Gender Development
Gender refers to an individual's anatomical sex, or sexual assignment, and the
cultural and social aspects of being male or female. An individual's personal sense of
maleness or femaleness is his or her gender identity. Outward expression of gender
identity, according to cultural and social expectations, is a gender role. Either gender
may live out a gender role (a man or a woman, for instance, can be a homemaker) but
not a sex role, which is anatomically limited to one gender (only a woman can gestate
and give birth).
Gender identity
Gender identity appears to form very early in life and is most likely irreversible
by age 4. Although the exact cause of gender identity remains unknown,
biological, psychological, and social variables clearly influence the process.
Genetics, prenatal and postnatal hormones, differences in the brain and the
reproductive organs, and socialization all interact to mold a toddler's gender
identity. The differences brought about by physiological processes ultimately
interact with social‐learning influences to establish clear gender identity.
Psychological and social influences on gender identity
Gender identity is ultimately derived from chromosomal makeup and physical
appearance, but this derivation of gender identity does not mean that
psychosocial influences are missing. Gender socialization, or the process
whereby a child learns the norms and roles that society has created for his or
her gender, plays a significant role in the establishment of her or his sense of
femaleness or maleness. If a child learns she is a female and is raised as a
female, the child believes she is a female; if a child is told he is a male and is
raised as a male, the child believes he is male.
Beginning at birth, most parents treat their children according to the appearance
of their genitals. Parents even handle their baby girls less aggressively than
their baby boys. Children quickly develop a clear understanding that they are
either female or male, as well as a strong desire to adopt gender‐appropriate
mannerisms and behaviors. This understanding normally occurs within 2 years
of age, according to many authorities. In short, biology sets the stage, but
children's interactions with social environments actually determine the nature of
gender identity.
Gender roles
Gender roles are both cultural and personal. These roles determine how males
and females think, speak, dress, and interact within the context of society.
Learning plays a role in this process of shaping gender roles. These gender
schemas are deeply embedded cognitive frameworks regarding what defines
masculine and feminine. While various socializing agents—educators, peers,
Gender refers to an individual's anatomical sex, or sexual assignment, and the
cultural and social aspects of being male or female. An individual's personal sense of
maleness or femaleness is his or her gender identity. Outward expression of gender
identity, according to cultural and social expectations, is a gender role. Either gender
may live out a gender role (a man or a woman, for instance, can be a homemaker) but
not a sex role, which is anatomically limited to one gender (only a woman can gestate
and give birth).
Gender identity
Gender identity appears to form very early in life and is most likely irreversible
by age 4. Although the exact cause of gender identity remains unknown,
biological, psychological, and social variables clearly influence the process.
Genetics, prenatal and postnatal hormones, differences in the brain and the
reproductive organs, and socialization all interact to mold a toddler's gender
identity. The differences brought about by physiological processes ultimately
interact with social‐learning influences to establish clear gender identity.
Psychological and social influences on gender identity
Gender identity is ultimately derived from chromosomal makeup and physical
appearance, but this derivation of gender identity does not mean that
psychosocial influences are missing. Gender socialization, or the process
whereby a child learns the norms and roles that society has created for his or
her gender, plays a significant role in the establishment of her or his sense of
femaleness or maleness. If a child learns she is a female and is raised as a
female, the child believes she is a female; if a child is told he is a male and is
raised as a male, the child believes he is male.
Beginning at birth, most parents treat their children according to the appearance
of their genitals. Parents even handle their baby girls less aggressively than
their baby boys. Children quickly develop a clear understanding that they are
either female or male, as well as a strong desire to adopt gender‐appropriate
mannerisms and behaviors. This understanding normally occurs within 2 years
of age, according to many authorities. In short, biology sets the stage, but
children's interactions with social environments actually determine the nature of
gender identity.
Gender roles
Gender roles are both cultural and personal. These roles determine how males
and females think, speak, dress, and interact within the context of society.
Learning plays a role in this process of shaping gender roles. These gender
schemas are deeply embedded cognitive frameworks regarding what defines
masculine and feminine. While various socializing agents—educators, peers,
