Is asking for Biological Sex problematic?

In the West, I think it is now

But, that shouldn't be problematic

I think if it's a medical facility, like a hospital, it's important to know such a thing. I'm not a doctor but treatment varies based on your sex sometimes, just due to the biological differences between the sexes.

If any other place, especially a business, asked that, I see it as extremely problematic.

Quote from ill-pray-4-u

I think if it's a medical facility, like a hospital, it's important to know such a thing. I'm not a doctor but treatment varies based on your sex sometimes, just due to the biological differences between the sexes.

If any other place, especially a business, asked that, I see it as extremely problematic.

Yeah this exactly! Unless there is a legit medical purpose behind it, I don't think knowing what biological sex you are is super relevant to begin with.

I wouldn't call it problematic perse though. Just unnecessary.

Quote from ill-pray-4-u

I think if it's a medical facility, like a hospital, it's important to know such a thing. I'm not a doctor but treatment varies based on your sex sometimes, just due to the biological differences between the sexes.

If any other place, especially a business, asked that, I see it as extremely problematic.

I...agree with you for once...

i mean one is allowed to ask anything right?

and the other person might just not or refuse to answer

Quote from selfmate

i mean one is allowed to ask anything right?

and the other person might just not or refuse to answer

Fair point.

I'd say, however, that yes, asking for biological sex can be ok, but only when presented with a legitimate reason or concern that requires that information. It'd also be preferable if they state the reason while asking.

Quote from Kataphract

Fair point.

Quote from Kataphract

I'd say, however, that yes, asking for biological sex can be ok, but only when presented with a legitimate reason or concern that requires that information. It'd also be preferable if they state the reason while asking.

but what is a legitimate reason? and who specifies it's legitimateness? the gov? the person asking or the person answering?

imo just as one should be free to ask, the answerer should be free to answer or not answer as the case may be

Quote from selfmate

but what is a legitimate reason? and who specifies it's legitimateness? the gov? the person asking or the person answering?

imo just as one should be free to ask, the answerer should be free to answer or not answer as the case may be

Eh to try to split hairs on what is legit or not is probably going to be a headache and a half but yea if there's an issue like going to the gynecologists' for the first time then the gyno might want to ask what type of genital's they might be expecting to examine, etc.

Quote from chainyviolet

Yeah this exactly! Unless there is a legit medical purpose behind it, I don't think knowing what biological sex you are is super relevant to begin with.

I wouldn't call it problematic perse though. Just unnecessary.

I would call it problematic because in some instances the information is used for discrimination.

Quote from ill-pray-4-u

I would call it problematic because in some instances the information is used for discrimination.

Yeah true. It can be used for statistic purposes. At the same time, I feel like you shouldn't have to answer if you don't want to.

In a healthy society, no.

Until I lived abroad and traveled, I didn't realize how often these types of unnecessary questions come up compared to in America and the west.

In Japan I've had to clearly write my biological sex, age, photo, if I'm married, and if I have children/dependents, just to apply to a job. None of that relates to my ability to teach. I've noticed that outside of western English-speaking countries, this type of thing is heavily normalized.

Related to this topic a little, so I thought I'd talk about it.

Quote from godkingteshub

It comes down to legal and social "conservation" reasons. Companies have to report demographic info to the government.

They want to make it harder for people to impersonate others or not claim something by surprise in the future. Basically Japan wants to prevent foreigners from remaining permanently as much as they can and these kinds of info helps them figure out patterns (for ex. if a bunch of foreign women of fertile age suddenly start coming to Japan, they want to know what's up).

This is required for everyone for most jobs and other applications in Japan, foreign or not. I would understand for visa and immigration purposes, but not as a universal norm for most jobs.

This info is used for interviews and hiring in particular actually. As age and sex discrimination is pretty much legal here as far as hiring practices.

There’s a lot of strange things. For example, At my workplace, people that are married or have kids are paid more than those without them. This kind of thing is pretty common for teachers.

It’s needed in some occasions and mostly legal and medical ones. I have had to do pregnancy tests on trans male patients for example.