Gender Identity
Psy/340

Gender Identity
Introduction
The endocrine system is made up of several glands that secrete different hormones. These glands are the: Pituitary, Pineal, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Thymus, Pancreas, and Adrenal Glands as well as the ovaries and testes. All of these glands have a hand in generating hormones responsible for different behaviors either directly or indirectly. “Gender identity is how we feel about and express our gender and gender roles — clothing, behavior, and personal appearance. It is a feeling that we have as early as age two or three” ("Gender And Gender Identity", 2001). While there is much to say about the brain and its relationship to personal gender identity it is also very evident that the interaction between hormones and behavior is a deciding factor as well.
Biological Factors & Gender Identity
Our personal biology is what we are born with, things that are distinctive to us. Whether someone has red or blonde hair, brown or blue eyes, or light or dark skin is part of their biology. More specifically our sexual organs are perhaps the most distinctive parts of our biology because they set the groundwork for how we will be viewed by society, whether we personally feel that way or not. I say this because our sexual organs will inevitably determine our appearance. Having male organs causes boys/men secrete more androgens or male hormones (testosterone) than girls. Because they secrete a larger amount of these hormones they will develop more “male” characteristics as far as appearance, and even personality. The testosterone androgen will promote a more masculine looking physique and even “boys with excess androgens play and behave much like normal male peers” (Oswalt, 1995-2012). Furthermore females who are born with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (an excess amount of androgens) has been known to mildly interfere with