Gender_Identity

Gender Identity Lisa Hayes PSY/265 05/29/2011 Carol Watson Gender Identity When I hear the word Gender I automatically think about the physical characteristics of being male or female. After reading in this chapter I discovered that gender is the psychological state of being female or being male that is influenced by cultural concepts of gender appropriate behavior (Rathus et al., 2005, p. 171). There has been much speculation over the years as to what determines the sexual identity of a human being. Aristotle thought that the temperature of semen determined the anatomical difference between male and female. Hot semen created males, and cold semen created females. It is actually a little more complicated than that. Chromosomes from both the male and female parent combine. These chromosomes form the genetics of this new human being. The female ovum carries an X chromosome, but the sperm cell can carry either an X or a Y chromosome. If the sperm cell carries an X, it will most likely be female. If the sperm cell carries a Y, it will most likely be male. That is a major difference from the theory of heat, and also the theory of left and right where it is believe that depending on what testicle the semen is from then that will determine the sex of the child. As you can see the sex of a child consist of the physical side of things, but the gender identity is more of the psychological aspect. Even though gender identity is almost always lined up with the chromosomal sex, it does not certify that it is biologically determined. We are mostly categorized as male and female by our physical appearances. So it has to be sorted out whether gender identity is nature or nurture. It has been concluded that gender identity is influenced by complex interactions of biological and psychological factors (Rathus et al., 2005, p. 177). Scientist studied the cases of intersexualism and hermaphrodites. Even though these disorders caused the individual to sometimes have both physical aspects of both sexes, the individual usually took on one of those gender roles. For me, I believe that my gender identity was first comprised of what I was “born with”. I have female organs so that started my life as a female human being. Then the way I was raised up also determined my gender identity. I was bought dolls and my hair was grown out long. I was bought girl clothes and shoes and given a girl name. There was never any confusion for me. I embraced my femininity. Another factor for me is my sexual preference. I am attracted to the opposite sex and felt the need or want to be with the same sex. I also never felt the need to be masculine in any way when it comes to masculine stereotypes. Even though I like to wear sneakers most of the time and jeans, I don’t think that makes me confused with my gender identity. I also like to work on cars sometimes because of some stuff that I have learned. That is considered something that only males enjoy doing or are able to do, but I enjoy. That doesn’t mean I think I am a man or identify more with males. In conclusion, our gender identity is contributed to both mental and physical aspects. The way we were raised and what we are born with can determine the roles that we take in life. Gender and sex are in reference to the same thing, and neither is our gender development or sexual development. There are many people that feel that they are born in the wrong body. They may have been born with male genitals, but feel like a female on the inside. Is this something that is all in their mind' Or did something go wrong in the womb' References: Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J.S., and Fichner-Rathus, L. (2005). Human sexuality in a world of diversity. (6th ed.) Boston: Allyn and Bacon.