Adolescent Development Week 9

What is the definition of gender?

refers to the sociocultural and psychological traits associated with being male, female, both, neither, or somewhere along a spectrum.

What is gender identity?

an individual's personal sense of their own gender, often becoming more consolidated during adolescence.

a core component of identity formation

Visibility of Gender Diversity

adolescents often navigate identity alongside:

• Societal expectations

• Peer dynamics

• Family beliefs

Affirmation of gender identity during adolescence is linked to:

• Higher self-esteem

• Better mental health

• Greater overall wellbeing

Traditional gender roles

• Masculinity with assertiveness, dominance, and independence

• Femininity with nurturing, sensitivity, and emotionality

Contemporary research challenges these stereotypes by emphasising individual variability across and within genders

androgyny

individuals expressing both masculine and feminine traits.

• often show greater psychological adjustment and social flexibility

• Encouraging diverse trait development, regardless of gender identity, supports resilience and wellbeing

What is the gender intensification hypothesis?

suggests that early adolescence is marked by increased pressure to conform to traditional gender roles.

Such pressures can lead to:

• Narrower behaviour norms

• Gender differences in emotional wellbeing and self-concept

many adolescents begin to question and challenge these norms in pursuit of authenticity, particularly when supported by inclusive environments.

Social Role Theory?

gender differences arise from the roles and expectations assigned within a society.

• Girls are often socialised to be obedient, emotionally attuned, and relational

• Boys are encouraged to be assertive, independent, and competitive

Socialisation Agents

• Parents: May grant more freedom to sons and closely monitor daughters, especially during puberty

• Peers: Reinforce gender norms through approval or ridicule—e.g., boys teased for showing emotion; girls criticised for being assertive

• Media: Reinforces cultural expectations and stereotypes

Cultural Diversity

In non-Western cultures, gender roles may be more traditional and regulated, with strict expectations around:

• Dress

• Responsibilities

• Behaviour

However, intra-cultural differences exist—urban, educated families may hold more egalitarian views than rural, traditional ones

Shifting Views on Gender and Identity

Societal changes include greater:

• Advocacy

• Legal recognition

• Media representation of gender-diverse individuals

Supportive environments

When adolescents feel supported—by families, peers, or schools—they report:

• Better psychological health

• Greater life satisfaction

need for inclusive, affirming environments across schools, families, and communities

What is Gender Schema Theory?

explains how cognitive frameworks guide processing of gendered information and influence behaviors consistent with societal norms.

• Men as rational and strong

• Women as emotional and weak

Self-awareness and social comparison intensify, adolescents face pressure to conform to gender norm

Social Role Theory and gender role persistence

Suggests gender roles are shaped by historically assigned social and economic roles:

• Women: communal roles (caregiving, domestic tasks)

• Men: agentic roles (leadership, physical labour)

Over time, these roles reinforce beliefs that:

• Warmth and empathy are feminine

• Assertiveness and competitiveness are masculine

Even when adolescents pursue counter-stereotypical interests, they may encounter doubt or discouragement, reflecting the strength of socially constructed roles.

Social Cognitive Theory of Gender

explains how gender roles are learned through observation, reinforcement, and modelling by influential figures such as parents, peers, and media.

Behaviours are shaped by:

• Rewards for gender-conforming behaviour

• Punishment or ridicule for gender-nonconforming behaviour

System Justification Theory

proposes that people are motivated to defend existing social systems, including gender hierarchies, even when these systems disadvantage them.

These beliefs maintain the status quo and reduce cognitive dissonance—but may limit freedom and opportunity.

System justification is often unconscious, making it resistant to change without deliberate effort.

Education and curriculum reform

aimed at promoting gender-inclusive content and counter-stereotypical role models can reduce prejudice and support more flexible gender beliefs.

• Teach critical media literacy

• Use counter-stereotypical role models (e.g., female scientists, male nurses)

• Promote egalitarian norms through school-based interventions

Parental and peer socialisation

significantly influence adolescents' gender role beliefs, with inclusive and supportive environments helping to reduce stereotyping and discrimination.

• Encourage gender-flexible parenting (equal support, autonomy for all genders)

• Foster peer environments that affirm gender diversity

Media representation

plays a powerful role in shaping gender expectations, and promoting diverse and inclusive portrayals can challenge rigid stereotypes during adolescence.

• Promote non-stereotypical portrayals of gender in media

• Increase access to diverse role models in children’s/teen programming

• Support media literacy programs

Inclusive School Policies

• Implement anti-bullying policies that protect against gender-based harassment

• Provide gender-inclusive facilities (e.g., bathrooms)

• Respect students' chosen pronouns and gender expressions

How can supportive environments impact adolescents?

Supportive environments can improve psychological health and well-being, reducing risks associated with discrimination and social exclusion.

