Chapter 18 Gender identity formation

Defining Gender SEX –biological or anatomical differences between men and women GENDER –social, cultural and psychological differences between men and women Gender identity –The sense of being either masculine or feminine; usually socially embedded

OperatetogetherOperatetogether Gender lenses –i.e. structures that allow for the social construction, perception of gender Androcentrism (lens 1) The male experience is the norm or ‘neutral’ standard (female = ‘other’) Gender polarisation (lens 2) Perceived difference between male and female is central organising social principle Biological essentialism (lens 3) Biological differences between male and female are central to social organisation

Gender stereotypes Stereotype = structured set of beliefs about group attributes or properties Although gender stereotypes are widespread, they are not universal –Many countries have gender stereotypes MALE = strong, active, autonomous, aggressive FEMALE = weak, passive, nurturing, deferent –These can be very different in societies where for e.g. hunting and fishing are central to the economy, as opposed to industry

Gender identity development Critical periods (for gender id) –0 - 3 years Rudimentary gender id. develops by 36 months Children label themselves correctly, and their play is gendered –Adolescence Rapid physiological changes influence gender role development Outcome could be convergent or divergent with biological sex

Gender socialisation & class Higher income groups –Greater emphasis on individuality, on reasoning and shame for self regulation –Male adults have less physical jobs; more involved in parenting Lower income groups –Emphasis on conformity to social roles –Male adults have more physical jobs; less involved in parenting, but insist on traditional gender typing Weaker gender typing Stronger gender typing

Explanations of gender id. formation  Biological Child’s physiology will determine gender identity  Psychoanalytic Transition through psychosexual developmental stages  Cognitive developmental Gender identity is the result of cognitive elaboration of gender categories or schemata  Social learning Processes of conditioning and reinforcement produce gender consistent behaviour

Sources of influence in development Parents –Actively reproduce their own gender roles and stereotypes Buy gender-appropriate toys and clothes Reinforce gendered behaviour e.g. rough-&-tumble play Peers –Reproduce gender identities by rewarding gender consistency & punishing gender inconsistency Media –Central role in exposing children to gender stereotypes