Biology has an obvious influence on our development as human beings. From the moment of conception, cells divide and begin to form a fetus-a mechanism which is very precise. Most all of our cells will contain 46 chromosomes-23 pairs. One of these chromosome pairs are our sex chromosomes, with two X chromosomes making a female, and one X and one Y chromosome making a male. These chromosome structures contain genes, and determine our sex, as well as other aspects of our physical and functional body. During embryonal development, there are also various hormones and enzymes that influence the development of our sex and genitalia.

Given the basics of biology, it is important to differentiate between sex and gender identity. Sex refers to the physical aspects of our body and biological genitalia, while gender identity refers to the more emotional aspects and psychological notion of our sex and identity. On the surface, biology seems to be straight-forward: two X chromosomes mean that you are a female. However, biology can become very complicated as well. For example, a woman with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) can indeed have two X chromosomes, but due to mutations in specific genes, can develop this condition which can cause ambiguous genitalia and gender identity disorder. This is a classic example of the complications of biology and its influence over gender identity. There are certainly many more examples of genetic conditions or hormonal imbalances during embryonal development which influence the development of our gender identity.

The ‘nurture’ debate, or social construction as an influence over gender identity, also proves to have many theoretical ideologies and arguments to support it. Essentially, we are indeed born male or female, however, our society influences our gender roles and identity. From the time we are born, we are treated and socialized a certain way due to our sex, by our parents and caregivers, as well as institutions. These subtle influences, from the types of clothing we wear to the toys we play with, determine how we are perceived by the rest of society, and eventually how we perceive ourselves and our gender. With these gender ideals so ingrained in our society, it is difficult to transcend these boundaries, and therefore it is also difficult to assess whether things would be any different if we changed these ideals.

Perhaps in the end, it is fair to say that both nature and nurture influence the development of our gender identity, but it is difficult to determine which actually has a stronger influence. Science and biology are the basis of life, yet at the same time, our society, culture, and environment influences our daily lives and habits. In reality, both biology and society contribute to our difference from one another, both male and female alike. Is it fair to draw a line in the context of this debate? Perhaps our gender identity is fluid, despite science and society.