the knowledge that gender is a permanent characteristic and will not change with superficial alterations
gender identity
individual identification of self as female or male
gender identity disorder
a disorder that occurs when a child rejects the gender role that corresponds to biological sex and adopts cross-gender behaviors and possibly a cross-gender identity
synthesized realism
a mixture of actual information with phony details into a realistic portrayal that is really fiction
transsexual
an individual who receives hormonal and surgical treatment to be changed to the other sex
the process of gender development
begin during infancy
ages 2 to 3: apply gender labels and understand behaviors and features
ages 6 to 7: complete understanding
understanding of gender throughout life span
children: rigid and inflexible in application of gender rules
stereotyping not as strong during adolescents and adulthood
biology and gender development
biology influences gender development
difficult to distinguish from social influences
identification of genitals prompts social events related to gender development
prenatal hormone exposure affects gender typed behaviors more than gender identity
gender socialization of children
important influence by families
traditional families have children with traditional gender attitudes
fathers tend to promote traditional gender behaviors most
parents and siblings create a gendered environment
peers push others towards inflexible gender roles
media influence on gender stereotyping
strong force in establishing and perpetuating traditional gender roles
diagnosis and treatment of gender identity disorder
requires persistent identification with and desire to be the other gender