Final answer:
Sandra Bem refers to a person who exhibits both masculine and feminine characteristics as androgynous, indicating that gender is seen as a spectrum. The 'Fa'afafine' in Samoan culture exemplify individuals who defy the binary gender classification. Gender identity is an internal perception that can embrace a variety of gender expressions.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Sandra Bem, a person who exhibits masculine and feminine characteristics is referred to as androgynous. This is reflected in Bem's approach to understanding gender as a spectrum rather than a strict binary. Here, gender roles and gender identity are seen as distinct from biological sex, with individuals expressing traits traditionally associated with both men and women.
In cultures where gender is viewed as fluid, the dichotomy of being male or female is not absolute. For instance, within Samoan culture, the term 'Fa'afafine' describes individuals who are born biologically male but express both masculine and feminine traits. These cultural variations highlight that gender roles and identities can transcend the binary perspective of male and female that is often presumed in Western societies.
A person's gender identity is a deeply held internal perception of their gender which may include feminine, masculine, a blend of both, or even other gender experiences beyond the binary classification, showing the complexity and richness of human gender expression.