Gender_Identity

Gender Identity Axia College of University of Phoenix What is gender identity' What determines gender identity' Many people today are trying to understand what gender identity is. “Our gender identity is our psychological awareness or sense of being male or being female and one of the most obvious and important aspects of our self-concepts” (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005 p. 175 ¶ 5). Gender identity is considered the most important part of each individual’s self-concept and is also the most obvious. Gender identity is usually but not always the same as the individual’s anatomic sex. There are several factors that help determine gender identity. Gender identity is almost always consistent with chromosomal sex. This does not necessarily mean that gender identity is determined biologically. People tend to be reared as either males or females. Gender identity is said to be influenced by both biological and psychosocial factors. Gender is not only biological, it is psychological and social. “Gender is defined as the psychological sense of being female or being male and the roles society ascribes to gender. Gender is a complex concept that is based partly on anatomy, partly on the psychology of the individual, and partly on culture and tradition” (Rathus, et al., 2005 p. 170 ¶ 2). Most people think of masculinity and femininity as opposite ends of a continuum. Most people think that the more masculine a person is the less feminine that person is. So for example, a man who shows more stereotypical feminine traits like nurturance, tenderness and emotionality is many times considered less masculine than other men. Women who are driven, competitive and tenacious are more often seen as masculine. These are stereotypes. “A stereotype is a fixed, conventional— and often distorted—idea about a group of people” (Rathus, et al., 2005 p. 184 ¶ 1). There are three factors in my life that have helped determine my own gender identity. First, I have the anatomy of a female. Second, I was raised and nurtured by my parents and family to exhibit more feminine traits. So, as you can see environment and culture can drastically influence a person’s gender identity. Third, I choose to characterize feminine beauty that is widely accepted in my culture. I keep longer hair, and wear more feminine clothing, due to my own personal choice. Physical features also play a big part in identifying one’s gender identity. Physical traits or features played a big part in helping me find my own gender identity. Society put pressure on us all to exhibit certain gender roles. A gender role is an expectation to behave in either a masculine or feminine way. Truthfully, most people exhibit both masculine and feminine traits. I hold many feminine traits such as: nurturer, sweetness, kindness, dependency and submissiveness. I am warm and emotional; these traits are more often considered to be more feminine traits. I do hold a few masculine traits as well. I am very competitive. I am strong-will and determined. I am very assertive and confrontational. Many of these traits are more often seen as masculine rather than feminine. A person has to decide their own gender identity. “The majority of children develop their awareness of their gender by the age of 18 months. By 36 months, most children have acquired a firm sense of gender identity” Rathus, et al., 2005 p. 175). Although, our gender identity is usually influenced by how we have been raised one can still choose to change it as they get older. It is important to embrace our differences, whether it is masculine traits in a female or feminine traits in a male. Because someone shows traits that might be identified as opposite of their anatomy, they are no less male or female. By embracing our differences we can avoid sexism and stereotyping. By accepting people for who they are, we can encourage others to express their own traits and embrace our differences together. Determining gender roles and gender identification is something we all encounter. Embracing those who wish to change their gender role or gender identity can create a more unified culture where people feel free to be who they want to be, rather than being who they are expected to be. Reference Rathus, S.A., Nevid, J.S., and Fichner-Rathus, L. (2005). Human sexuality in a world of diversity. (6th ed.) Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.