Early Childhood Gender Identity and Sexuality Continued
Angela Oswalt, MSWGender-based beliefs, attitudes and behaviors come from a combination of biological/ internal reasons and external/environmental reasons. For example, research suggests that sex hormones influence children's play styles. Androgens (male sex hormones) promote more rough, noisy play among boys. Girls, in contrast, tend to adopt more calm gentle play styles. As a result, as mentioned above, children across the world prefer to (and seek out) playmates of the same gender.
Multiple environmental factors, such as a child's family, teachers, peers, and the media, also influence gender-based beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. Parents and family members are typically the source of "gender-appropriate" toys. Girls are given pastel colors, princesses, stuffed animals, dolls, and so on. In contrast, boys are given trucks, tractors, etc. Caregivers, family members, and teachers also tend to consciously or unconsciously reinforce gender-stereotyped behaviors. So, a caregiver might react more positively when a young boy plays with cars or trucks, or "roughhouses" with other children. Similarly, caregivers are more likely to talk to young girls about their emotions, and offer them help or direction during daily activities.
The media is filled with gender stereotypes depictions of males and females. Even though children's television shows, movies and book are less gender-stereotyped than previous eras, frequently, males are shown as strong and brave, powerful and dominant. Female characters typically appear submissive, emotional, and primarily focused on romantic relationships. Female characters are also much more likely to wear revealing clothing.
Beyond just exploring their gender and what it means to be a boy or a girl, young children also begin exploring their sexuality. Once upon a time, people believed that children did not begin to develop sexually until puberty. Even though it may seem uncomfortable or embarrassing to think about, some sexual exploration is normal and perfectly healthy for young children in the Preoperational stage of development.
Young children often ask lots of questions about their bodies. Many questions focus on reproductive and elimination organs, as well as how babies are made. Children of this age are also interested in examining their own genitals; it is common for them to masturbate periodically as they learn how their bodies react to stimulation. In addition, young children may also become interested in their caregivers' bathroom and bedroom behavior. Many children also engage in sexual touching behavior with children their own age, as they start to explore how they are alike or different from their friends.
Caregivers should try to react calmly to children's sexual exploration behavior. Each family will need to decide how best to handle these situations. However, generally speaking, it's best if caregivers can avoid reacting in a highly emotional manner, so that children can learn that sexuality is normal behavior rather than something that's "dirty" or shameful.
One strategy involves teaching young children about "private" versus "public" activities. Caregivers can redirect children to other activities and simply and calmly explain that sexual exploration (or whatever term is most comfortable) is a private activity that should be saved for home rather than public places like school, the playground, or the family dinner table. Likewise, if children interrupt their parents' bedroom activities, calmly redirect them back to bed without making a huge fuss. If caregivers interrupt children's games of "body show and tell", redirect attention by suggesting a new game.
As mentioned previously, some level of sexual exploration and play is normal and perfectly healthy for children of this age. However, extreme sexual acting out or behaviors coupled with other abnormal or fearful symptoms are unusual, and can be signs that a child has been sexually abused.
