Male and female gender constructs Essay - 1624 Words

Our cultural beliefs dictate that there are only two biological sexes corresponding to two genders (Newman, 2001). The male and female constructs often carry with them misconceptions and stereotypes, such as the belief that gender and sex are synonymous or that gender assigned at birth indicates a specific preference for toys, interest, clothes, and eventual erotic attraction (Newman, 2001). Males are expected to exhibit masculine personality traits and be attracted to women while females are expected to exhibit feminine personality traits and be attracted to men. Research in many countries reveals that stereotyping of personality traits increases steadily in middle adolescence, becoming adult like around age 11 (Berk, 2010). For example,†¦show more content†¦Gender Identity Disorder (GID) is characterized by a strong and persistent identification with the opposite sex, discomfort with one’s own sex, and a sense of inappropriateness in the gender role of that sex (APA , 2000). In boys, the cross-gender identification is manifested by a marked preoccupation with traditionally feminine games, activities, and toys (APA, 2000). They may express a wish to be a woman when they grow up, insist on sitting to urinate, and pretend not to have a penis by pushing it between their legs (APA, 2000). In girls with GID there is an intense negative reaction to parental expectations or attempts to dress in female attire, little interest in dolls and role playing games, and she may assert that she will grow up to be a man (APA, 2000). To make the diagnosis, there must be evidence of clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning (APA, 2000). The usual pubertal changes are twice fold for children who have chosen to assume the identity of the opposite sex. Transgender teens living as boys begin to grow breast and menstruate and transgender teens living as girls begin to experience the deepening of their voice and the immersion of an Adams apple. Transgender youth frequently report verbal and physical harassment assault and a lack of feeling safe at school and many wantShow MoreRelatedGender As A Socio Cultural Construct Of Female And Male Identity That Shapes How Individuals Live And Interpret The2518 Words   |  11 Pagesâ€Å"Gender is a socio-cultural construct of female and male identity that shapes how individuals live and interpret the world around them. Gender is not natural: it is learned in society through direct and indirect means† (Knapp, 1). The purpose of this paper is to provide an examination and a comparison of the gender roles and cultural differences among men and women in Mexico and China parti cularly in the areas of traditional customs, education, family structure/marriage and labor markets. 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