Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and The Social...

Although we live in modern times, stigmas regarding gender identity cease to exist. These biases are prevalent within various cultures. Male and female adolescents are stifled from expressing themselves based on how they personally relate to their own femininity or masculinity and sex roles. The cause of this constriction of emotions is due in large part to these young people being coerced into obeying the rules of society. In addition, societal constructions seem to totally disregard the physiological and biological aspects of adolescent puberty. We acquire sexual orientation and gender identity during adolescence due to puberty, culture and our surrounding environment. For instance, puberty takes place over several years†¦show more content†¦(Money, 1976, p. 197) Another instance is, during adolescence the brain is not yet fully developed, yet goes through changes which affect behavior and the decision-making processes. However, certain characteristics are innate due to h eredity. The biological make-up of both mother and father is passed along to their offspring due to the genetic system comprised of an arrangement of genes and DNA. In a book titled, â€Å"Behaviorism†, John B. Watson explains, â€Å"Many of the most important features of development and of individuality result from the way the genes are disposed in the cells, their actual physical arrangement and consequent behavior†. (2008, p. 52). Adolescence is a time when young adults venture out and experiment to quell their curiosities. Finding a sense of self and fitting in is of the upmost importance. This is the age when peer- pressure falls into place. Legal and illegal substances are being sampled, sexual identity is being discovered and the choices which are made may not be too pleasing to the parents of individuals. (Meschke, Bartholomae, Zentall, 2000, p. 147). For example, children are being rejected and not accepted for who they really are. (Dreger, 2009, p. 27). â€Å"Differences between boys and girls increase with age and are the result of increased socialization pressures to conform to traditional masculine and feminine sex roles.† (Galambos et al.Show MoreRelatedAge Groups And The Lifecycle1432 Words   |  6 PagesChildren (Ages 3-12). Gender labels are placed on children prior to and after birth as we are taught about gender binary in an â€Å"either/or† fashion (Janssen Erickson-Schroth, 2013) during early years of development. For example, the newborn is either a boy or a girl and this predisposes children to gender specific ideologies. Gender revealing parties and baby showers are notorious for continuing traditional societal viewpoints of binary assumptions – girl or boy. Gender roles are established atRead MoreSexual Sexuality And Its Effects On Society1443 Words   |  6 Pagesrapid commencement of paired sexual practices during the latter years or adolescence. Sex is much more than it used to be. Sexual desire is now considered central to human identity, and sexual self-expression is seen by many to be essential for heathy personhood. The media, public schools and medical professional often teach that healthy adults, or even adolescents, should explore their desires and express them. At th e same time, sex is much less than it used to be. Sexual acts are often consideredRead MoreCommunication Between African American Mothers and Their Daughters1740 Words   |  7 Pagesthe restrained prospects for African American males. As a result, girls observed the dual identity of their mothers and other prominent women in the society and internalized these identities (Lee Ashcraft, 2005). Despite so many challenges and stressors during parenting, African American mothers play a significant role in development of perceived self-identity and goal oriented behaviors among their adolescent daughters. Mother-Daughter Relationship According to Bynum Kotchick (2006), scholarsRead MoreThe Issue Of Adolescent Homosexuality2435 Words   |  10 Pagesteenagers to be who they truly are because of the risk of being ostracized and isolated by their peers. There are certain pressures and prejudices imposed by a predominately heterosexual society on homosexuals, and especially on homosexual teens, that can cause teenagers to suppress their preferences. These stereotypes can influence if a teen is willing to openly reveal their sexual identity and because society has become so absent- minded to the mannerisms commonly used to describe homosexuals such as queerRead MoreGay Teens: Accepting the Unaccepted1199 Words   |  5 PagesGrowing up is a complex and puzzling task for every teenager or adolescent. One important feature is creating ones sexual identity. All teenagers explore and experiment sexually as part of normal development. These sexual experiments may be with members of the same or opposite sex. For man y teenagers, thinking about or experimenting with the same sex may cause nervousness and concerns regarding their sexual orientation. Most teenagers have been brought up to think that homosexuality is wrongRead MoreAdolescent Stages of Development1500 Words   |  6 PagesAdolescent Stages of Development Adolescence is probably the most difficult period in life of every individual since it is a transitional stage between childhood and adulthood. In this period adolescents undergo significant changes in physiological, psychological and social aspects. Naturally, these changes produce a significant impact on their lifestyle, behaviour, psychology, etc. Traditionally, adolescence is considered to start at preteens, mostly from around 9-10 years of age till 19-20 yearsRead MoreSocial Roles And Identity1367 Words   |  6 PagesSocial roles and identities impact our everyday lives in means that often go undetected. Perhaps experiencing social identities has become mundane because of the commonality and predictability of most situations; we are used to experiencing roles in the ways that they are most often presented to us. However, varying environments may produce or favor certain behaviors and identifications over others. Middle school, for example, is a transformative time for many adolescents as they begin to form interestsRead MoreSociological causes of Homosexuality4486 Words   |  18 Pages â€Å"THE SOCIOLOGICAL CAUSES OF HOMOSEXUALITY Department of Social Sciences College of Arts and Sciences University of the Philippines, Los Baà ±os Los Baà ±os, Laguna October 2012 INTRODUCTION The existence of gender classification determines our sexual segmentation. They are classified as either males or females. These gender classifications are also used as bases of physical work capacities, clothing preferences, decisions for priority and the like. More often than not, these segmentationsRead MoreGender Identity Disorder2712 Words   |  11 PagesGender Identity Disorder What is gender identity disorder? Gender identity disorder (GID) is the formal diagnosis used by psychologists and physicians to describe persons who experience significant gender dysphoria (discontent with the biological sex they were born with). It is a psychiatric classification and describes the attributes related to transsexuality. Gender identity disorder in children is usually reported as having always been there since childhood, and is considered clinicallyRead MoreGender Socialization And Social Control1508 Words   |  7 Pagesand large, gender socialization is a major contributor to identity and self- concept. Gender therefore becomes a characteristic that defines other’s perceptions and evaluations of us. People come to manage gender along with aspects of other aspects of the self by making sure that we are acting in gender-appropriate way (Goffman, 1959, Libby). In itself, the self is a product of social forces and it emerges through socialization. Being that gender is a major function of one’s identity, stereotypes