This side of the argument states that essentially gender is a product of socialisation. It is dependant on environmental experiences. Family upbringing and society’s expectations would therefore play a key role in a person’s gender. This would mean, of course, that most boys learn to behave in masculine ways and most girls learn to behave in feminine ways.
The nurture argument can explain why some people adopt the gender role not expected of their sex. In theory, a feminine boy would have had a set of experiences which have led him to acquire a different set of gender roles from most boys. If gender roles are nurtured, it also explains why an individual’s gender may change over time as anything that is learnt can be unlearnt and replaced with new behaviours.
It can also explain cultural variations in gender-related behaviour. What distinguishes one culture from another is the fact that they have their own set of beliefs, values and norms (appropriate ways of behaving). There is evidence that people’s behaviour is influenced by the standards and expectations of their society. Gender is behaviour and so is also open to this kind of influence.
Sex-role stereotyping.
There is a theory that beliefs, values and norms are transmitted by agents of socialisation, this includes parents, peers, the education system and the media. These influential groups work collectively to reinforce certain behaviour and discourage others, depending on society’s expectations.
Males and Females are treated differently and this is the root of ‘sex-role stereotyping’. This leads to a situation where individuals are expected to behave in different ways to what females should.
The basic assumption of the nurture argument is that babies are born without a gender identity. In theory, a baby boy could be raised as a girl and vice versa (Moneys Study of David Rhimer).
There are also other theories which have been put forward to give support to either the nature or nurture argument.
- The biological explanations, which emphasise the role of chromosomes and hormones in gender development. These explanations strongly support the role of nature in development.
- The social learning theory, which essentially sees’s gender roles as being learnt from others. This theory strongly supports the role of nurture in the debate.
- The cognitive approach, which focuses more on the mind and how individuals think about their gender. The approach holds that gender identity develops as part of an innate process (nature) but that concepts of gender depend on familial and cultural experiences (nurture)
- The Psychodynamic approach, which focuses more on the unconscious elements of gender development. This approach maintains that gender develops instinctively (nature) but that childhood experiences (nurture) moderate this.
Biological Explanations of gender development
Human beings have evolved that males and females possess different chromosomes that trigger the production of different levels of certain hormones (chemical substances produced by the body that control and regulate the activity of certain cells and organs). Hormonal differences lead to differences in behaviour.
Each cell in the human body contains a total of 46 chromosomes (23 pairs). 22 of these are matched, and are the same in males and females. However the 23rd chromosome determines whether you are male or female.
An individual’s sex is determined by the chromosomal make-up of the sperm that fertilises the egg. If the sperm carries an X chromosome, the embryo will be female. If it carries a Y chromosome then it will be male.
1st few weeks of conception- the gonads (sex organs) look exactly the same.
6th week after conception- gonads begin to develop differently. A gene on the Y chromosome is responsible for triggering the events that transform the male embryo gonads into testes. In the absence of this gene, the gonads will automatically turn into ovaries.
Once these develop they start to release their own hormones. Male hormones are known as androgens. Female hormones are mainly oestrogen.
Androgens- A steroid hormone, such as testosterone or androsterone that controls the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics.
Oestrogen- Controls menstruation and foetal development whilst pregnant. Also can stimulate behavioural and mood affects which are experienced as PMT. Lack of this hormone may result in a termination or abnormalities in pregnancy.
Atypical chromosome patterns
Evaluation of Biological Explanations.
- Social Learning Theory would dispute the fact that gender is a product of nature. E.g., if men are biologically similar and women are biologically similar, then why do the two sexes no behave in more consistent ways? They would argue that men and women display a range of gender-related behaviours depending on their unique learning experiences.
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The Cognitive Approach would argue that the biological explanations are too reductionist (belief that complex systems can be explained in terms of their components) because they attempt to explain complex behaviours simply in terms of chromosomes and hormones. The cognitive approach would argue that we have to understand the thought processes behind gender development. They accuse the biological approach of being too deterministic (belief that events are controlled by actions that came before them, therefore everything is predictable).
- The psychodynamic approach would agree that there are innate elements to gender development and that they are related to the sexual differences between males and females. However, it could also emphasise the importance of childhood experiences and familial relationships in gender development. The psychodynamic approach would object to the biological idea that gender develops in isolation from society.
