Gender Identity Paper Free Essays

Gender Identity Paper Melanie Johnson University of Phoenix PSY/340 December 2, 2012 Dr. W. Scott Benson Gender Identity Hormones play a crucial part in the determination of gender and development of male or female genitalia of an embryo. We will write a custom essay sample on Gender Identity Paper or any similar topic only for you Order Now The timing of the release of these hormones is also crucial. There are two ways hormones influence sex; (1) by influencing the development from conception to sexual maturity of anatomical, physiological, and behavioral characteristics that distinguish males and females, (2) by activating the reproduction-related behavior of sexually mature adults (Pinel, 2009). This paper will attempt to discuss some of the effects hormones, biological, and environmental factors have on an individual’s sexuality. When a baby is born usually the first statement out of the doctor’s mouth is â€Å"it is a boy† or â€Å"it is a girl†. Society has traditionally believed one is born either male or female. If one is born male he is expected to be masculine, be attracted to women, and to pursue hobbies and behaviors considered to be manly. If one is born female she is expected to be feminine, to be attracted to men, and to pursue hobbies and behaviors considered to be feminine. Occasionally an individual may be born with nonconforming gender identity. What this means is an individual may be born with male or female genitalia but actually have interest and behaviors of the opposite sex. For individuals with this conflicting belief life may be extremely painful. Society deems one either male or female and has developed certain schemas for each gender. However one’s emotional gender identity may be contrary to what society has deemed the individual. A single sperm cell which fertilizes an ovum, or egg, is called a zygote. A zygote contains all the information essential for the normal growth of a complete adult organism in its natural environment (Pinel, 2009). The zygote contains 23 pairs of chromosomes; half from the producer of the sperm and half from the producer of the egg. The cells of females only have the X chromosome, the cells of males have X and Y chromosomes; this means the male is responsible for the sex of the zygote (Pinel, 2009). A male zygote will have X and Y chromosomes while a female zygote will have only X chromosomes. Males and females produce the same hormones, androgens and estrogens, in different amounts. Males produce more testosterone, which is the most common androgen, and females produce more estradiol, which is the most common estrogen. Around the sixth week of gestation the Y chromosome of the male triggers the Sry protein which causes the primordial gonad to develop into a testis; in the absence of the Sry protein the primordial gonads automatically develop into ovaries (Pinel, 2009). Throughout the gestation period various other hormones are released to prompt the development of male or female genitalia. On occasion if the embryo is exposed to conflicting hormones there may be genital abnormalities. With the advances in medical technology it is possible for expectant parents to identify the sex of their unborn child. Once sex has been determined parents begin purchasing gender specific clothes, toys, and nursery items. This innocent act of the expectant parents begins the gender identity of an unborn child (Eliza, 2011). Traditional families, a mother, a father, and one or more children, is fast becoming a rarity in today’s society. Modern families may consist of two mothers, two fathers, a single parent male or female, or perhaps a grandparent. The environment in which a child is reared has some bearing on his or her sexual preference. A child reared in a traditional family, by grandparents, or perhaps by a single heterosexual parent may be encouraged to participate in gender specific play and to conform to gender specific roles. These children may also be corrected or disciplined when engaging in play or behaviors perceived to be in conflict with his or her gender. Whereas a child reared in a homosexual environment may be allowed or encouraged to explore his or her emotions of sexuality. Homosexuality has become more prevalent in today’s society; this could be a result in society’s tolerance of homosexuality and laws passed to ensure the equal treatment of homosexuals. The author tends to believe society’s tolerance of homosexuality has encouraged more individuals to express their homosexual tendencies. In times of the ancient Greek homosexuality and bisexuality were considered natural and normal. The increase in the popularity of Christianity was one of the major factors which affected society’s view of homosexuality. Christians considered homosexuality a sin and condemned the practice of homosexuality. However, the increase in gay rights and the implementation of policies which force society to tolerate homosexuality, such as laws against discrimination, has changed the view of homosexuality. Society has taken the subject of homosexuality away from being a moral issue and turned it into a personal preference. Through the readings of this course it is the author’s belief homosexuality is both a matter of choice and also an issue of biological abnormalities. The case studies found within the text indicate a stronger correlation between hormones and sexual preference. The case of the Twin Who Lost His Penis indicated the individual’s sexuality was imprinted from early childhood. The loss of his penis and his being forced to be raised as a girl had no bearing on his male tendencies. Despite the fact he was forced to live like a girl he always â€Å"felt† like a boy. It is the opinion of the author biological factors plays a stronger role in determining ones sexuality. Environmental factors such as society’s view of homosexuality have also played an important role in the acceptance of such behavior. Through the ages society has dictated the types of behaviors and actions which are acceptable and â€Å"normal†. A generation ago smoking was acceptable and homosexuality was considered abnormal. Today’s society says smoking is unacceptable and homosexuality is normal. It is not the author’s intention to pass judgment only to direct attention to the changes society has made throughout history. One may only speculate what changes the future holds. References Eliza, A. D. , Maria, R. S. , Amy, L. S. (2011). Childhood gender identity . . . disorder? developmental, cultural, and diagnostic concerns. Journal of Counseling and Development : JCD,  89(3), 360-366. Retrieved from http://search. proquest. com/docview/873035547? accountid=35812 Pinel, J. (2009). Biopsychology. