PYC4805
Assignment 2
Being born a boy or a girl often has implications that go beyond chromosomal,
hormonal, and genital differences.
Understanding the roles of biological features (nature) and socialised stereotyping
(nurture) in the development of gender identity in childhood and adolescence.
An Argumentative Essay by Donna Roberts
3555 836 9
,Table of contents
Plagiarism Declaration pg. 2
Introduction and thesis statement pg. 3
Key terms discussion pg. 3
Nature vs Nurture pg. 4
Conclusion pg. 7
Reference List pg. 8
DONNA ROBERTS – PYC8405 – ASSIGNMENT 2 2
,Introduction
In a petition delivered to a leading private girls’ school the recent school policy
change has been challenged. Recently a transgender girl was admitted to the
school. While the petition states a support for transformation in gender and sex
policy, it raises concern around the implementation of these changes. The petition
questions the school’s rules and procedures for dealing with this and challenges if
the classroom is the appropriate environment to “direct intimate aspects of the
sexual emotional development of children and adolescents.” (Ian Macleod). Gender
is currently a very emotive societal debate as the LBGTQ+ community gains a
stronger voice and acceptance within society. This emerging acceptance, however,
has come with many challenges and questions. What is the communities (or
schools) influence on a child’s developing gender identity?
Examining gender development requires insight into both the nature and nurture that
influences a person’s identity and how this unfolds and becomes entrenched as a
static construct. While several theories exist to explain gender identity development,
this essay aims to show the consequential causative effect of both nature and
nurture in gender identity development and the roles an individual take son in society
because of this.
Key Terms in Discussion
“Being born a boy or girl has implications that carry considerably beyond the
chromosomal, hormonal, and genital differences. Virtually all of human function has
a gender cast – appearances, mannerism, communication, temperament, activities
at home and outside, aspirations, and values” (Ruble, Martin, & Berenbaum, 2006, p.
858).
The question needs to be asked, what are the general explanations and influences
during the development of gender identity in childhood and adolescence.
Researchers believe that there are scientific explanations as to why people behave
the way they do.
DONNA ROBERTS – PYC8405 – ASSIGNMENT 2 3
, Firstly, we need to have an understanding of the meaning of gender, sex, identity,
roles, nature and nurture:
1. Gender according to the Oxford dictionary, refers to either of the two sexes,
with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones.
2. Sex according to the Oxford dictionary, is either male or female divided based
on their reproductive function.
3. Gender identity is the awareness of being male or female that develops from
infancy throughout their upbringing and maturing during adolescence.
(Coleman, 2015)
4. Gender role is the behaviour patterns that are the characteristics
stereotypically associated with being male or female within a culture.
(Coleman, 2015)
5. Nature in Belsky, 2018: is the innate biological influence on one’s behaviour
from birth which includes chromosomes, genes and hormones.
6. Nurture in Belsky, 2018: is the influence of culture, environment, role-models,
education and society.
The formation of gender identity is not completely understood because there are a
number of contributing factors that influence gender identity development.
Discussion: Nature or Nurture
A combination of environmental circumstances and genetics have an influential role
on the development of a child’s gender identity. Nature decides the sex of a newborn
child and these biological features have a significant impact on identity development.
However, culture and society have an influential role on a child’s identity
development since a child is conditioned to seek out gender stereotypical behaviors
and role-models. Cognitive theorists generally regard gender as a social construct,
which means that the concept does not exist naturally, but rather as a concept
created by cultural and societal norms. The biological approach, however, suggests
that gender and sex are indistinguishable and determined by hormones and
chromosomes.
DONNA ROBERTS – PYC8405 – ASSIGNMENT 2 4
Assignment 2
Being born a boy or a girl often has implications that go beyond chromosomal,
hormonal, and genital differences.
Understanding the roles of biological features (nature) and socialised stereotyping
(nurture) in the development of gender identity in childhood and adolescence.
An Argumentative Essay by Donna Roberts
3555 836 9
,Table of contents
Plagiarism Declaration pg. 2
Introduction and thesis statement pg. 3
Key terms discussion pg. 3
Nature vs Nurture pg. 4
Conclusion pg. 7
Reference List pg. 8
DONNA ROBERTS – PYC8405 – ASSIGNMENT 2 2
,Introduction
In a petition delivered to a leading private girls’ school the recent school policy
change has been challenged. Recently a transgender girl was admitted to the
school. While the petition states a support for transformation in gender and sex
policy, it raises concern around the implementation of these changes. The petition
questions the school’s rules and procedures for dealing with this and challenges if
the classroom is the appropriate environment to “direct intimate aspects of the
sexual emotional development of children and adolescents.” (Ian Macleod). Gender
is currently a very emotive societal debate as the LBGTQ+ community gains a
stronger voice and acceptance within society. This emerging acceptance, however,
has come with many challenges and questions. What is the communities (or
schools) influence on a child’s developing gender identity?
Examining gender development requires insight into both the nature and nurture that
influences a person’s identity and how this unfolds and becomes entrenched as a
static construct. While several theories exist to explain gender identity development,
this essay aims to show the consequential causative effect of both nature and
nurture in gender identity development and the roles an individual take son in society
because of this.
Key Terms in Discussion
“Being born a boy or girl has implications that carry considerably beyond the
chromosomal, hormonal, and genital differences. Virtually all of human function has
a gender cast – appearances, mannerism, communication, temperament, activities
at home and outside, aspirations, and values” (Ruble, Martin, & Berenbaum, 2006, p.
858).
The question needs to be asked, what are the general explanations and influences
during the development of gender identity in childhood and adolescence.
Researchers believe that there are scientific explanations as to why people behave
the way they do.
DONNA ROBERTS – PYC8405 – ASSIGNMENT 2 3
, Firstly, we need to have an understanding of the meaning of gender, sex, identity,
roles, nature and nurture:
1. Gender according to the Oxford dictionary, refers to either of the two sexes,
with reference to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones.
2. Sex according to the Oxford dictionary, is either male or female divided based
on their reproductive function.
3. Gender identity is the awareness of being male or female that develops from
infancy throughout their upbringing and maturing during adolescence.
(Coleman, 2015)
4. Gender role is the behaviour patterns that are the characteristics
stereotypically associated with being male or female within a culture.
(Coleman, 2015)
5. Nature in Belsky, 2018: is the innate biological influence on one’s behaviour
from birth which includes chromosomes, genes and hormones.
6. Nurture in Belsky, 2018: is the influence of culture, environment, role-models,
education and society.
The formation of gender identity is not completely understood because there are a
number of contributing factors that influence gender identity development.
Discussion: Nature or Nurture
A combination of environmental circumstances and genetics have an influential role
on the development of a child’s gender identity. Nature decides the sex of a newborn
child and these biological features have a significant impact on identity development.
However, culture and society have an influential role on a child’s identity
development since a child is conditioned to seek out gender stereotypical behaviors
and role-models. Cognitive theorists generally regard gender as a social construct,
which means that the concept does not exist naturally, but rather as a concept
created by cultural and societal norms. The biological approach, however, suggests
that gender and sex are indistinguishable and determined by hormones and
chromosomes.
DONNA ROBERTS – PYC8405 – ASSIGNMENT 2 4
