Androgyny and Singapore society : androgynous females, secondary deviance and the development of gender deviance.

Abstract

Examining the lives of androgynous females in Singapore has provided insights on Singapore society’s attitude towards these gender deviants, the process that led to the adoption of androgyny and how these deviants negotiate their deviant identity in society’s strict system of gender binarism. Applying Lemert’s theory of secondary deviance, it is found that societal reaction to their deviance may not play a contributing and enhancing influence on their deviance. Negotiation efforts to be both a gender deviant and part of Singapore society reveals how androgyny is used as a means of fitting into society rather than standing out from it.