**The Myths and History of Gender Determination**
Gaining insight into the historical viewpoints regarding the roles of males and females sheds light on the changing perceptions of gender and reproduction. Even with remarkable progress towards gender equality, evident in the leadership positions women hold in contemporary societies, women have historically encountered a multitude of obstacles stemming from outdated beliefs and myths.
In the United States, women attained suffrage only in 1920, with the ratification of the 19th Amendment—an advancement that occurred long after Black men received voting rights in 1870. Throughout history, the views on women have fluctuated from being venerated as goddesses to being deemed emotionally unreliable. Despite improvements in due process through history, many fallacies regarding women’s reproductive roles have endured.
The distinct link between conception and sexual intercourse became apparent around the Axial Age. Prior to that, mystical explanations frequently overshadowed scientific knowledge. The ancient Greeks offered intriguing yet incorrect theories. Hippocrates introduced a two-seed concept, suggesting that “weaker” seeds from both parents resulted in girls, while Aristotle posited that men provided the seed and women acted as fertile ground. The knowledgeable Galen built upon this by suggesting that “hotter” seeds resulted in males.
In the Medieval period, women were often unjustly blamed for the inability to generate male heirs. In notorious instances, such as with Henry VIII of England, the failure to produce a male successor was strictly attributed to the woman. Misunderstandings continued to assert that the emotional or health states of women could affect the gender outcome, linking gender determination to the female body while ignoring male roles.
By the 17th century, the introduction of microscopy allowed for a glimpse into the biological dimensions of reproduction. Van Leeuwenhoek’s identification of sperm cells led spermists to assert that each sperm contained a fully formed human, reflecting ancient perspectives of women primarily as vessels. Ovist theorists made similar claims about eggs, yet a complete understanding did not emerge until the intersection of egg and sperm was observed in the late 19th century.
Contemporary science clearly indicates that gender is dictated by whether the sperm carries an X or Y chromosome. With both parents equally influencing the genetic composition, the age of fraudulent myths has not entirely vanished. Cultural legends continue to endure, often unfoundedly linking sex determination to elements like sexual positions or dietary choices.
In tracing the path from mystical interpretations to empirical evidence in gender determination, there is hope for the total eradication of obsolete misogynistic myths, reflecting broader societal progress towards genuine gender equity.
*George F. Smith is an internal medicine physician and author of *Tales from the Trenches: A Life in Primary Care.*