11.2: Sexual Development and Gender Identity

sex

a way to describe males or females that is based on genetics, sex chromosome configuration, or anatomy and physiology

gender

the way an individual views their sexual identity. A person’s gender may or may not fit their biological sex. Genders can be male or female or not well-defined by either 

transgender 

a person whose gender is different than their assigned sex at birth 

testosterone 

type of androgen hormone found in greater amounts in males

plays many roles, including the masculinization of reproductive tissue and the brain during sexual development and promoting sexual desire and motivation 

primary sex characteristics 

anatomical, physiological, and behavioral features that differentiate males and females early in development 

secondary sex characteristics

anatomical, physiological, and behavioral features that differentiate the sexes and begin to appear during adolescence

aneuploidy

more or fewer than 2 sex chromosomes

Turner syndrome 

genetic disorder where an individual has only one x sex chromosome and develops as female 

XYY syndrome/Jacob’s syndrome

genetic disorder where a male individual has an extra y sex chromosome

Klinefelter syndrome

genetic disorder where a person has more than one x chromosome and a y chromosome

intersex conditions 

preferred terminology for someone with disorders of sex development DSD

congenital adrenal hyperplasia CAH

type of intersex congenital condition that results in an XX individual developing with some male characteristics due to overactivity of androgen

androgen insensitivity syndrome AIS

an xy individual whose cells do not respond to androgen, so they develop as a female

gender stratification 

inequality in distribution of wealth, power, job opportunities, and status between genders 

gender identity

how someone views their gender, which includes aspects of their personality, behaviors, emotions, and perceptions

shows stability between ages 4 and 6

gender-diverse identity

overarching term to describe when a person’s gender identity does not conform to cultural or societal norms associated with the biological sex

self-socialization theory 

idea that before age six, children become aware of gender categories and become motivated to fit gender stereotypes 

Bem Sex-Role Inventory

survey that measures stereotypes of masculine, feminine, or androgynous characteristics of individuals

gender non-conforming 

individual whose gender expression does not fall neatly into either masculine or feminine 

non-binary/genderqueer

gender identity where someone sees themselves as somewhere between male and female or falls outside category of male or female

queer

word that has been reappropriated and used by some in the LGBTQUIA+ community to describe themselves

can be used as a derogatory slur in wrong context

cisgender/non-transgender

term to describe someone whose gender aligns with biological sex at birth 

gender-fluid

used to describe someone whose gender identity or expression changes or is not fixed on either male or female

crossdresser

person who wears clothing most associated with opposite sex

gender dysphoria GD

disorder described in DSM to describe anxiety and stress that accompany someone who is transgender