Gender Behaviors
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Module 5 Assignment 1 Gender Appropriate and Inappropriate Behaviors
Recent headlines have sparked heated debate about whether boys should be allowed to dress as girls. For example, a 5-year-old boy in Seattle who enjoy things traditionally for girls, such as jewelry, the color pink, and dresses was supported and encouraged by his mother, who wrote a book about him called "My Princess Boy". A J. Crew ad featured a mother painting her young boy's toenails hot pink (CBS News, 2001 April 13). Reactions ranged from outrage and disbelief to support of the mothers.
On the flipside, girls who shun traditionally "girly things" such as dresses and flowers in favor of more traditional "boy things" such as watching or playing sports, rough-and-tumble play, and choosing boys as friends are often called tomboys.
For either sex, choosing to engage in activities traditionally reserved for a specific sex can result in teasing and accusations of homosexuality.
Using research gathered from textbook and research articles, analyze the above scenarios.
1) Are the behaviors discussed above (i.e., preferring things traditionally acceptable for a specific sex) indicative of homosexuality? Why or why not?
2) Describe the psychological consequences (positive and negative) that might result from engaging in behaviors reserved for a specific sex?
3) Develop an argument for or against concern that these children might be exhibiting a paraphilia.
4) Which paraphilia (s) might apply and what criteria you use based on the research.
5) What, if any, intervention would you recommend to a parent whose little girl or boy expresses the desire to engage in behaviors typical of the opposite sex? If you do not believe intervention is necessary, explain why.
Grading criteria
1) Are behaviors discussed such as preferring things traditionally acceptable for a specific sex indicative of homosexuality? Why or why not?
2) Describe the psychological consequences (positive and negative) that might result from engaging in behaviors reserved for a specific sex.
3) Develop an argument for or against the concern that these children might be exhibiting a paraphilia.
4) Which paraphilia (s) might apply and what criteria would you use on the research?
5) What intervention would you recommend to a parent whose little girl or boy expresses the desire to engage in behaviors typical of the opposite sex? If you do not believe intervention is necessary explain why.
These notes need a conclusion.
The response should be at least 3 pages long.
I need research from relevant Web sites such as .org, .net, or .edu. please avoid Wikipedia.
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Solution Summary
This solution discusses gender appropriate and inappropriate behaviors
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(1) Are the behaviors discussed above (i.e., preferring things traditionally acceptable for a specific sex) indicative of homosexuality? Why or why not?
One of the most successful theories related to sexuality is the biological hypothesis concerning the etiology of homosexuality" (Yarhouse, 2004). He asserts that biological theories on homosexuality emerged in opposition to the claim that environmental influences play a significant role in influencing these tendencies. Thus, the biological hypothesis developed to suggest that hormonal and genetic influences attribute to the cause of homosexuality through physiological mechanisms). Various perceptions of sexual orientation emerged that led to people being placed into rigid categories—heterosexual versus homosexual (Garnets, 2002). According to Garnett, recent research suggests that determinants of sexual orientation are due to many influences, and no single factor can be attributed to whether a person will have heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality tendencies. Thus, she adds, Girls who play masculine games and activities may or may not become lesbians. Similarly, some boys with feminine tendencies grow up to be bisexual or heterosexual; however, many of the gender non -conforming boys grow up to be heterosexual" (p. 117).
(2) Describe the psychological consequences (positive and negative) that might result from engaging in behaviors reserved for a specific sex?
Research indicates that the most pervasive research in the literature is the construct of gender role conflict, which refers to rigid restrictions as to what males and females should or should not do that based on its comparability with their gender. Panel (2006) asserts that in determining gender roles based on biological factors the fact that men and women are more similar than dissimilar is ignored. For example, according to Pinel, the" men -are-men-women-are-women assumption" (Mamawawa theory) focuses on maleness and femaleness as discrete, mutually, exclusive, complementary categories" (p. 318). He further explains that this theory is debunked based upon scientific evidence that all persons are genetically determined to develop female bodies.
Pinel (2006) adds that the reason males become males, their female bodies are overruled by reproductive hormones [e.g., antigens] (p.2). Despite the scientific evidence that de-emphasizes differences between men ...
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