Resources
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Articles
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Development During Early Childhood, Toddler, and Preschool Stages
- Introduction- Development During Early Childhood
- Early Childhood Physical Development: Average Growth
- Early Childhood Physical Development: Gross and Fine Motor Development
- Early Childhood Physical Development: Toilet Training
- Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Introduction
- Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Symbolic Function
- Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Intuitive Thought
- Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Information Processing
- Early Childhood Cognitive Development: Language Development
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Emotional Expressiveness and Understanding
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Reflective Empathy
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Aggression
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Identity and Self-Esteem
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Social Connections
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Social Connections Continued
- Early Childhood Emotional and Social Development: Conclusion
- Early Childhood Moral Development
- Early Childhood Moral Development Continued
- Early Childhood Gender Identity and Sexuality
- Early Childhood Gender Identity and Sexuality Continued
- Early Childhood Conclusion
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Parenting Your Todder, Preschooler, and Young Child
- Introduction to Parenting Your Toddler, Preschooler, and Young Child
- Early Childhood Feeding and Nutrition
- Early Childhood Food and Nutrition Continued
- Early Childhood Food and Nutrition Conclusion
- Early Childhood Sleep
- Early Childhood Toilet Training
- Early Childhood Hygiene
- Early Childhood Hygiene Continued
- Early Childhood Exercise
- Early Childhood Love and Nurturing
- Early Childhood: It's Important to Encourage Reading
- Early Childhood Medical Care
- Early Childhood Mental Health Care
- Early Childhood Safety
- Coping with Transitions in Early Childhood: Getting a New Sibling or Remaining an Only Child
- Coping with Transition: in Early Childhood: Going to Daycare
- Coping with Transition: Starting Preschool or Kindergarten and Final Conclusions
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Toilet Training
- Early Childhood Toilet Training Introduction
- The Right Time to Start Toilet Training: Children's Readiness
- The Right Time to Start Toilet Training: Family Readiness and Red Flags
- Pre-Toilet Training in Early Childhood
- Preparing the Space for Toilet Training in Early Childhood
- Toilet Training-Friendly Clothing
- Early Childhood Toilet Training Methods
- Early Childhood Toilet Training Methods Continued
- Early Childhood Toilet Training Methods Conclusion
- How to Deal with Toilet Training Challenges: Travel
- How to Deal with Toilet Training Challenges: Constipation and Fear of Flushing
- Bedwetting, Encopresis and Enuresis, and Conclusions
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Disciplining Your Toddler, Preschooler, and Young Child
- Disciplining Your Toddler, Preschooler, and Young Child Introduction
- Parents as Disciplinarians in Early Childhood
- Preventing Early Childhood Misbehavior Before it Happens
- The Use of Choice in Early Childhood
- A Step-by-Step Guide for How to Discipline Children in Early Childhood
- Natural and Logical Consequences in Early Childhood
- Combining Choice and Consequences in Early Childhood
- Early Childhood Time Outs
- Spanking in Early Childhood
- Coordinating to Provide Continuity of Early Childhood Discipline Across Caregivers
- Lying in Early Childhood
- Supportive Communication in Early Childhood and Discipline Conclusion
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Nurturing Your Toddler, Preschooler, and Young Child
- Nurturing Your Toddler, Preschooler, and Young Child Introduction
- Creating Nurturing Space in Early Childhood
- Physical Nurturing: Gross Motor Activities in Early Childhood
- Physical Nurturing: Fine Motor Activities in Early Childhood
- Cognitive Nurturing in Early Childhood
- Cognitive Nurturing in Early Childhood Continued
- Cognitive Nurturing in Early Childhood Conclusion
- Social Nurturing in Early Childhood
- Emotional Nurturing in Early Childhood
- Cultural and Spiritual Nurturing in Early Childhood
- Nurturing at Home and Outside the Home and Nurturing Conclusions
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Child and Adolescent Development Theories
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Infants: Parenting and Child Development
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Development During Early Childhood, Toddler, and Preschool Stages
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Questions and Answers
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Book & Media Reviews
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Links
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Videos
- ADHD in Preschoolers: What to Look For and How to Help
- Button Batteries Sending Kids to the ER
- The Breakdown on Bedwetting
- Holiday Travel - Child Safety Away from Home
- Stuttering- A Window of Opportunity
- Child Development: Stepping Stones - Lesson 18: The School Years: Psychosocial Development
- Nightmare vs. Night Terror
- Safe Seats for Baby
- 3 Tips on Swim Safety
- Big Kids Need a Boost
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- All in On Water Safety
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- Your Active Preschooler: Could it be ADHD?
- Sunscreen Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers
- Pack Car Seat for Summer Travel
- How do I get my child to eat new foods?
- Addressing Health Disparities in Early Childhood
- 6 tips to help your children control their emotions
- Recognizing challenging behaviors in young children: Could it be ADHD?
- Classroom Managment Supports for ADHD Behaviors in Preschool Settings
- Household Poisonings and Childhood Dangers
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