PERSPECTIVES OF HUMAN VARIATION

Perspectives of Human Variation

Chelsea Archuleta
Human Origins ANTH 1020

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This essay is intended to explore the biological and cultural dichotomy of human
variation based on race, ethnicity, gender, and sex. After reading Climate-Related Morphological
Variation and Physiological Adaptations in Homo Sapiens, by Gary D. James, I feel he provided
many facts to conclude that possible climatic factors caused physical adaptations in humans. In
addition, I also feel Crocetti made some really strong points in regards to cultural and biological
views of gender identify and gender roles. I love how unique the human race is, and I think
diversity is very important in our society. I also think its important to learn about cultures, and
human evolution in order to have a broader perspective on what it means to be human. With that
being said, these articles have also shown me a different perspective through the biological
views, and their meaning in the scientific world. Human variation is viewed differently through
biological and cultural perspectives.
Gender is defined as the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated
with one sex. (Gender, n.d.) While sex is defined as either of the two major forms of individuals
that occur in many species and that are distinguished respectively as female or male especially
on the basis of their reproductive organs and structures. (Sex, n.d.) Crocetti (2013) stated the
following, Gender finds its place in the social body, the concept of the body that interacts and
performs a social role, and sex is placed in the biological body, a world of molecular processes
and interactions. (p.23) I found this quote to be important because biologically sex is a fact that
everyone comes to learn and accept, however now those facts are being challenged as we learn
more about the variations in sexual development. Science has taught us that if you have two X
chromosomes, you are a female, and if you have an X and a Y chromosome, you are male. But
what about those who do not necessarily fall into either of those categories? A point that Crocetti

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brought up is that those who have gender dysphoria are placed into a category of being mentally
ill, when that is not the case at all. Even being placed into a category of DSD, to me the word
disorder has a negative connotation. If I were in that situation, I would personally feel something
is wrong with me, when in reality it is something many people go through, and they should be
proud of. Placing a stigmatism on DSD or transgenderism can hinder those from being who they
truly are. Unfortunately I feel there are those in society who have not yet grown to accept this
concept, which is why the stigma exists. Ive always strongly felt that people should be
themselves, and therefore I would say I do not feel sex should only culturally be considered
binary, as it has been proven to show there are many different people who do not fit those
identities. Although there may not be a third scientific gender for those to identify under, I think
people should identify with the gender they are the most comfortable with, whether that is their
biological sex or not. Androgyny is another term those who do not identify with either gender
can use, which I feel is perfectly fine, or for those who want to avoid any labels, I would
completely agree with as well. Although those may be my thoughts, the thoughts in the science
world are still going under some debate.
Crocetti goes on to debunk common myths surrounding what we had previously thought
made up ones sex. Based on the information shes provided, I think its safe to conclude that
chromosomes do not determine sex. Although we know what chromosomes make up a male or
female, as previously stated, DSD and transgenderism are the exception. With that being said,
there are still those who believe chromosomes are fully responsible for determining sex. As
Crocetti goes on to say, there are still doctors out there with this belief, and in some cases may
use language with their patience recommending the removal of male or female genitals so the
individual does not incur issues with their gender identity. Those who have Klinefelters

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syndrome have three sex chromosomes, XXY, and although they may be infertile, they have a
perfectly healthy body. In these cases, doctors would recommend hormone replacement therapy
to help masculinize their body, which in todays world when you are being compared to someone
considered a normal male, I can see why people would want to reach that expectation. However I
also feel those within our culture could be doing a better job of avoiding a normal body goal,
and be happy with who you are. On the other hand, these expectations are not only being placed
on how masculine or feminine you may be, but they also involve other physical characteristics
regarding ones race or ethnicity.
The following statement was made by James (2010), That this variation might be partly
related to environment adaptability was not obvious to physical anthropologists through the first
have of the twentieth century, when cultural perspectives led most researchers to focus on the
description of racial types. (p. 153) This part stood out to me because although I can see how it
is important to know the different physical characteristics certain races may have, within a
society I feel this information was used more as a form of racism. Ethnic is defined as relating to
races or large groups of people who have the same customs, religion, origin, etc. (Ethnic, n.d.)
Race is defined as a category of humankind that shares certain distinctive physical traits. (Race,
n.d.) I was born and raised in Utah, however my grandparents are from Mexico, which is why I
have a darker skin tone, and other similar features Hispanics may have. My parents are more
Americanized than my grandparents, and therefore I was raised to identify more with Americans,
rather than Mexicans. Although I was just any normal kid growing up, I did have many
experiences with being treated differently due to the color of my skin or situations where people
would assume they knew my ethnicity. With that being said, I personally feel that my ethnicity is
American, because that is what I was culturally raised into, and my race will always be Mexican,

