Gender Identity: Innate or Culturally Induced?

We tend to think that gender identity is an innate observation. However, our beliefs and preconceived ideas of what a gender should possess is seemingly stemmed from cultural influence. There is no question about the physiological differences between genders, but the actual measures in which we expect certain behaviors and attitudes are more complicated and are abundant in the social spectrum of life.

Men are seemingly anticipated to be strong, assertive, and aggressive. Women are thought to be soft, meek, and more nurturing. These may have biological truths to them, but it is certainly worthwhile to explore the impact that culture has on these acuities. One important factor to consider is that gender identity has certainly fluctuated through history. There was a time in which only men were expected to work and women raise the children. It has been evident that these roles have changed in some households or expanded to inhabit more equality among them. And because sexual preferences have grown to include same-sex relationships, many genders have gone to the extreme of taking up the inspired characteristics of the opposite gender. This does not necessarily bring concern that these attributes of gender identity are the cause of maladaptive behavior (Sarason, I., Sarason, B., 2002).

When a little girl is labeled a tomboy and enjoys more masculine activities and when a young man denounces sports for theatre and creative arts, are they considered to be robbing themselves of their predestined gender identities? Or are they simply following their intrinsic desires to flourish and be successful in what they are good at? It has become more apparent through psychological studies that genders indeed possess certain qualities and characteristics, but the onset of these factors are strongly weighted by culture and upbringing (Sarason, I., Sarason, B., 2002). A child displaying the so-called behavior of the opposite gender may adapt more gender appropriate attitudes later in life. And it is also important to note that each gender is specifically prone to the same qualities of the other gender, whether it be in less evident forms or strong perpetuations.

Culture is a strong determinant in gender identity and social aspects of life will continue to attempt to modify what gender-specific traits are relevant. But psychology dares to prove that although there are simple roles in biological and behavioral characteristics, the magic of individuality always motivates continual changes that beguile the study of human behavior.

References

Sarason, I., Sarason, B. (2002). Abnormal Psychology: The problem of maladaptive behavior (10th edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Eduation.