Gender Socialization

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a girl or b aby Michelle is mistaken for a boy. Mothers and fathers make it easy for everyone to distinguish their bundle of joy by utilizing the socially established gender stereotypes. But where and how did these stereotypes come from? Unfortunately, I don't think there is a definite answer to that question. We seem to accept that blue is for boys and pink is for girls. Boys generally play with balls, toy trucks and building blocks whereas girls spend their time with dolls, tea sets and stuffed animals. But these are the stereotypes that are influenced by the parents. A baby child isn't concerned with his or her gender identity. As the child gets older though, he or she will begin to develop an identity for his or herself and establish a personality th at reflects their masculinity or femininity. In Nancy Chodorow's essay "Family Structure and Feminine Personality" she examines the development of gender identity and personality. Except for the stereotypical examples I have ...

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mother. Without the father to follow example, Chodorow concludes that a boy will identify masculine characteristics be doing that which is not feminine. This could be an explanation for the big difference in the number of chores the girls d o versus the boys. Though you might disagree with the morality of this statement, you have to admit that it is socially accepted that household chores are feminine duties. Young boys are bound to realize this and following ChodorowÕs theory, will refuse to perform a lot of chores in an attempt to become more masculine.GENDERÊANDÊTHEÊMEDIA Another aspect of everyday life that is highly influential in is the media. What we see on television or at the ...

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