1. How we learn to be “boys” and “girls”

Powlishta, K.K., Sen, M.G., Serbin, L.A., Poulin-Dubois, D., & Eichstedt, J.A. (2001). From infancy through middle childhood: The role of cognitive and social factors in becoming gendered. In Unger, R.K. (Ed.), Handbook of the psychology of women and gender.

2. “Cognitively oriented theories of gender-role development propose that such behaviors and preferences follow directly from the tendency to categorize on the basis of gender and to form gender stereotypes. That is, because of a desire to behave in a gender-consistent manner, children come to prefer people, activities, and objects associated with their own sex.”

“Social learning theory, on the other hand, places more emphasis on the impact of the social environment on gender-role development. Exposure to gender-typed models and reinforcement contingencies encourages children to behave in a gender-typed manner (Mischel, 1966).”

3. Personal development: How we create gender

Crawford, M. (2001) Gender and language. In Unger, R.K. (ed.). Handbook of the psychology of women and gender.           

4. Essentialist  Theory or Social Constructionist p.230-231

“Essentialism conceptualizes gender as a set of properties residing in one’s personality, self-concept, or traits. Gender is something women and men have or are; it is a noun (Bohan, 1993).”

In contrast, the Social Constructionist views gender as a social construct-a system of meaning that organizes interactions and governs access to power and resources. From this view, gender is not an attribute of individuals but a way of making sense of transactions. Gender is conceptualized as a verb, not a noun.”

After reading the articles above, please respond to the following questions by selecting Reply below, do not create a new thread.:

Describe some of the ways socializing influences (Ex. family, peers, media, school, religion/faith, school) encouraged you to conform to traditional gender norms.  Do you think you will encourage, or have you encouraged your own children to conform to traditional gender norms? Why or why not?

View the YouTube video links below: I am Jazz, A Family in Transition

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Wh6NecfMiE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuoJEy70XjE

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwoYrYLtkJA

What might you find most challenging if your child identified as trans* (transgender) or another non-conforming gender identity?

Why does the gender pay gap persist? How is racial inequality shaped and reinforced?