The focus of this week assignment is to discuss the interactions of gender, ethnicity, and identity development. In addition I will discuss the role of stereotyping and how it influence male and female gender identity. In conclusion I will discuss the impact that ethnicity and gender have on children when it comes to choosing between the ethnic identity of their family of origin and their culture.
Recent research on the interaction of gender, ethnicity, and identity has shown that every culture have had some effect on children’s and their awareness of gender bias. For example, studies has shown that eleven and twelve year old girls are more than likely to believe that they are targets of gender bias than boys, while on the other hand, boys are not as concerned with gender bias or stereotypes as girls seem to be and are usually unaware of it’s concept (Brown, Bigler & Chu,2010).
Although some may disagree, I do believe that female are targets of gender bias and have been since birth. For example, a mother is more likely to be gentle with her infant daughter than she would her infant son. Another good example of gender bias is that girls are more than likely to be given a doll to play with, while on the other hand boys would be given a toy truck or ball. This type of action can affect a child’s development.
When children experience gender bias at an early age, not only can affect their development but it can affect their behavior, beliefs, and relationship with others. Children learn by what they see their parents do or what is acted out in their communities. Studies have shown, not only do children experience gender bias at an early age but that they also learn to stereotype as early as the age of three years old.
I do agree with...
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...om this assignment is that we are a diverse culture and therefore, we all come from different backgrounds. However, by communicating with other cultures we will be able to understand their differences. I also learned that the identity of children is shaped by the influence of their families and the community. One other point that I learned is that gender bias and stereotyping develops in children at an early age and it can have a major affect on the child’s development.
In conclusion, for this week assignment, I have discussed the interactions of gender, ethnicity, and identity development. I will also discuss the role of stereotyping and how it influences male and female gender identity. In addition, I will discuss the impact that ethnicity and gender have on children when it comes to choosing between the ethnic identity of their family of origin and their culture.
This scholarly article discusses a study done on biracial identity development in children. The article discusses “the similarities and differences between Black and White racial identity development in the United States and address special challenges for the biracial child.” I hope to use it as a source when discussing the struggle to form an specific identity
The creation of an identity involves the child's understanding of the public disposition of the gender normalities, and the certain gender categories that
“We all use stereotypes all the time, without knowing it. We have met the enemy of equality, and the enemy is us,” quoted by Annie Murphy Paul, a journalist. Human beings typically have varied mindsets as they grow up with different cultural values as well as social environment. Author Gary Soto’s “Like Mexican” compares his Mexican life with his wife’s Japanese background, while author Deborah Tannen’s “Gender in the Classroom” contrasts the “gender-related styles” of male and female students. From the two perspectives Soto’s and Tannen’s experiences’ give a universal, stereotypical point how different gender tendencies, conversational styles, and cultural background can result in a miscommunication of one’s behavior.
It has been said that the physical variations in the human species have no meaning except the social one that humans put on them. Society has placed stigmas on race dating all the way back to the 1600s. Still in the 21st century the American society is still trying to work through racial boundaries. With such stigmas being placed on them, biracial individuals often self-identify or be identified by others differently, depending on the social context. A biracial individual’s racial identity development is contingent upon many factors, both internal and external. With the dramatic increase in the number of individuals with a bi or multiracial background it is important for us to recognize the complexity of the racial identity development of this culture. It is critical to understand the hardships as well as the advantages of being biracial, to help them avoid any negative behaviors which could yield lifelong consequences. The healthy development of one’s racial identity is imperative for a biracial child to be able to achieve and maintain a positive psychological and social adjustment throughout the lifespan.
Martin, C. L., Wood, C. H., & Little, J. K. (1990). The development of gender stereotype components. Child Development, 61(6), 1891-1904. doi:10.2307/1130845
Therefore, the constrictive American ideals of male and female gender identities inhibits growth and acceptance of gender expression. Each gender is separated by rules and guidelines that they must abide by. This, in turn, creates inner tensions that inhibit personal growth. For males, this may be, or is, an extraordinarily arduous task. More often than not, it is other male figures, such as the father, that administer and enforce these certain rules.
Sure, the rooms that children grow up in are a start, but the color of a room can’t determine how they will act their entire lives. Gender roles are learned in various places, such as school, church, from parents, and on television. As a child, a common game to play is, “House.” It is easy to see that even early on, a little girl knows that she is the mother and stays home to take care of the baby while her husband goes off to work (“List of Gender Stereotypes”). It is believed that these behaviors are majorly learned from parents, but can also be taught through television. Many common t.v. shows highlight typical gender roles within the home, allowing children to believe that it is “normal.” This is not even the extent of where these behaviors are learned- many come from school as well. From an early age kids learn in school what famous men in history are famous for, and what famous women are famous for. Children also learn the typical occupations of men and women in history. Most women that are nurses or teachers, while the men are lumberjacks or politicians. These are just a few examples of how many places children are drowned with information about gender stereotypes, and the pressure there is to follow
Miller, C., Lurye, L., Zosuls, K., & Ruble, D. (2009). Accessibility of Gender Stereotype Domains: Developmental and Gender Differences in Children. Sex Roles, 60(11/12), 870- 881. doi:10.1007/s11199-009-9584-x Trautner, H. M., Ruble, D. N., Cyphers, L., Kirsten, B., Behrendt, R., & Hartmann, P. (2005).
Egan, Susan K., and David G. Perry. "Gender Identity: A Multidimensional Analysis With Implications For Psychosocial Adjustment.." Developmental Psychology 37.4 (2001): 451-463. Print.
Fresh from the womb we enter the world as tiny, blank slates with an eagerness to learn and blossom. Oblivious to the dark influences of culture, pre-adult life is filled with a misconception about freedom of choice. The most primitive and predominant concept that suppresses this idea of free choice involve sex and gender; specifically, the correlation between internal and external sex anatomy with gender identity. Meaning, those with male organs possess masculine identities, which involve personality traits, behavior, etcetera, and the opposite for females. Manipulating individuals to adopt and conform to gender identities, and those respective roles, has a damaging, life-long, effect on their development and reflection of self through prolonged suppression. This essay will attempt to exploit the problems associated with forced gender conformity through an exploration of personal experiences.
This article was written to bring attention to the way men and women act because of how they were thought to think of themselves. Shaw and Lee explain how biology determines what sex a person is but a persons cultures determines how that person should act according to their gender(Shaw, Lee 124). The article brings up the point that, “a persons gender is something that a person performs daily, it is what we do rather than what we have” (Shaw, Lee 126). They ...
1. Using Kohlberg’s model of gender role development, discuss the variability of gender stereotypes for children at different ages. What accounts for children’s learning of these stereotypes? P. 153
As a child grows and conforms to the world around them they go through various stages, one of the most important and detrimental stages in childhood development is gender identity. The development of the meaning of a child’s sex and gender can form the whole future of that child’s identity as a person. This decision whether accidental or genetic can effect that child’s life style views and social interactions for the rest of their lives. Ranging from making friends in school all the way to intimate relationships later on in life, gender identity can become an important aspect to ones future endeavors.
This essay will argue that children should definitely be raised with gender, and address some key concepts and perspectives used in sociological analysis.
Humans make judgements and assumptions almost constantly. This is an extremely difficult habit to break in the classroom. With my students, I feel that I can see their strengths and weaknesses rather quickly. It is easy to get caught up in my own perception of each student and not give them the credit and opportunities they deserve. Recently, I have started to evaluate my thoughts and actions, I have discovered some of the gender biases I tend to operate under. I believe that little girls can sit and do academic work easier because they do not have as much energy as little boys. This bias has been proven completely true and completely false at times. I have one