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc. How to cite Gender Identity Paper, Essay examples Gender Identity Paper Free Essays Gender Identity Paper PSY/340 Wendy Gray April 30, 2012 Kale Kirkland First let me start by trying to explain what gender identity is. Gender Identity is a sense of being either man or woman and you or a particular group such a male or female. When a person is confused about what gender they are than you have problems which arise such as a male thinking they should be a female and a male thinking they should be a female. We will write a custom essay sample on Gender Identity Paper or any similar topic only for you Order Now Hormones are a chemical messenger which produce in different glands then secreted to the necessary place which causes certain biological activity to take place. A hormone is a chemical release that alters the metabolism. There are certain hormones that are released by the pituitary gland or thyroid gland that are known to promote certain behavior. This can be seen in women mostly because the hormone will affect the way a women acts and can cause so mood changes which can be bad. Hormones have the capability to affect the neurons in the brain cells and in return this also can cause some certain behaviors. Hormones do play a huge role in the functioning of the body and the immune system. This area is a place where you can see the behavior change as a person gets older and things in the body start to change so does the levels of hormones. When a women is going through the change of life you can see such behavior as suspicion, anxiety which makes it hard to live and get along with this person. I feel that where and how a person grows up will and can affect the gender in which they believe they are. If a child that is a male and his family tries to raise him as a female this is going to affect this child and bring confusion about who he truly is. I feel it would be the same way is a female is raised a male it will confuse them in to thinking they are a male. Male and females brains are different and I do not think that people understand this and it causes confusion in the children so there in a fight trying to figure out what gender they are. Psychologists have found that children who are really smart at math were characterized with unusual physical attributes. You have to think biological things do not change as much as environmental things can. You an be in a place one minute and the next you are out so this can happen fast. Socialization can be another place where it will affect a person’s gender identity I know these days many kids can be cruel and say things to make others question who they really are. Society also plays a role in this because in this world you are to be a certain way and behavior a certain way. Society has defined who we are sometimes even if someone gets hurt in the process. I feel society does play to much of a role on how a male is to act and how a female is to act. Society also plays a role with the kind of work we are to have and it is no wonder we have so many people with the disorder gender identity disorder which is defined by strong feelings of identification with the opposite gender and not comfortable with one’s own assigned sex though not all people believe this disorder is even a disorder but a mental disorder. You have to understand that as a child trying to find out who you are you will be influenced by the people around you and they will imitate gender behaviors of the one’s they love the most, so if you are confused by who you are your child will mostly go through the same problem. Sexual differentiation is a biological process unlike gender identity. Gender identity is developed under influences of thins like environmental factors and social reinforcement also things like language and parental examples. The brain has a lot to do with who we are and how we work. Men and women have different brains and this cause as to define who we are different and when this is messed with it cause confusion. Children learn what is welcomed and what is not. They learn what behavior is acceptable and what will affect who they define themselves as. Rogers (Roberts, 2009) suggests that sex-differentiated behavior has more biological basis. He also feel that the environment can affect the brain and ultimately behavior. As one learns, feedbacks mechanisms and behavior are altered; the brain changes (Roberts, 2000). In all it will come down to whom we believe we are you see many people from TV who so not even know who they are because they have been altered to be a certain person. I think as a psychologist we can study all we want to and try to figure out how to get things like gender identity disorder fixed but still in the end it will be up to us. If a person is confused about what gender they are I fell it would be good for that person to get help and try to find out who they are. I do feel that TV and things like computers are making people confused about who they are. Let’s say you have someone on TV you want to be like and this could become so much that as a person you try to be who that TV star is. Psychologists still do not know to what extent that biological causes that may affect underline sex difference but the evidence is growing that such factors can be explained at least some behavioral differences between men and women. The brain plays a huge role on the sexual behavior of male and female. The hypothalamus and the amygdale are parts of the brain that control sexual functioning. It is also clear that your environment can have a critical effect in producing sex and gender differences. I feel have all the brain functioning as it should does help to make the right choice. The brain has so many parts and if something is off it can cause a person to not be able to function proper. I know if a person has emotional problems this will effect everything about that person even who they are. I feel if the person can get the right medication then they can begin to feel better and learn who they are. The effects of gender go beyond the mere biological fact because men and women do not have the same roles like a woman is stereotyped as a housewife, secretary and mother you do not see many men with this stereotype. In the world today this has changed some but it does still go on. To me I feel that the way you grow will be the strongest effect on what gender you choose because I know that parents are usually the example that a child will follow. I know that that may not always be the case but most times it is. If a child grows with parents that tell them all the time I wished you would have be a girl and you are a boy you will begin to hate who you are and want to change your gender to please your parents. Your mind will be so confused about your identity because your parents choose to remind you over and over and this does play with the mind of a child. In the end as a parent I feel we should be aware of what we are teaching our children so that when they grow up they are not facing with what to be a male or female. I feel we should give them the support and a loving environment they need to grow into a healthy adult. I understand that the brain can play a role in this also and that there are so many other factors that can effect a person who is trying to figure out what gender they are. Learning who you are can be hard if you are dealing with a disorder this is when I feel a psychologist should be brought in to help you understand what is going on in your References: Lazarre, S. (2008). Biological Foundation of Psychology. 11 University of Phoenix, Arizona Pinel, J. P. J. (2009). Biopsychology (7th ed. ). Boston, MA: Allyn Bacon. Roberts, C. (2000, Fall). Biological behavior? Hormonoes, psychology, and sex. Wickens, A (2005). Foundations of Biopsychology. (2nd ed. ). Harlow, England: Pearson Prentice Hall mind and give you medication if that is what is needed. How to cite Gender Identity Paper, Papers