Gender Identity Boy? Who am I? Girl? Gender Role SEX

Sex Roles: physiological status of being Sex vs. Gender Roles???? Gender Roles: ways of behaving thought to be typical of the sex to which a person belongs. Set by society norms Sex Roles: physiological status of being male or female.

First thing parents want to know about child is gender. Even in womb gender becomes most important characteristic of baby. Gender of person is determined by which sex organs Boy or Girl?!

As child grows he or she will form attitudes and ideas about their gender. Their gender role will be influenced by both biological and social factors. Gender Identity

gender roles are becoming less strict. Women are being Times change gender roles are becoming less strict. Women are being accepted in roles traditionally male dominated. Men enjoy things once considered feminine, like caring for children.

Gender Roles in United States and Other Western Cultures Women Gentle Dependent Emotional Weak Men Aggressive Independent Dominant Strong Even newborns, who show no gender differences at all are described with these terms.

Gender Identity Formation Complex process through which children incorporate biological and social factors of gender into their behaviors, attitudes, and self-understanding. Includes two processes: Gender-Identity Development & Sex-Typing or Gender Role Acquisition.

Sex Typing or Gender-Role Acquisition Process through which children learn what society expects based on gender Come to exhibit personality traits, behaviors, interests, and attitudes related to their gender.

Sex Differences in Games/Toys Boys more rigidly sex-typed than Girls

Gender stereotypes are socially determined models which contain cultural beliefs about what gender roles should be. Each society has its own stereotypes of what “perfect” gender role is. Men or Women?

Gender Constancy Understanding that gender is permanent characteristic Can’t be altered by changing clothing or cutting hair.

Gender Identity Disorder Any disorder in which there is conflict between actual sex of person and sex which he or she identifies. Relates to transgender people - people who bend or challenge gender roles.

Do Gender Roles Have Biological or Social Roots? Heated topic among psychologists & sociologists. Seem to agree that both biology & society play part in gender identity, but how much is still debatable. Nature Nurture

Biological View Testosterone Aggression Testosterone and estrogen are hormones that occur naturally in both sexes. Higher levels of testosterone create aggressive tendencies. Since males produce more testosterone, may be why males often more aggressive than females. Testosterone Aggression

Changes in estrogen levels throughout month can cause mood swings, which contributes to stereotype women are more emotional. Estrogen Mood Swings Body structure is another biological difference. Males tend to have larger body builds and more muscle tissue than females, though females tolerate more pain than males. Females has larger limbic systems, controlling emotion. Females have larger temporal lobes, controlling language. Males have more grey matter in brain.