Gender codes

Question 1

Gender-role socialisation involves the learning of gender codes which leads to what?

Answer 1

Gender-role socialisation involves the learning of gender codes which lead to a social conformity to expectations about appropriate gendered behaviour.

Question 2

What did Statham note in 1986 about Gender Identity?

Answer 2

Statham (1986) notes that by the age of 5, most children have acquired a clear gender identity and what constitutes appropriate behaviour for their gender.

Question 3

What are the five Gender Codes that Children learn.

Answer 3

1. Colour Codes
2. Appearance Codes
3. Toy Codes
4. Play Codes
5. Control Codes

Question 4

Define the Gender Code of Colour.

Answer 4

Colour codes: Boys = blue, Girls = pink.

Question 5

Define the Gender Code of Appearance.

Answer 5

Appearance codes: Learning how to dress – differences of jewellery, hairstyles, cosmetics etc.

Question 6

Define the Gender Code of Toy.

Answer 6

Toy Codes: Gender-specific toys give an indication to expected future gender roles. Girls = dolls (caring), Boys = Action Toys (aggressive)

Question 7

Define the Gender Code of Play.

Answer 7

Play Codes: Boys and girls learn how to behave and interact with each other differently. Boys tends= to play in a boisterous manner, whereas girls learn to be much more docile and play decorously.

Question 8

Define the Gender Code of Control.

Answer 8

Control Codes: Boys and girls are subjected to differing levels of social control. Girls are controlled much more tightly by their parents than boys. Therefore, girls learn to become conformist in their behaviour, whereas boys learn to be risk takers.