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Jurate Faddoul TMA 01 Question part (a) Describe some of the ways in which gender categories can be used to explain the formation of gender identities in young children? Identity is not a personality. Identity needs some choice from our part. We choose to identify with some people and refuse to with others. Identity can be defined by similarity (us) and difference (them). Identities can also be represented by symbols (words, certain groups etc) that are important in defining the ways in which we share identities with others. Identities are formed by choice and social influences. They can change with age, experience or culture. There are several theories on how identities are formed. According to G.H. Mead, by constructing identities we imagine ourselves and how others see us. We perceive that through symbols. They are used to signal other people that we identify or not, with them. E. Goffman focused on everyday interaction. He says that we present ourselves to the world by undertaking certain roles that are already written. It is as if we are in a play, acting out the imagination of a secret director. Our actions are important in how we present ourselves, what kind of identities we create. We, like actors, are performing for the audience- surrounding people, colleagues or friends. Most of activities in our everyday life such as speaking require someone listening. But, even if the parts are written for us (student, secretary etc) we can put our own imprint onto them by interpreting what is expected from us. Turner developed a self-categorisation theory. It states that identities are shaped by people looking at social categories and deciding whether or not they are in that category (Kath Woodward, 2000, p.47). If they consider themselves to be part of the category, that category becomes part of their identity. Turner claims that similarity and difference influence self-categorisation and identity. Another theory, by S. Freud, claims that our unconscious influence choices we make later in life. Unconscious mind is the repository of repressed feelings and desires- often from childhood. (Kath Woodward, 2000, p. 15). Freud says that as children we repress our needs because we are not allowed to do or have many things. This hides in our unconscious and emerges later, thus forming our identity. Freud argues that we have not one identity, but infinite number of forms. Psychoanalysis enters us into concept of gender. Gender describes the systematic structuring of certain behaviour and practices which are associated with women or with men in particular societies (Kath Woodward, 2000, p.21) It was crucial to Freud’s theory. Children were seen as having sexual desires that obviously were not fulfilled and merged into unconscious. Freud thought that identification with parent of the same sex was vital for positive psycho-sexual development of the child. Freud’s theory suggests that we have little influence in forming our own identities as our childhood experiences will define it for us. We could bring more agency into our identities through therapy. Gender is the foundation of the identity. First of all, we need to differentiate between sex and gender.
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