The learning influence of gender development, which I will be focusing upon, is based on how a child’s environment can guide their views and perspectives on the classification of male and female. Gender is one of the fundamental ways which social life of humans is organized. One of the first questions people ask when a child is born is whether it is a boy or girl. Starting at birth people often think that boys and girls are very different. Gender matters from the trivial to the most important aspects of a human’s life.
Outline and evaluate Gender Schema Theory Gender schema theory suggests that children learn gender stereotypes by actively structuring their own experiences rather than by observing and then imitating role models as social learning theory might suggest. Unlike Kohlberg’s theory, gender schema theory suggests that gender labelling or gender identity is sufficient for children to begin actively seeking information about their gender including how they should behave and how they should look. These schemas, that are clustered information on a particular subject, come from many sources such as parents, peers and in the media where gender stereotypes are abundant. Furthermore, children will only pay attention to schemas that are relevant to their own gender and therefore are similar to themselves. For example, girls will pay attention to how other females act and boys will pay attention to how other males act.
Secondary socialisation then is the socialisation we receive in later life from a range of different socialising agencies, such as peer groups, education, mass media and the work place. The three main sociological perspectives (Marxists, functionalists and feminists) all share different views on these socialising agencies (including the family). The first socialising agency I will be looking at is the first a person comes across -- the family. The family is a form of primary socialisation, and is seen as one of the most important agencies, socialising a child into norms and values and acting as a large influence and example for the child. Because of this, the family is very important as a socialising agency, as it teaches children what is right and what is wrong within our society, as well as norms and values, through using things such as sanctions to guide and control this learning process.
As gender equity is gaining momentum in society today, it is crucial that teacher help their students identify where it exists in the classroom and school environment. The article begins by identifying the common gender stereotypes by listing terms that are commonly associated with woman, some of these include: emotional, clean, artsy, and childrearing. It then goes on to discuss those that are associated with men, some of these include: aggressive, no emotions, athletic and, money maker. (P. 13-14) The article then goes on to discuss the causes of gender inequality. The article discusses while “gender differences are the result of
Some may not understand why they do it while others do it habitually because it is what they’ve seen as far as the traditional roles and how they are supposed to dress. Once strangers know the sex of an infant, studies have shown that their attitudes, expectations, and interactions differ upon the sex. Sex stereotyping is not just upon adults, but it is also seen in children from preschool to kindergarten. Another factor that influences sex stereotypes is the media. The media portrays stereotypical advertising through commercials.
There are several contributing factors that play a role during these developmental stages such as; biological or physical elements, social status, and cultural influences. It will be defined how these factors influence middle childhood and early adolescent development. Sociological Factors Social interactions are critically important with establishing self-concept and identity during middle childhood and early adolescence. It is during the middle childhood that relationships with school peers are developed and begins the process for establishing social skills and self-esteem. Broderick & Blewitt (2015) define social comparison as comparing someone else’s abilities with their own, and this is a common practice during middle childhood and early adolescence.
Outline social factors that may influence gender roles. (8 marks) Bandura’s social learning theory suggests gender roles are learnt through observation of ‘social agents’ such as parents, peers and teachers as well as the media. This theory is based on the principles of operant conditioning with children being rewarded for behaving in their own gender and being punished for behaving inappropriately. An example of this is if a young boy is playing with dolls, he may be told off and explained to that it is wrong, likewise, a girl playing with cars and guns will told of or shouted at in the same way. Social agents model the appropriate gender specific behaviours; children observe these behaviours and learn the consequences for behaving inappropriately through vicarious reinforcement.
Social control is an agent of how individual identity, culture and ethnicity are formed. One mechanism of social control is a form of primary socialisation which takes place within the family. Right from birth a child experiences gender-role socialisation where they are taught norms of society. Norms are what society expects individuals to act. A way in which the family teaches a child certain norms is through manipulation and canalisation (according to Oakley) as particular toys and sayings are enforced on the child depending on their sex.
There is two forces relate to the gender: Gender role it refers to the expectation of the society for female and female, including attitudes, behavior, and values. We develop these expectations with the influence of our parents, teacher, friends, and as well with the motion picture, television, and other sources. The gender identity is the personal sense, for example " I am a female" or " I am a men". It could be develops from the genitals, and the body shape, biological influence. Also could be develops from the clothing and hairstyle, cultural influences.
Firstly, we must understand the term socially constructed, and how it relates to gender. Gender deals with masculinity and femininity. In sociological terms, it is the hierarchical division between men and women which is embedded in social institutions and social practices. Sex, on the other hand, is assigned at birth; based on external genitalia. “Gender is usually described as socially constructed, and sex as biological.