Influences on Gender Stereotyping and Gender Role Adoption

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Influences on Gender Stereotyping and Gender – Role Adoption

Environmental Influences

Biological Influences

The Evolutionary Perspective

Our male ancestors had to compete for mates.

The females were oriented towards child rearing and intimacy

Males became “Genetically primed for dominance”

Most societies endorse instrumental traits in males and expressive traits in females – The extent varies

Nyansongo - Older Children (male and female) care for the younger ones.

Cross – Cultural Influence

Sex Hormones

Sex hormones (like Androgen) affect development of the brain

Experiments on animals: Androgen administered prenatally promotes active play in both sexes.

Aggression and sexual behavior also increases. Care giving is suppressed.

Age 4: children spend 3 times more time with same sex friends

Age 6: 11:1

Hormones =

Boys ( Rough play, big groups

Girls ( Calm play, pairs

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Genetic defect which causes a high production of androgen in the adrenal system. No physical harm in boys. Girls are born with external genitals resembling masculine genitals.

Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome

A defect in the receptor cells of the body where androgen is supposed to be received.

Most children raised accept the designated sex regardless of their ambiguous genitalia.

Adults observe gender-stereotyped physical features in neutrally dressed infants given “boy” or “girl” labels. Ex. Boys – chubby cheeks, larger frames. Girls – softer, features.

Parents of preschoolers react negatively to “cross-gender” activities more so for boys than girls

Parental Expectations and Perceptions

Parents create gender-typed environments for their children. Boys are given guns, cars, balls and tools and girls are given dolls, household cleaning tools and tea sets.

Parents use language as an...