the human has 2 sexes doesn't seem to me to preclude another
species from having 3 sexes.
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback.
R
-
Robt Mann
consultant ecologist
P O Box 28878 Remuera, Auckland 1005, New Zealand
(9) 524 2949
|
|
|