Daniella Akerele 09/10/2015
Discuss the roles of genes and hormones in gender development
The biological approach suggests that genes have a massive impact on people’s gender identity. An individual’s genetic makeup is decided at conception, when the sperm and egg are fertilised. The sex of a child is determined by their sex chromosomes as this determines their sex, an XX chromosome would produce a female child whilst an XY chromosome would produce a male child. Due to hormones that are released pre-natally there is also a direct link between an individual’s sex chromosomes of XX or XY and their external genitalia of a vagina or penis as well as their internal genitalia of ovaries or testes.
After conception has occured …show more content…
At about 6 months old, Reimer who had had his testes accidentally burned off had the rest of his penis removed as well as his testes. Reimer was then brought up as girl and received female hormones to develop breasts. However, throughout school Reimer (Brenda) had been depressed and when she/he learned the truth immediately reverted to his male identity by having operations to remove his breasts and construct a penis. This goes to show that gender is determined by nature and not nurture and it is inborn within us as even when Reimer was being given female hormones and being raised as a girl he still felt as if there was something wrong with him, as though he was a ‘weirdo’. He demonstrated this by his resistance to conform to feminine behaviours such as wearing dresses. The case study of Reimer also supports that of the Batista family by showing that one’s biological sex is the primary factor in developing a person’s gender identity. Also showing that having one gender is vital to know who you are as a person so that you have your own sense of …show more content…
The approach states that internal factors like genes and hormones are the cause of gender behaviours and this suggests that we are programmed a certain way depending on our sex chromosomes of XX or XY. This therefore means that we have little or no free will our choice in determining our own gender and gender identities. This contrasts with other approaches and studies which have found that we do have free will in determining these things. For example, research done into girls with CAH syndrome has found that the male gender which is given at birth is accepted by some individuals but others reject it. This shows that whilst biology determines our gender to a certain extent, we still have some free will. Also the experiences, personal qualities and socialisation of individuals have a key role in determining gender identity. Therefore, suggesting that biology alone is what determines gender ignores the free will which people
Discuss the roles of genes and hormones in gender development
The biological approach suggests that genes have a massive impact on people’s gender identity. An individual’s genetic makeup is decided at conception, when the sperm and egg are fertilised. The sex of a child is determined by their sex chromosomes as this determines their sex, an XX chromosome would produce a female child whilst an XY chromosome would produce a male child. Due to hormones that are released pre-natally there is also a direct link between an individual’s sex chromosomes of XX or XY and their external genitalia of a vagina or penis as well as their internal genitalia of ovaries or testes.
After conception has occured …show more content…
At about 6 months old, Reimer who had had his testes accidentally burned off had the rest of his penis removed as well as his testes. Reimer was then brought up as girl and received female hormones to develop breasts. However, throughout school Reimer (Brenda) had been depressed and when she/he learned the truth immediately reverted to his male identity by having operations to remove his breasts and construct a penis. This goes to show that gender is determined by nature and not nurture and it is inborn within us as even when Reimer was being given female hormones and being raised as a girl he still felt as if there was something wrong with him, as though he was a ‘weirdo’. He demonstrated this by his resistance to conform to feminine behaviours such as wearing dresses. The case study of Reimer also supports that of the Batista family by showing that one’s biological sex is the primary factor in developing a person’s gender identity. Also showing that having one gender is vital to know who you are as a person so that you have your own sense of …show more content…
The approach states that internal factors like genes and hormones are the cause of gender behaviours and this suggests that we are programmed a certain way depending on our sex chromosomes of XX or XY. This therefore means that we have little or no free will our choice in determining our own gender and gender identities. This contrasts with other approaches and studies which have found that we do have free will in determining these things. For example, research done into girls with CAH syndrome has found that the male gender which is given at birth is accepted by some individuals but others reject it. This shows that whilst biology determines our gender to a certain extent, we still have some free will. Also the experiences, personal qualities and socialisation of individuals have a key role in determining gender identity. Therefore, suggesting that biology alone is what determines gender ignores the free will which people