Topic > The concept of gender identity from the sociological and physiological perspective

A person's understanding of their gender is identified by the sex assigned at birth or is influenced by their beliefs. In most society, gender is divided into two main categories, male and female, being masculine or feminine. There are people around the world who do not consider themselves part of these categories, such as transgender, gender queer, or non-binary. Some countries even have a third gender category. Both sociological and physiological theories play an important role in the concept of gender identity. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay There has not been a complete understanding of the formation of a person's gender identity, but there is always the suggestion of nature versus nurture. Biological elements such as genes, pre- and postnatal hormone levels play a role in gender identification. Sex-linked hormones are produced early in a mother's pregnancy. If prenatal hormonal changes occur, the physical composition may change and the natural arrangement of the brain may not match the genetic composition of the child. Testosterone is a sex hormone, is more present in males than females, and influences development and behavior both before and after birth. Testosterone, when released in the uterus, causes the development of the male sexual organs, in 7 weeks, and acts on the hypothalamus causing the masculinization of the brain. In the case of an intersex person, there were more and hundreds of people who were not part of any male or female type. Surgical and hormonal changes occur at birth; then, make a decision regarding the gender of their offspring. While education, has more control than nature. According to John Money, psychologist, from 18 months to two years children are aware of and attached to their gender. On the other hand, Lawrence Kohlberg argues that by the age of three, a child can identify their gender and choose activities and toys that relate to their gender. With both theories we can conclude that children can identify their gender at a young age. In a child's life there are many social influences, such as family, authority figure, mass media. When a child learns a language, he learns the different attributes of masculine and feminine and, unconsciously, adapts his behavior to these gender roles. Furthermore, according to social learning theory, a child is very attentive to his surroundings and will imitate his gender. In many cases, it depends on how the child was raised. For example, John Money's theory that having an abusive father, a mother wanting a daughter, a child raised as a girl even though she was a boy at birth; this would happen in the context of parietal psychopathology for gender identity, causing a person to question their gender. As part of establishing one's gender, parents play a key role in helping an individual identify their gender. In many cases, if a parent does not support gender opposition, they are likely to have children with firmer and more rigid views on gender roles. Studies have shown that parents did not teach their children toys as masculine or feminine, but as neutral. On the other hand, there are still parents who show negative reactions towards rumors to define their children's gender, thus distancing them from feminine roles. When parents follow the traditional gender role of a male who goes to work and a female who spends more time at home,the child's gender is shaped. A study by Hillary Halpern states that parents' behavior regarding their gender determines a child's gender role, but not parents' beliefs. For example, a mother who displays a traditional view of her children causes the son to behave less masculine and the daughter to behave more feminine. In addition to gender identity, the psychological aspect of the mind plays a huge role in one's life.gender. Gender dysphoria, also known as gender identity disorder, is a person experiencing strong and ongoing feelings of connection with the opposite gender assigned at birth. For this diagnosis, this sensation would cause distress or impairment in a person. People with GID often need to look like the gender they associate with. They would dress differently and have character assisted in their gender identity to give them satisfaction of their gender role. But in many this is not the case. For example, those who identify as men but have female sex chromosomes will present themselves to the public as men thanks to hormone treatments or surgery. Furthermore, with the feeling of distress that comes with this disorder, many individuals isolate themselves socially. This could be caused by personal choice or rejection, leading to low self-esteem. This could lead a person with GID to have suicidal ideation, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and substance-related disorders. Among children, the main mental health problems are separation anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, or symptoms of depression. Gender minority, transgender, genderqueer, or nonbinary individuals exhibited symptoms of anxiety and depression as heterosexual and cisgender. In fact, rates of anxiety and depression among sexual minority individuals are double that of heterosexual individuals. The cause of the increased rate of mental health is due to the stress of minorities. On the other hand, research conducted by Dr. Kristin Olson, Ph.D., on the mental health of transgender children showed that their children did not show an increase in depression or anxiety compared to the average population. He concluded the research by stating that with the support of society through acceptance of their gender, they feel more comfortable and open towards many reducing their mental health problems. Changing one's gender with the use of hormone treatment to create the characteristics of the gender they wish to become has an effect on the brain. Research has shown that there is an increase with gonadal steroids and the change in the timing of puberty affects the structure and function of the brain programmed by testosterone and estradiol in the womb. Hormone treatment blocks the ability of transgender people to obtain their gender figure during puberty. Manipulates response to gonadal steroid. On the other hand, the brain's blood flow creates a response to a certain stimulus. For example, in brain scans, connections within the brain can be different for different genders. With experimental evidence, it helps us understand sexual behavior and how it is regulated, revealing some of the factors that influence sexual preferences. Each individual has their own concepts or beliefs about gender. Many identify as male or female, but some may identify as cisgender, transgender male or female, genderqueer, or bigender. However, some societies consider accepting an individual's gender that they identify as different across communities. There have been many cases of transgender individuals being treated unequally in their workplace. Instead, the report on transgender people states: “I have difficultyfind paid work because of my 'trans status'. While I can't prove it, as soon as a potential employer finds out I'm trans the interview suddenly ends. They find out because they ask for proof of my right to work and see the word feminine on my birth certificate,” causing this person to state, “[I was] forced to resign from my job, verbally abused, and belittled in front of colleagues . workers, persecuted, threatened, hate mail”. Furthermore, an example of a teenager who suffers discrimination because of her gender concerns a high school student, who is not trans, but wears short hair with masculine clothes and is very athletic. Children at her school and players on other schools' teams repeatedly harass her and call her names because of her gender expression. The sociology of gender studies society, shapes our understanding and perception of the differences between masculinity and femininity. The study investigates the influences of identity and social practices. Sex roles describe tasks and functions perceived as ideal for masculinity versus femininity. Sex roles have converged in many cultures regarding their positions. But gender is socially constructed. It is a key theory used by sociologists to put gender at the center of historical and cultural attention. Theorizes how meaning is created through social communication and the things we do and say with other people. This theory states that gender is not a fixed fact, but varies over time and place. Gender norms are socially acceptable ways of representing gender. We learn from birth through childhood socialization. We learn what we expect from our gender from what our parents teach us, in school, through religious or cultural teachings, in the media, and in various other social institutions. As part of the religious point of society, the Presbyterian Church, in the United States, had no place for transgender people, but during 2010 the church eliminated specific barriers to the inclusion of transgender people. Additionally, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has no specific policy on ordaining transgender people, so much so that the organization invited a transgender minister in July. On the other hand, some Orthodox churches do not accept those who change sex, but preferably provide special pastoral care to transgender people. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod provides advice to ministers on how to counsel transgender people and encourage them to seek help for dysphoria. The Pentecostal denomination of the Assemblies of God “upholds the dignity of individual persons by affirming their biological sex and discouraging any attempt to physically change, alter, or be at odds with their predominant biological sex.” And the Southern Baptist Convention's solution method was that transgender people can only become members if they repent. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Ultimately, as seen by In the Essay, gender is a concept viewed under the psychological and sociological microscope. In general, gender is the character of a person, who is labeled as biological sex, intersex, cisgender, transgender male or female, genderqueer or bigender. Gender is constructed by the sex assigned to them at birth or by the way they were raised, learning from their surroundings. But society has its own opinions about different genders, how they should act or represent themselves. References “Anxiety and depression in sexual and gender minority individuals.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA,. 2017,/.