Another way of identifying a male from a female is by the use of Anatomical evidence. This is used by doctors and midwives at birth. They make a visual analysis of the Childs gender and from this they categorize them as either being a male or a female.
This explanation of gender categorisation was used by Freud and Sir Thomas More who explained that gender categorization was formed by the absence of a penis (Woodward, p. 49). However it may be suggested that this forms a weak analysis when infants are born Androgynous, which is a mixing of gender modes in a single presentation. Although this is very rare at birth, being born dual-gendered would make it impossible to identify the correct gender of a child using this explanation.
Even though there is an argument against using Anatomical evidence as a method in which to define a child as either a male or a female it is the method used in the UK. But is this what gives us our identity and how are they formed? It could be argued that our identity starts the minute our gender category is known. This is the basis of our social structure. We are identified by a title of either being masculine or feminine. We are then registered on a Birth Certificate which takes on an identity in itself, it tells people who we are and what we are, the day we where born, where we were born and the time we were born.
The birth certificate and anatomical evidence are ways of identifying, who and what we are. However, it can be argued that the gender category we have been assigned at birth and the identity we have been given in the way of legal documents may not be the gender category or identity a child wishes to have. This is evident for example in a male who wish to change his genetic appearance through gender reassignment because he feels he is a female and wants the identity of a female. Further are these the only factors at work in the formation of a child’s gender identity?
Turner (1987) argues that identity is shaped by an individual’s perception of what social category they see themselves belonging to. He uses the term self categorisation. Do they see themselves as male or female? In effect a Boy or a Girl. However when is this identity formed?
A child at about the age of two or three, are able to categorize themselves as being a boy or a girl. Our parents will still continue to construct our identities with the use of masculine and feminine toys, for example guns and cars for a boy and dolls and tea sets for a girl. Durkin (1955) explains that at a very young age we are able to identify the gender category we fall into, but there is still uncertainty. The process is slow but once the child has discovered his true gender he/she will build an identity which will reflect who and what they are (Woodward, K p.180).
At this young age children are uncertain about their identity as their understanding of masculinity and femininity is simple and inflexible (Kohlberg, 1966, p95). This leads them to make mistakes about their identity. Gradually, children’s culturally defined gender categories are supplemented with biological knowledge. They learn that their own identity remains the same across time. This knowledge is added to their social and cultural experiences (Woodward, K p.95).
By the age of 11 years a child adopts a typical gender identity and takes on a gender role which is said to be either typically masculine or typically feminine (Francis1997-1998). His work also highlighted that the stereotypical gender identities were not taken up by all children. This suggests that gender categories and identities are not fixed. This he believes is because gender construction plays only one part in the formation of gender identity. He believes many other factors such as social class and ethnicity are at play reinforcing gender identity.
In conclusion, it can be said that gender categories are defined at birth. This is based on Anatomical evidence and legal documentation at birth. This in most cases forms our gender identity. Children it would seem discover their gender identity from their parents. Our parents construct our identity by ensuring we pursue interests and adopt mannerisms that are stereotypically male or female. This means that a child at a very early age identifies the gender category they fall into. This process is slow but as the child develops so does the child’s knowledge of its gender and its gender identity. It would seem that many factors interact in the construction of a child’s identity and as a result we must remember that gender categories and the way it relates to the formation of general identities in small children is not as clear cut as explained. Gender construction is only one part of identity formation it is also developed by such factors as ethnicity and social class. It may be suggested that these factors may reinforce a gender and sometimes outweigh them.
References
Woodward, k. (2000) Questioning Identity: Gender, Class, nation. In Woodward, K. (ed.) DD100, Milton Keynes. The Open University.
Sherratt, N. Goldblatt, D Mackintosh, M. Woodward, k. (2000) Workbook 1. DD100 Milton Keynes. The Open University.
