For this task, write an essay analyzing the following: • How does our gender and

Question

For this task, write an essay analyzing the following:

• How does our gender and sexual identity evolve throughout the lifespan? For example, are there different pressures to conform in childhood, adolescence and adulthood?
• What influences (religious, peers, media, ethnicity, culture, etc.) contribute to our gender and sexual identities’ development?
• How does gender identity contributes to sexual expression?
• List gender-role stereotypes. What evidence is there to support or refute these stereotypes? What are the functions of these stereotypes? How do they affect relationships and sexual interactions?
• Conclude your analysis with a list of gender-role attitudes and behaviors of the other sex you would like to see become more like your own sex’s.

Explanation / Answer

The first thing that needs to be established is that gender is a social construct assigned to the sex that one is born with. If you take the approach that sexuality is a fluid concept, then it makes it easier to study its evolution. Sexual identity and the pressure to conform is mostly determined by societal norms. The pressures of conformity with regard to sexual identity might not be as strong during childhood in most cultures. Studies have shown that the pressure to conform to gender stereotypes that determine sexual identity is perhaps the strongest at adolescence. Adolescence is when most individuals explore their sexuality and sort of figure out their sexual preference. In 2018, the pressure to conform is lower than it was maybe 10 years ago.

Religion tends to play a role in the pressure to conform, but that entirely depends on the individual's upbringing. Therefore the pressure to conform depends on the fear of "eternal damnation" and disappointing family members.

During adolescence, being accepted by your peers is what most individuals seek. The pressure to conform in this situation has a lot to do with being accepted with what is the norm and the fear of being rejected for the manner in which one expresses their sexuality.

Stereotypes form through cultural norms. Ethnicity and culture and sexual identity tend to be stereotyped in most forms of the mainstream media.

Women are expected to be feminine and maternal while men are expected to be providers and be macho and be personifications of strength and protection. Even as children, simple things like girls being expected to play with dolls and boys being expected to play with trucks are forms of gender stereotypes.

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