Gender identity
 

Can someone tell me why it is important for young children to develop gender identity? My mind is going blank.
Thanks in advance.

Hi, developing an awareness of gender identity doesn't apply solely to self it's about having an awareness of gender roles, potential discrimination, prejudice, stereotypes, the differences between the genders and equality.


This is a quote from page 63 of Understanding Child Development - Linking theory to practice 2nd edition

Over the last quarter of the twentieth century, it was largely unacceptable to study male-female differences and certainly to allow that there could be a biological explanation for differences, at least as important as the power of socialisation. Even at the beginning of the twenty first century. Simon Baron-Cohen (2003) describes his extreme caution about presenting his ideas that adult male and female brains work differently: not better or worse, just in a different way. There is definitely room for caution, given some of the sweeping myths about s e x differences in brain development. Lise Elliot (2009) takes care to explain the ways in which small differences in early childhood appear to be accentuated by differential treatment of the sexes, until some significant some significant differences can be tracked by middle childhood and beyond.


Page 166 of the workbased EYE textbook details how recognising children's emerging view or their concept of gender is important in order to plan activities that are diverse.

Pages 330 - 331 explores development and how it's been observed that children 9-12 months can react differently to male and female faces, 18-24 months where toddlers are starting to become interested in gender-stereotyped toys. By 2 years it says children can recognise a photo of a same-sex child. 21/2 to 3 years children are identifying the differences by using clues such as hair length and style of dress. 3-4 year old children are beginning to link tasks and objects with gender of the person doing them. It states 'Many children still associate men with power tools'. At 5-6 Children have acquired the concept of gender stability. They know that gender is not dependent of type of clothes or haircut.

Page 136 explores how creating environments where children 'girls and boys' are respected and cared for equally in their early years is the first step towards breaking cycles of discrimination and disadvantage, promoting a child's sense of self-worth as it relates to their gender. The paragraph goes on to remind us how some children might of learnt narrow gender roles.

Links are to amazon.co.uk

Do you know what teaching you're expecting to receive for this?

Best wishes

Hi Ruthierhyme. Thanks for your quick respose. This is for an assignment we have been given to explore the concept of gender identity in young children. We are meant to justify why the development of gender identity is important in children and also look at ways through which it can also limit children's experiences in their daily lives. Any more help will be appreciated.

Hi, what sources of information does your tutor recommend you use?

We have been told to use the following sources:

1. Supporting identity, diversity and language in early years by Siraj Blatchford.

2. Rethinking gender in early childhood education by Glenda MacNaughton.

3. Respectful Educators – Capable Learners: Children's Rights and Early Education by Cathy Nutbrown.

4. Diversity and Difference in Early Childhood Education : Issues for Theory and Practice by Kerry H. Robinson, Criss Jones Díaz.

5. Children, young people and social inclusion: Participation for what? by Kay Tisdall, John Davis, and Malcolm Hill.

But, we are also allowed to use other sources for information as long as we back up our sources.