Sukupuolittuneen

Sukupuolittuneen is the genitive singular form of the participial adjective sukupuolittunut, meaning gendered or gender-based. It is used in Finnish to describe phenomena, practices, or representations that are shaped by gender norms or stereotypes. As a grammatical form, sukupuolittuneen appears whenever the modified noun is in the genitive singular, for example in phrases such as sukupuolittuneen kielenkäytön vaikutus (the impact of gendered language use) or sukupuolittuneen kuvan ylläpitäminen (the maintenance of a gendered image).

In sociolinguistics and gender studies, the term is common in discussions of how language, media and social practices reproduce or challenge gender roles. It is often contrasted with sukupuolittuminen (the process of gendering) and with efforts toward sukupuolineutraali kieli (gender-neutral language). Critics argue that gendered language can reinforce stereotypes and inequalities, while proponents claim it can reflect social reality, motivate change, or raise awareness.

The concept is primarily a grammatical descriptor rather than a standalone technical label. Its significance lies in how it functions to characterize bias or stereotypes within discourse, including media representations, educational materials, and everyday communication.