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as that is a part of the physical traits I have. I think people can be quick to assume what type of
race or ethnicity one may be, however most of the time we may be completely off, which can
greatly offend some people. So why is it that some are offended for looking like another race or
culture? Growing up, Ive head of many different stereotypes associated with different races, and
ultimately those characteristics cannot be said about everyone. The color of your skin can be
seen either negative or positive depending on what culture you have been raised into.
Accordingly, James has provided many facts and reasonings to show that race is much more
than just the color of your skin, and I would like to talk about his findings in more depth.
James discusses his research in human adaptations revolving around cold
temperature, high altitude hypoxia, and low ultraviolet radiation. Karl Bergmann and Joel Asaph
Allen became known for Bergmanns and Allens rules, which had found that body mass
increases with latitude, and with declining climate temperature. Similar to this rule, it has been
found that the average basal metabolic rate (BMR) is much higher in environments with a lower
temperature, and a lower BMR in environments with a higher average temperature. James (2010)
stated, Recent studies among the Siberian populations suggest that thyroid hormones play an
important role in structuring this metabolic adaptation and that, moreover, this cold-related
adaptation may have a genetic basis, since BMR continues to be elevated even when the weather
is warm. (p. 157) This information would conclude that ones average BMR could be a result of
their race. Another addition to race, as shown by James, is hypoxia. Hypoxia is a deficiency in
the amount of oxygen in the air, which tends to show effects around 2,500 meters above sea
level. With hypoxia being unavoidable, one might wonder how we have civilizations living in
these higher altitudes, however the simple answer to that is by adaptation. As James has
described, although the Andean and Tibetan populations have different traits to help them reduce

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the stress from hypoxia, they have both shown adaptation to their environments, and are able to
survive these higher altitudes. Lastly, the trait to commonly define ones race, is the adaptation to
ultraviolet radiation. The variation in skin pigmentation has been shown to vary depending on the
environmental factors, as darker pigmentations tend to live near tropical areas, whereas lighter
pigmentation can be seen closer to the poles. Without skin pigmentation, people would be at risk
for skin cancer, sunburns, and a loss of folate. Folate is a vital nutrient in humans, and if we were
to have a deficiency in folate, there could be many risks, including pregnancy complications, or
loss. Thankfully due to human adaptation, we do have skin pigmentation, and this has been
shown to help balance our needs for vitamin D, while also keeping our folate at an adequate
amount. With that being said, it can be concluded that race is not what determines your skin
color, however environmental factors, and UVR levels do. (RACE, n.d.)
So why is it that we continue to determine ones race by the color of their skin? I
personally feel that due to lack of education is what hinders us from truly knowing the meaning
of race. In addition, knowing someones ability to survive through hypoxia, or their BMR rate is
not as easily seen as the color of someones skin. Before reading these articles, I had never really
considered what would cause us to have different skin colors, and if you were to ask me what
race was at that time, I would have felt that skin color was a major key point. After learning more
about the biological perspective, I now know that race includes a variety of factors, many that we
cannot determine with just the naked eye.
Culturally one would consider race as the color of your skin, or by other certain physical
features. However, biologically race cannot only be determined by ones skin color, as it can also
include traits based on different environmental factors. In addition, although there may only be
two biological sexes, it has been shown that there are more than two genders. Overall I feel this

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information sufficiently shows the different perspectives from a cultural and biological view on
human variation. I feel both perspectives are equally important in understanding the evolution of
humans.

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REFERENCES CITED:
Crocetti, D. (2013). Genes and Hormones: What Make Up an Individuals Sex. In M. AhKing (Ed.), Challenging Popular Myths of Sex, Gender and Biology (pp. 23-32).
Switzerland: Springer International.
Ethnic. (n.d.). Retrieved June 28, 2016, from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/ethnic
Gender. (n.d.). Retrieved June 28, 2016, from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/gender
James, G. D. (2010). Climate-Related Morphological Variation and Physiological
Adaptations in Homo sapiens. In C.S. Larsen (Ed.), A Companion to Biological
Anthropology (pp. 153-166). Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Race. (n.d.). Retrieved June 28, 2016, from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/race
RACE - Are We So Different? :: A Project of the American Anthropological Association.
(2015). Retrieved June 28, 2016, from http://www.understandingrace.org/home.html
Sex. (n.d.). Retrieved June 28, 2016, from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/sex