Gender Identity Paper
Abstract
In the following paper we will go into the explanation of “ Gender Identity” the interaction between hormones and behavior, pertaining to how it effects the determination of it. For many the terms “gender or sex” are similar to one another, many believe this concept to be true. That is mainly the reason why it is rarely questioned. In reality sex and gender are actually very unalike, gender is not inherently connected to ones physical anatomy. Sex, biological including physical characteristics like chromosomes, sex hormones, internal reproductive structures and outer genitals. This allows one to determine if one is either male or female at birth. Gender is a little more complex. Also explain in detail on the roles of biological factors. It will include both nature and environmental influences and compare them to nature. We will touch on the debate on nature versus nurture and also talk about sexual differentiation pertaining to gender identity.
Gender Identity
Gender identity starts from the moment we are born. Gender is known as a dual concept known as a male or female. From the moment we are in the hospital as new born, our parents take a glance between our legs and label us as the gender that we will carry on for the rest of our lives. Society also shapes us in many ways; they set gender categories that have an effect and influence our formation on our social identity. Society influences the way we view ourselves through gender roles. From early on, in school we are taught what is “lady like” or what “boys don’t do” such as cry (Ding elder, 2004). We are taught that females have to be the ones who take care of the children, who cook, clean, and drive the family around. The men are the breadwinners, the providers, and they hold the family together. These are social norms. If we step outside these norms we are viewed as outcasts and sometimes teased or bullied for it. Even though these norms are not written, we learn these growing up and the evidence that this is still a major issue is right in front of us. One quick example that I can use is the income gender gap inequality. If a female is the CEO of a major company in the United States, and a male also has the same job in another company, the odds are almost one hundred percent of the time the male will be making a higher salary. So whether we are male or female it is not ultimately determined by our sex organs, but rather, our beliefs behaviors and characteristics. The way we act, talk, and behave whether it is feminine or masculine, help us get to the core of our gender and gender identity. Gender refers to what society expects from us as far as the way we should act as either women or men. Gender Identity is the way we feel and the way we express our gender to others including the way we dress, talk, and act. For some people their gender identity does not match their biological sex.
Biological factors
Biological factors; some of the research suggests that the development of gender identity is linked to hormonal and genetic influences. Research also suggests that we acquire gender identity through genetic and hormonal factors rather than through socialization. Some research also suggests that a hormone, which determines our sex, is produced as early as the fetal stage of reproduction (Dombeck, 2004). It is said that if there are high levels of androgens, then a penis and scrotums will develop. On the other hand, if the levels of androgens are low, then a clitoris and labia will develop. If the prenatal hormone levels are altered, then the brain may not match the genetic makeup of the fetus or its organs. Genes also play a fundamental part of gender identity. For us humans, we inherit thousands of genes from our parents. These genes are then arranged into twenty-three pairs of chromosomes. One of which is a pair of what is known as “sex chromosomes”. For the males they usually have