Social influence on sex roles: The role of the parent

Type :

Presentation

Pages :

4 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

07/14/2008

Category :

Social studies

Sub category :

Psychology

Oboulo.com selection criteria

$ 6.95 Add to cart

Summary :

Sex and gender are part of the essential framework of the self.
Children identify with a gender first.
Durkin's statement on gender labeling.
A highly influential way that parents direct a child's concept of gender.
The social environment that the parents create.
The media is the most easily measurable indicator of the mainstream societal beliefs.
Social roles and expected behavior based on gender.

Abstract

In developmental psychology one of the most critical topics of debate is that of nature versus nurture and the ensuing balance of the two. Both the surrounding social environment and the child's predisposition must be taken into account when examining the development of the self. As emphasized by Durkin, there is a balance between a child's response to the environment and their predetermined self. "External influences are not omnipotent" and therefore do not determine all facets of self development (Durkin, 1995, p. 297). Children are not passive in their development, nor are they a void to be filled by their parent's and society's beliefs. They are, however, affected by their environment and extremely impressionable during the crucial time of self development of infancy to adolescence. This paper aims to discuss the social dimensions that effect a child's gender development. Focusing on the role of the parent, we will also discuss general socially accepted "meanings" of being a boy and a girl.