DVP - Gender and Sexual Orientation Lesson

Learning Target:

Describe how sex and gender influence socialization and other aspects of development.

Gender and Sexual Orientation                                  

Sex and gender play a significant role in shaping socialization and other aspects of development. Sex refers to an individual's biological characteristics, such as their reproductive organs and hormones, while gender refers to the social and cultural expectations and norms associated with being male or female.

From a young age, children are socialized into specific gender roles through a process known as gender socialization. This process involves teaching children the norms, values, and behaviors that are associated with their gender. For example, boys may be taught to be assertive and competitive, while girls may be taught to be nurturing and empathetic. These gender roles can influence a wide range of developmental outcomes, including academic achievement, social relationships, and career choices.

Sex and gender can also influence the development of personality traits and cognitive abilities. For example, research has shown that males tend to perform better on spatial tasks, while females tend to perform better on verbal tasks. Similarly, males are more likely to exhibit traits associated with aggressiveness and risk-taking, while females are more likely to exhibit traits associated with empathy and nurturing.

Furthermore, sex and gender can also influence the development of mental health issues. For example, males are more likely to develop substance use disorders and conduct disorders, while females are more likely to develop anxiety and mood disorders.

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