Life Span Development II School Age and Adolescence

Life Span Development II: School age and Adolescence 3 (2+1)

Lesson 24 : Gender Identity and Sex Role Stereotypes

Development of sex role behavior

According to social learning theorist child learns sex – typed behavior the same way he or she learns any other type of behavior through reward and punishment. From beginning boys and girls are socialized differently. Boys are expected to be more active, hostile and aggressive, girls are punished for being too aggressive and are rewarded when they are polite and submissive. As a result,boys and girls grow up manifesting different behaviors.

Traditional sex roles and concepts are extended to the child as he grows up. Giving children gender specific toys may have considerable influence on vocational choices and hence may result in stereotypic behavior.

Children also adopt and internalize parental values, attitudes, behavior traits and personality characteristics and sex role concepts through the process of identification.