Define gender constancy. Differentiate between each of the three stages in which it develops and describe what age range each stage typically occurs in.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Gender constancy is the understanding that gender is a stable and consistent part of oneself, which develops in three stages according to Kohlberg’s cognitive developmental theory. The first stage is the development of gender identity, in which children can identify and label themselves, as well as others, as boys or girls; gender identity develops around 18 months to 2 years. However, at this stage, a girl may feel strongly that when she grows up she can be a boy if she wants to. The second stage of gender constancy is the development of gender stability, which happens around 3–4 years of age and refers to the understanding that gender is stable over time. Yet a 4-year-old girl with a firm grasp of gender stability may still insist that if she wears pants she will no longer be a girl. Once kids understand that gender is generally stable over time, they go through a period of rigidity in adhering to gender norms. In the third stage of gender constancy development, between 5 and 7 years of age, gender consistency develops and kids become more flexible about gender stereotypes. Gender consistency is the understanding that gender remains consistent despite superficial changes in appearance (such as wearing long dresses instead of pants). After this is fully developed, children become more flexible because they know that playing with gender-stereotyped toys or wearing gender-typed clothing won’t have any effect on their gender. However, the majority of children continue stereotypical gender roles and appearance.