Gender Identity is a person’s internal psychological self-concept of being either male or female (Zastrow, Ashman P. 399). I was born, and identify as a female. My sex is biological, and was assigned to me at birth by my doctor. My gender was learned through society which is gender-role socialization, is the process of conveying what is considered appropriate behavior and perspectives for males and females in a particular culture. (Zastrow, Ashman P. 399) Some of the agents that allow us to follow these social norms are family, education, peer groups, and media. This allows me to express myself as I see fit. Although society has shaped many of my beliefs, and standards as what it is to be a female, so have I. Gender Identity is usually formed
…show more content…
Gender was understood, and I was expected to stay in a certain mental space, a space that fit my gender. My family had expectations of how I should act, dress, play games, and who I should play with. I was expected to wear dresses, cross my legs, wear pink, and play with Barbie’s, and baby dolls. I was encouraged when I grow up to get married, and stay at home to raise my 2.5 children. Along with my 2.5 children and husband, make sure I stayed home to cook, clean, and essentially be there to serve everyone’s needs. Essentially I was being molded to be a product of my mother. I was never given a football, or even a choice in the color I may wear. I loved the color green which my wardrobe was lacking, but consisted more so of pastels. Although I may have wanted to play a ball game with the boys in my neighborhood. I knew my parents would say no. You’ll hurt yourself, boys are too rough, go play with your dolls. And I also knew the boys would have ostracized me from having any part in their “all boys team”. It just wasn’t allowed, or accepted. Why? Because I had to follow what scripted roles were created for me? These roles have and still seem so relevant. How, and why do we still remain so far gone from making the necessary changes? Will we ever be able to form our own identities, and not have society be such a strong influence on how were supposed to act. Just
Gender was understood, and I was expected to stay in a certain mental space, a space that fit my gender. My family had expectations of how I should act, dress, play games, and who I should play with. I was expected to wear dresses, cross my legs, wear pink, and play with Barbie’s, and baby dolls. I was encouraged when I grow up to get married, and stay at home to raise my 2.5 children. Along with my 2.5 children and husband, make sure I stayed home to cook, clean, and essentially be there to serve everyone’s needs. Essentially I was being molded to be a product of my mother. I was never given a football, or even a choice in the color I may wear. I loved the color green which my wardrobe was lacking, but consisted more so of pastels. Although I may have wanted to play a ball game with the boys in my neighborhood. I knew my parents would say no. You’ll hurt yourself, boys are too rough, go play with your dolls. And I also knew the boys would have ostracized me from having any part in their “all boys team”. It just wasn’t allowed, or accepted. Why? Because I had to follow what scripted roles were created for me? These roles have and still seem so relevant. How, and why do we still remain so far gone from making the necessary changes? Will we ever be able to form our own identities, and not have society be such a strong influence on how were supposed to act. Just