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Gender Identity Paer

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Submitted By william56
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Gender Identity Paper
Khadija Kemp
Psy/340
November 26, 2012
Instructor: Diane Snyder

It appears as if the human body has been created to perform at its fullest potential according to just the right combination of hormones. Hormones are chemicals that are secreted from particular cells that flow into the bloodstream and then transported into a variety of body parts responsible for acting on certain tissues. These hormones affect physical and mental aspects of the human being. (Priya Johnson, 2011) The monthly menstrual cycle is just one of many biological factors that determine how hormones work in women. It is a very common for women to behave in a certain manner during the time of their menstrual cycle. Women are more prone to crave sex and have their sexual desire increase during the time of their menstrual cycle. Mood swings are known to occur frequently and without warning. Studies reveal that as women near their ovulation cycle, they will eat less and have greater sexual desire. They will pay closer attention to the opposite sex, become more flirtatious and even dress in a sexier manner to attract men. All of this happens as a result of the hormonal fluctuations occurring during the menstrual period. (Priya Johnson, 2011) Pregnancy and childbirth are other biological factors associated with hormone and behavior. A woman experiencing pregnancy is vulnerable to a variety of behavioral changes during this time. Pregnant women are known to go from one extreme to another during the time of pregnancy due to hormonal change. The body appears to experience a number of changes during this time that include constipation, irritability, fatigue, vomiting and nausea. It is not uncommon for a woman to appear extremely happy one moment and began to cry the next throughout pregnancy. These hormonal and behavioral changes stem from a main form of estrogen referred to as hormone estradiol. This particular hormone is produced in large quantities during pregnancy. Other hormones produced during the time of pregnancy include, progesterone, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and relaxin. The latest studies reveal that pregnant women develop a greater ability to read the emotions of the faces of others during this time and can better identify fear and disgust in terms of emotions. (Priya Johnson, 2011) Childbirth appears to produce a drop in hormones. After giving birth many women experience bouts of depression that include worrying about the health of the child if he/she was born premature or with health problems. Other mothers experience feelings of depression because of lack of intimacy with their spouse, fatigue, lack of family support and financial worries. Menopause can also be declared a biological factor that affects the hormonal and behavioral balance in women. Just before menopause strikes, hormonal levels continue to bounce up and down and will gradually force the ovaries to cease the production of hormones necessary to balance out behavioral changes and stability. As a result of these changes in hormone, during the stage of menopause women are likely to experience irritability, hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbance and changes in their menstrual cycle. Women also appear to be more prone to experiencing bouts of depression during menopause that stem from hormonal fluctuation. (Priya Johnson, 2011)
Biological factors that cause hormonal and behavioral changes in men include a condition called Andropause. This condition is similar to the condition Menopause that affects many women as they mature. During the stage of Andropause, men are prone to feeling irritable, will or can experience loss of sex drive and testosterone levels are known to drop. An excessive amount of testosterone can cause some men to become very aggressive and it is recommended that men monitor their levels of testosterone after a certain age. A drop in the hormone testosterone can cause mood swings in men such as low sex drive, fatigue and a disinterest in events taking place around them. Sexual differentiation is usually determined within the first six to eights weeks of the gestational stage. During this time the genitals are developing and will determine the sex of the fetus. Male sexual differentiation and behavior are thought to be caused by androgens which are conversions of the hormone estrogen. Direct effects of testosterone on the developing brain of a fetus are of essential relevance for the development of male gender identity and male heterosexual orientation. However, structural differences have been described that appear to be related to gender identity and sexual orientation. (Swabb DF, 2004)
Biological factors have always been up for discussion when it comes to attributing them to nature or nurture. The nurture argument of sexuality states that gender identity is a choice. Modern science and research have begun to supply us with substantial evidence that gender identity is not always a conscious choice but mostly the result of biological factors. Hormone levels, genetics and size differences in certain areas of the brain appear to play a very major role in gender identity and sexual differentiation. Another biological factor that will contribute to sexual identity is the size of certain areas in the brain that are associated with sex and reproduction. (Wirth, 2010) Sexual identity and the choice to engage in sexual fantasy must not be confused and always be viewed separately. Many of the youth are “choosing” to experiment and even identify them selves as gay, lesbian and bi-sexual. The reality is that many of these individuals are simply experimenting out of curiosity or making an attempt at gaining attention for a number of reasons. However, after a certain amount of time and/or experience, they are forced to come to the realization that sexual identity is not a choice but a decision made for us prior to possessing the ability to make them for ourselves.
I believe that both nature and nurture has a substantial amount of influence on sexual differentiation and gender identity. However, viewing both from a scientific perspective I would have to say that nature has a larger influence. My reasoning surrounds hormones and behavior that stems from a time where we are unable to make certain choices. It appears that in many cases the individual is already aware of their sexual differentiation and gender identity prior to being able to comprehend what their bodies and minds may be experiencing. There has always been homosexuality but the topic of being transgender is just recently receiving the attention it deserves and requires. I have always known men that identify with being female and vice versa. However, until recent times was unaware of how prevalent the issues is in society. Although statistically more men are having sex change operations done than women, the rate of gender identity among both genders are higher than one would believe. In fact, the rate of suicide is much higher than many are aware of due to discrimination and feelings of being misunderstood by those affected by the topic of being transgender. A staggering forty-one percent of transgender people in the United States have attempted suicide, according to a new survey. About nineteen percent of transgender people report being refused medical care because of their gender- nonconforming status and a shocking two percent have been violently assaulted in a doctor’s office. These statistics are just some of the findings from a survey of more than seven thousand transgender people conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, released in October of 2010. (Clara Moskowitz, 2010)
I am not certain whether biopsychology will assist in resolving the issues of sexual differentiation and gender identity, considering so many are biased and believe men should behave a certain way as well as women. I do believe that the evidence and research being done everyday is an aid in helping those affected by gender identity to understand them, the way the feel and behave. It appears that the idea of there being only two genders stem from biblical times and religion. In spite of receiving evidence on a regular basis via biopsychology and other methods, society still has made up its mind that there should only be a man or woman in terms of gender. I believe each individual has the right to be who they really are without limitations or being stigmatized. It is extremely sad and unfair that so many are forced to live a life that is not their very own due to the expectations that society has placed upon them. I am a firm believer that eventually we will reside in a world where everyone will receive the opportunity to live to their fullest potential, whether it is as a male, female or both.

Bibliography

http://voices.yahoo.com/is-gender-identity-result-biologics-environmental-10617019.html

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/hormones-and-behavior.html

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