5 Kohlberg's theory of gender development

Summary

The video discusses Kohlberg's cognitive theory of gender development, emphasizing children's active role in shaping their gender identity through three stages. First, in the gender labeling stage (ages 2-3), children can label themselves and others based on external features, but do not grasp that gender is fixed. Second, in the gender stability stage (ages 3-5), they understand that gender remains stable over time but may think it changes based on activities or appearances. Finally, in the gender consistency stage (ages 6-7), children realize gender is constant across time and situations, influencing their behavior accordingly.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Cognitive explanations focus on how children actively structure their understanding of gender.
• 👦 Kohlberg’s theory suggests that gender development occurs in three stages over time.
• 👶 Stage 1: Gender Labeling (ages 2-3) - Children can label their own gender and others based on external features but do not understand that gender is fixed.
• 👗 Children in the Gender Labeling stage may change their gender label based on superficial features like hair length or clothing.
• 🧒 Stage 2: Gender Stability (ages 3-5) - Children understand that gender is stable over time (e.g., boys become men, girls become women), but they may still think gender can change in certain situations.
• 👧 At the Gender Stability stage, children might believe that engaging in activities of the opposite gender can change their gender.
• 👨 Stage 3: Gender Consistency/Constancy (ages 6-7) - Children realize that gender is constant across both time and situations.
• 🔄 Gender Constancy involves understanding that gender remains the same even if external appearances or behaviors change.
• 🎯 Once children achieve gender constancy, they begin to adopt gender-appropriate behaviors more strongly.
• 📚 Cognitive theories emphasize that children actively engage in exploring and understanding gender, not just passively observing behaviors.

Q & A

What is the focus of cognitive explanations of gender development?

Cognitive explanations focus on how children actively structure their own experiences and understanding of gender, rather than passively observing behaviors.

What is Kohlberg's theory of gender development?

Kohlberg's theory suggests that children's understanding of gender develops over time through exploration of the world and occurs in three stages: gender labeling, gender stability, and gender consistency.

At what age does the gender labeling stage occur and what happens during this stage?

The gender labeling stage occurs between 2 to 3 years old. During this stage, children are able to label their own sex and the opposite sex based on external features like clothing and hair length. However, they don't yet understand that gender is fixed.

What characterizes the gender stability stage and at what age does it happen?

The gender stability stage occurs between 3 to 5 years old. Children in this stage understand that gender is stable over time, meaning boys grow into men and girls into women. However, they might still think gender could change if external features or activities change.

How does a child’s understanding of gender change during the gender consistency stage?

In the gender consistency stage, which occurs around 6 to 7 years old, children understand that gender remains the same across time and situations. They realize that external changes (like clothing or activities) do not change a person's gender.

What is the difference between the gender stability and gender consistency stages?

In the gender stability stage, children understand that gender is stable over time but may think it can change based on situations or behaviors. In the gender consistency stage, they realize that gender is constant across both time and situations.

Why do children in the gender labeling stage sometimes change their gender labels based on external features?

Children in the gender labeling stage (2 to 3 years old) base their understanding of gender on external features like clothing or hair length. Since they don’t yet grasp that gender is fixed, they may change their gender labels if those external features change.

What example was given to explain a child's understanding in the gender stability stage?

An example is a 4-year-old girl who says, 'When I grow up, I'll be like my mummy.' She realizes that her gender will remain stable over time but might not yet understand that it is constant across different situations.

What does it mean when children achieve gender constancy?

Achieving gender constancy means that children understand that their gender will not change across time and situations. They also start learning and valuing gender-appropriate behaviors because they know their gender is constant.

How does Kohlberg's theory suggest children develop gender-appropriate behavior?

According to Kohlberg's theory, children start learning gender-appropriate behavior after reaching the gender consistency stage (6 to 7 years old), when they understand that their gender will not change, leading them to adopt behaviors they associate with their gender.