A.DUBE 65954424 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………...…….2
Discussion of Topic…………………………………………………………………………....2
Nurture……………………………………………………………………………………..2
Nature………………………………………………………………………………………4
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….….4
Reference List……………………………………………………………………………….…5
, A.DUBE 65954424 2
Introduction
Socialization can be defined as the process in which a person acquires social skills or a
particular behavior necessary for effective functioning within a social setting or in a particular
society. This occurs through parents, peers, and friends or at school. This socialization provides
nurture explanation of the gender differences. Socialization occurs through modeling,
reinforcement, or observation (Boe and Woods, 2017). There have been studies from different
scholars which support that both biological features and socialized stereotyping plays a crucial
role in the development of gender identity in childhood and adolescence. This paper seeks to
explore and discuss the thesis statement which is: both socialization and biological features
plays a role in identity development with socialization being the most contributing factor.
Discussion of the topic
Nurture (Socialization)
Socialization begin in the home. The values and attitudes of parents play a pivotal role in gender
socialization. For instance, parents may give different household chores to children based on
their sex boys cutting grass and girls cooking (Ruble, Martin & Berenbaum, 2006). This teaches
gender stereotypes to the children. Parents also encourage characteristics and behavior they
deem perfect for that particular gender. This means that parents may discourage girls from
being violent or aggressive but encourage them to be soft and nurturing whereas boys will be
discouraged form from showing emotions such as crying (Ruble, Martin & Berenbaum, 2006)
as they will be told that ‘only girls cry’. This will then contribute to children learning the
differences between a boy and a girl consequently the development of gender identity.
According to the biosocial theory cited in (Endendijk, Groeneveld, Kranenburg, and Mesman,
2016), the differences in gender and gender identity development arise from how society divide
and defines gender roles. In present-day societies, socialized stereotyping still plays a crucial
role in the development of gender identity in childhood and adolescence. Socio-cultural
theories as discussed by Meyers and Loken, (2016) argue that gender identity differences are
shaped by environmental, cultural, social, and psychological factors. Socio-cultural influences
and physical differences are the key factors that have an impact on gender differences. Physical
differences in the women’s ability to give birth and nurture children, cook and perform
domestic chores whereas for men it is the ability to do hard work and provide for the family
economically.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………...…….2
Discussion of Topic…………………………………………………………………………....2
Nurture……………………………………………………………………………………..2
Nature………………………………………………………………………………………4
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….….4
Reference List……………………………………………………………………………….…5
, A.DUBE 65954424 2
Introduction
Socialization can be defined as the process in which a person acquires social skills or a
particular behavior necessary for effective functioning within a social setting or in a particular
society. This occurs through parents, peers, and friends or at school. This socialization provides
nurture explanation of the gender differences. Socialization occurs through modeling,
reinforcement, or observation (Boe and Woods, 2017). There have been studies from different
scholars which support that both biological features and socialized stereotyping plays a crucial
role in the development of gender identity in childhood and adolescence. This paper seeks to
explore and discuss the thesis statement which is: both socialization and biological features
plays a role in identity development with socialization being the most contributing factor.
Discussion of the topic
Nurture (Socialization)
Socialization begin in the home. The values and attitudes of parents play a pivotal role in gender
socialization. For instance, parents may give different household chores to children based on
their sex boys cutting grass and girls cooking (Ruble, Martin & Berenbaum, 2006). This teaches
gender stereotypes to the children. Parents also encourage characteristics and behavior they
deem perfect for that particular gender. This means that parents may discourage girls from
being violent or aggressive but encourage them to be soft and nurturing whereas boys will be
discouraged form from showing emotions such as crying (Ruble, Martin & Berenbaum, 2006)
as they will be told that ‘only girls cry’. This will then contribute to children learning the
differences between a boy and a girl consequently the development of gender identity.
According to the biosocial theory cited in (Endendijk, Groeneveld, Kranenburg, and Mesman,
2016), the differences in gender and gender identity development arise from how society divide
and defines gender roles. In present-day societies, socialized stereotyping still plays a crucial
role in the development of gender identity in childhood and adolescence. Socio-cultural
theories as discussed by Meyers and Loken, (2016) argue that gender identity differences are
shaped by environmental, cultural, social, and psychological factors. Socio-cultural influences
and physical differences are the key factors that have an impact on gender differences. Physical
differences in the women’s ability to give birth and nurture children, cook and perform
domestic chores whereas for men it is the ability to do hard work and provide for the family
economically.
