11-04-2014, 01:40 AM
Some while ago I tried to construct a scale of this kind but eventually gave up as it seemed to me that I needed to take into account at least four and probably more variables, with a result that defies easy illustration. It is human nature to want to draw parallels with the experiences of others, but by doing so one risks being seen as attempting to label them.
I don't think that androgyne and bigender should be lumped together because one of them combines masculine and feminine characteristics while bigender implies switching or conflict between these groups of characteristics, with various degrees of instability, so this is a major variable in itself. Another variable that I believe is relevant is the extent to which parts of either or both of these groups of characteristics may be missing. Add in in cultural and timeline variables and things start to get out of hand
All this is not to say that a simplified scale is not useful, but it may be a dubious or variable fit for many people, as illustrated by the posts to date.
I don't think that androgyne and bigender should be lumped together because one of them combines masculine and feminine characteristics while bigender implies switching or conflict between these groups of characteristics, with various degrees of instability, so this is a major variable in itself. Another variable that I believe is relevant is the extent to which parts of either or both of these groups of characteristics may be missing. Add in in cultural and timeline variables and things start to get out of hand
All this is not to say that a simplified scale is not useful, but it may be a dubious or variable fit for many people, as illustrated by the posts to date.