Gender Development

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Gender Development
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When and how does gender develop?
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Gender development starts early
Is it a boy or a girl???
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Interactive model of Gender Development
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Socialization and gender

• Differential gender socialization
• Studies re boy and girl infants and clothing
• Shakin et al., 1985, found that 90 of all
  infants observed at an American shopping mall
  were wearing clothing that was gender specific
• Examples of how this continues into adolescence,
  for girls and boys
• Cross-cultural examples (Rights of Passage
  video)

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Boys Development

• Discuss homework on achieving manhood
• BOYS WILL BE BOYS?
• Boys' testosterone levels make them "naturally"
  more aggressive. But
• To what extent is a boy's behavior shaped by his
  family, peers, and his nature? (A.J., Sopranos,
  Season 1, episode 7)

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Gender Intensification Hypothesis

• Differences between males and females become more
  pronounced at adolescence because of the
  intensified socialization pressures to conform to
  culturally prescribed roles