PSYC 300 1st Edition Lecture 9Outline of Last Lecture I. Gender AwarenessII. Boys and Girls Seem DifferentIII. Documented DifferencesIV. Biological DifferencesV. The History of PinkVI. Children’s Knowledge and Beliefs about GenderVII. Gender-Related Activities and InterestsOutline of Current LectureI. Gender-Related Activities and InterestsII. Toys: What do they TeachIII. Influences on Gender DevelopmentIV. What messages were you sent about what…?V. Influences on Gender DevelopmentVI. Gender: Nature or NurtureVII. Influences on Gender DevelopmentVIII. SummaryCurrent Lecture- Gender-Related Activities and Interestso Toys and playo Generally differentiated by gender More obvious than gender differences in attitudes/personality o Girls more likely than boys to choose neutral or cross-gender toys and activitieso Different play environments Boys: more rough, competitive, active Girls: more pretend, sedentary, cooperative - Toys: What do they Teacho Girls: Disney Princess bedding with girls in princess gowns and having a tea party; Hello Kitty all pink stuff with girls dressed in pink, purses, sunglasses, dolls, Barbie, outfits, nurturing and care giving, jewelry and house play Nurturing and caregiving Appearance is importanto Boys: scooter, remote control cars, skateboards, matchbox  Its okay to be active, competitive, even aggressive Encourage more development of more physical and spiral abilities - Gender-Related Activities and Interestso Gender segregation Starts at age 3; particularly strong in elementary school Reasons - Girls tend to dislike rough, aggressive play- Boys unresponsive to girls’ polite suggestions- Toys preferences different - Influences on Gender Developmento Socialization: the process by which each generation passes along to children the knowledge, beliefs, and skills that constitute the culture of the social group Parents Peers School Media- What messages were you sent about what…?o Girls are supposed to be like/do… Wash dishes, clean the house, o Boys are supposed to be like/do…. Take the trash out, wash cars, change oil, change tire- Influences on Gender Developmento Parents: children’s views about gender are closely linked to those of their parents  Provide children with distinctive clothing, room furnishings, toys Foster gender stereotypes through conversation and rules and toys purchased- Allow aggression in boys more than girls  Assign chores based on gender Speak and act differently with girls than with boys Are role models for their children- Gender: Nature or Nurtureo The Story of David Reimer John Money: sexologist who felt “nurture” not nature determine gender identityo Swedish parents try to raise a gender neutral child  First country to make ACT of Accession - Influences on Gender Developmento Siblings Less studied than parents and peers Most frequent out-of-school companions for children and young adults Older siblings important source of gender socializationo School Biased social structure Differential treatment in the classroomo Peers Rejection of Nontraditional Behavior- Boys usually receive stronger rejection than girlso Gender Segregation Usually occurs by age 3 or 4 Reinforces gender stereotypeso Gender Prejudice Girls like girls; boys like boyso Differential Treatment Attractiveness- One study of preschoolerso “Cute” girls were helped, patted, and praised by boyso Less attractive girls were more often hit, pushed or kickedo Boys: boys not treated differently based on attractiveness o Media: most still support traditional gender stereotypes (girls/women have communal traits; men/boys have argentic traits) Books- Magazines: Teen Magazines Television: Dora the Explorer, an exception Video games- Many encourage aggression and sexism Movies – Disney examples – view documentary “Mickey Mouse Monopoly” Song lyrics- Summaryo Over last 30 years, much has not changed in social construction of gender Parents, media, school still support many gender stereotypes Emphasis on physical attractiveness still strong for girls Boys are still not allowed to be “feminine”o Some changes Female images have more physical and intellectual