PSY/265 Version 3
September 18, 2011
Imagine a son or daughter suddenly stating he or she feels they
were born into the wrong gender and he or she has known from the age of two or
three they were the opposite sex. As
difficult as it may be, trying to identify the factors that determine gender
identity, such as genetics, sex hormones, and the physical development of
primary and secondary sexual characteristics plays a large role in understanding
this issue. When a person takes on the traditional
role of the opposite sex, it does not mean he or she is any less a man or woman;
stereotypical gender roles are becoming blurred as more people become
psychologically androgynous. As a woman,
the factors that helped me to identify with my femininity were continuing
thought processes, hormonal development, and identifying with my body
configuration. Not only individuals but
also society is struggling with the changing masculine-feminine identity as the
traditional roles that determine gender identity begin to blend. Gone are the days of gender identity at a
glance.
Genetic development is a fascinating interaction of sex chromosomal
structure, DNA, SRY gene (sex-determining region Y gene), and, the SRY
regulator, Sox 9. Sex chromosomes
determine sexual configuration (e.g. male or female), DNA, “the basic building
blocks of heredity,” is distorted by SRY molecules which determine sexual
development (Overbeek, 1999, as restated by Rathus, et. al., 2005, p. 173). Sex chromosomes linked at conception, typically
XX or XY stimulate the genetic development of a fetus to be either male or female. The Y gene causes male testes to develop; in
the absence of the Y gene female reproductive organs begin to develop. Through the expression of the SRY gene, regulated
by Sox 9, these molecules bind to DNA strands altering its properties causing
testes to form. Chromosomal females
suppress the action of Sox 9 preventing the SRY gene from altering DNA and
continue female development (Rathus, et. al., 2005). Once the development of male testes or female
reproductive organs has begun, through the expression of his or her genes, sex
hormones take over.
Sex hormones continue the process of a fetus in developing sexual
reproductive characteristics of a male or female. Androgens, male sex hormones (e.g.
testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, Mullerian inhibiting substance), are
produced from the testes; in the absence of androgens a fetus will develop
reproductively female organs (2005).
Testosterone, however, fosters the development of the male reproductive
system; “epididymis, vas deferens, and seminal vesicle” (Rathus, 2005, p. 173). Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) stimulates external
genital development, and the release of Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS)
suppresses the development of female reproductive organs. According to Rathus, et. al., (2005) the
absence of testosterone, even in a genetically XY (male) fetus, external sexual
organs would develop female characteristics.
Testosterone also provides the brain with signals to develop
insensitivity to estrogen (typically known as the female sex hormone), whereas,
the absence of testosterone signals the hypothalamus to develop a sensitivity
to estrogen; a crucial part of the female menstrual cycle.
With the development of external sexual characteristics a gender
is assigned; boy, girl, male, female.
However, while most people identify with his or her chromosomal sex,
gender identity does not necessarily follow the development of primary or
secondary sexual characteristics. Take,
for example, individuals born with external genitalia of one sex and the
internal genitalia of the other; because of societal pressures, the child may
be assigned the identity of his or her external genitalia, while brain signals
continue to determine the internal gender identity. Caught in the struggle of nature versus
nurture, masculine and feminine traits cause gender identity confusion. Just because a boy likes to play with dolls,
or a girl enjoys playing sports with the boys, does not typically mean that he
or she has gender identity issues; it may be the observer displaying identity
issues because of stereotypical male-female roles. Expanding cognitive-development views of
gender typing allow the child to conform to his or her own concepts about
gender development (Kohlberg, 1966 as restated by Rathus, et. al., 2005). Historically, gender roles have been assigned
because of physical and cognitive abilities.
Most cultures identify boys to be the strong hunter-gatherer and girls
to be sensitive and to cook, clean, and raise the children.
As a person of the female gender, there are three
factors I credit for determining my own gender identity; continuing female
thought processes, hormonal development, and identifying with my body
configuration. I have always thought of
myself as female (e.g. developing breasts and bearing children), although,
having four brothers, I loved to play with the boys; climbing trees, swimming
in the river, and trying to never let them get the best of me. When my hormones began to develop and I hit
puberty, like most children struggling between innocence and sexuality, I felt
awkward and intrigued by developing body parts and feelings toward the opposite
sex. Although I still enjoyed sports and
roughing it up with the boys, I carried with me a femininity that has never
been lost. Attracted and attractive to
men, providing a loving and nurturing home for my family, and developing a
satisfying career and personal life. I agree
with Psychologist Richard Lippa’s theory of psychological androgyny “that not
all males are extremely ‘masculine’ and not all females are overwhelmingly
‘feminine’” (Lippa, 2001 as restated by Rathus, et. al., 2005).
Gender identity a factor of genetics, hormones, and development is
still under debate as both men and women push the stereotypical roles of what
it is to be male or female. Genetics,
setting the stage for sexual development, and designed to alter specific DNA
may also alter development in other ways.
Hormones continue sexual development throughout the remaining years and is
a complex design of release and suppression that aids both male and female in
developing reproductive, primary, secondary, and cognitive sexual
characteristics. Identifying with one’s chromosomal
sex is a key factor in gender identity.
When biological factors conflict it also creates psychosocial conflicts
in identity. As society moves away from
traditional stereotypical traits and what is masculine and feminine it will be
less obvious as to what is someone’s gender identity.
No comments:
Post a Comment