At least four genders

Submitted by Stein (United States), Nov 15, 2018 at 12:50

The claim that 'traditional' cultures only have '2 genders', seems inaccurate.

For example, in traditional (Rabbinic) Jewish cultures recognize at least four gender categories:
• zakhar (male)
• nkeva (female)
• androginos (both male and female)
• tumtum (neither male nor female)

All four categories of gender have an honorable place within the indigenous Jewish legal system, Halakha.

Arguably, there are even more categories of gender in Rabbinic tradition, such as elonit in the sense of a male-like female. And so on.

Around the world, it seems typical for conservative ancient cultures to recognize the presence of individuals who defy a male-versus-female structural simplification.

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