As discussed in Meaning, definitions are necessary for us to ensure we are talking about the same thing. If I talk about a dolphin, and you don’t know what a dolphin is, then we can’t really talk about it. So definition is necessary.
But sometimes I think we get caught up in the definition. Definitions lead to labels. Are you A or B? Democrat or Republican? Girl or Boy? Young or Old? Who’s your favorite team? What’s your favorite genre? These labels can be restrictive.
Part of the issue with labeling is stereotypes and presumptions. We get stuck in repetitious patterns and making quick judgements based on labels. We know our brain has to kind of guess and make assumptions to do its job so quickly, but we need to be cognizant of these biases.
Lets take age for example. Old people have the stereotypes of being in poor health and bad drivers, while young people are considered reckless and dumb. These stereotypes may apply in some cases, but we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. I know there are people older than me who are in better health. When I was younger, I did some dumb things, but I also feel I fared better than some of my peers. I’m 34, soon to be 35. To a kid, I’m old. To someone over 60, I’m still young.
Who’s to say what old or young is? AARP starts at age 50, but Medicare is 65. In America, kids become adults at age 18. Labels should be fluid or more about meaning and less about constraints. Maybe you have an old soul, but still feel young at heart. Why can’t you be both or somewhere in between?
What about gender? Sure, everyone is born a specific sex with specific chromosomes right? Well, I guess not everyone as some people are born with different chromosomes and some with both genitalia. A little research on the subject and it turns out X & Y chromosomes aren’t the only influencing factor we’ve now found. Instead it’s a complex system. So how and who should define and label males and females?
Another issue with labels like these are social stigmas. Men traditionally aren’t supposed to cry or show emotions. They don’t ask for help or directions. They are burly, hairy, and tough. They are the protector and breadwinner. This leads to closed off males who lack empathy and are unwilling to ask for help, especially for mental health. How is a man who cares, cries, asks for help, and doesn’t bring home the bread, less manly? Especially in our current culture where women can do everything a man can do.
Why do we use such simple straightforward terms when things aren’t black and white? Maybe it’s easier to understand and say things definitely. I will say, medically, its seems to help to define people as genetics and certain things could influence the effectiveness of treatments and in a life and death situation, starting with no assumptions on a person could take to long to diagnose. But at the same time, you could make incorrect assumptions and lead to someone’s death.
I don’t think there is a particular right or good answer to how we should label or not label people and if there is any usefulness to it, but I can’t see it hurting to pause and be wary of these assumptions based on labels. We should remember life isn’t a simple switch, male or female, on or off, living or dying. It’s a scale. Maybe you are physically alive, but you are stuck in a rut and feeling empty inside. You are alive and surviving, but are you really living?
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