What are some examples of socialization agents?

Socialization agents include parents, peers, teachers, and media that reinforce normative gender behaviors and roles.

Social Influences: Parents

From early childhood, children absorb gender norms via:

• Division of labour at home

• Parental emotional expression

• Expectations tied to gender

Families with traditional cultural or religious values tend to reinforce norms, while egalitarian parenting—emphasising openness and flexible role modelling—can foster more inclusive understandings of gender.

Social Influences: Siblings

• Modelling: Younger adolescents often emulate older siblings, especially when close in age

• Interaction: Sibling dynamics—negotiation, conflict, and cooperation—help shape expectations around gender

Siblings may reinforce traditional norms or offer alternative expressions of gender, depending on their own attitudes and behaviours.

Social Influences: Peers

• Boys may be mocked for sensitivity or dance

• Girls may be penalised socially for assertiveness

Some adolescents actively resist norms and form gender-affirming peer groups that promote diversity and exploration.

Social Influences: Teachers and schools

• Implicit biases: e.g., calling on boys more in STEM, expecting girls to excel in literacy

• Institutional practices: such as gendered dress codes, sports teams, or discipline

However, when schools:

• Use inclusive language

• Address gender-based bullying

• Support diverse identities

…they can significantly reduce stereotype adherence and broaden students’ gender understanding.

Social Media

• They amplify traditional norms (e.g., beauty ideals, hypermasculinity) through algorithms and peer validation

• But also offer visibility to gender-diverse identities and non-conforming role models

Social media can both reinforce and challenge gender norms depending on adolescents’ online communities and the content they consume or create.

Abstract Thinking

• Think hypothetically

• Reflect critically on societal expectations, including gender roles

This enables them to ask: Why are certain traits gendered? or Are these roles biologically necessary or culturally constructed?

Self-Categorisation Theory

Adolescents form social identities—including gender—by aligning with peer groups. This process can:

• Reinforce conformity to gender norms

• Spark resistance if personal identity conflicts with group expectations

Meta-Cognition and Schema Awareness

Adolescents gain awareness of their own thought processes, which helps them:

• Identify internalised stereotypes (e.g., "girls aren’t good at maths")

• Reconstruct their identity based on critical reflection

Cognitive Flexibility

Adolescents with flexible thinking tend to:

• Show more inclusive attitudes toward gender diversity

• Exhibit greater resilience and empathy

Those with rigid cognitive styles may:

• Cling to traditional norms

• Experience higher anxiety and more negative reactions to non-conformity

Cognitive Interventions

Educational programs targeting cognition can:

• Improve media literacy

• Encourage stereotype awareness

• Challenge the automatic use of gender schemas

These help adolescents develop openness to diverse identities and perspectives.

Contextual Influences: Schools

• Reinforce gender binaries (e.g., uniforms, sex-segregated classes, sports)

• Or promote inclusivity via:

  • Comprehensive sexuality education

  • Pronoun recognition

  • Gender-neutral facilities

Inclusive schools are associated with improved wellbeing, academic performance, and psychological safety, especially for gender-diverse youth

Contextual Influences: Media Systems

acts as a structural influence through:

• Algorithms that prioritise stereotypical gendered content

• Business models that reward conformity

can also:

• Elevate marginalised voices

• Promote non-traditional portrayals when diverse creators are amplified

Contextual Influences: Laws and Policies

• Affirming laws (e.g., anti-discrimination policies, access to gender-affirming healthcare) promote acceptance and mental health

• Restrictive laws create hostile environments, increasing isolation and distress

Laws serve as contextual signals about which identities are protected or marginalised.

Contextual Influences: Economic Context

• Boys may be pushed into early employment

• Girls may assume caregiving roles

Limited access to education, healthcare, and enrichment constrains the freedom to explore diverse identities

Cultural Traditions and Beliefs

• Religion

• Language

• Rituals

• Family expectations

In some cultures, gender roles are linked to honour or family reputation, making deviation difficult. However, many adolescents navigate hybrid spaces (e.g., traditional home + progressive school), prompting internal negotiation and identity synthesis.

A Dynamic, Developmental Perspective

Gender development is shaped by the interplay of:

• Social relationships (family, peers, media)

• Cognitive development (reflection, schema awareness)

• Contextual systems (culture, law, economy)

Adolescents often receive conflicting messages—for instance, a conservative home may emphasise traditional roles, while school promotes diversity. This can lead to:

• Resistance

• Negotiation

• Creative integration of values

Supporting Adolescent Gender Development

Supportive environments can mitigate the harm of rigid gender socialisation. Schools that:

• Promote gender equity

• Provide inclusive curricula

• Support student-led diversity initiatives

…have been shown to:

• Reduce gender-based harassment

• Foster flexible gender beliefs