Kohlberg's Cognitive Theory of Gender Development: Stages 2 and 3
As children progress in their cognitive development, they move through the next two stages of Kohlberg's theory. Stage 2, gender stability, typically emerges around age 4. At this stage, children begin to recognize that gender remains stable over time, understanding that boys grow into men and girls grow into women. However, their understanding is still limited, as they may believe gender can change across situations.
Example: A child at the gender stability stage might understand that they will grow up to be a man or woman, but may think a boy could become a girl if he engages in traditionally female activities.
Stage 3, gender constancy in early childhood, is achieved around age 6. This is a crucial milestone in gender understanding, as children realize that gender remains consistent across all situations, regardless of appearance or activities.
Definition: Gender constancy is the understanding that gender is a fixed characteristic that doesn't change based on clothing, behavior, or other external factors.
Once children reach this stage, Kohlberg proposed that they begin to pay more attention to same-sex models and may consequently copy them. This can lead to more rigid stereotyping and self-socialization.
Highlight: The achievement of gender constancy can result in children more actively seeking out and imitating same-sex role models.
Kohlberg's theory is supported by various research studies. For instance, Thompson found that 76% of 2-year-olds and 90% of 3-year-olds could accurately identify their sex, aligning with the gender identity stage. Slaby's research provided evidence for the gender stability stage, showing that children only gave answers corresponding to their sex once they recognized gender stability over time.
Quote: "Once a child has established an understanding of gender, this causes them to pay more attention to same-sex models and consequently copy them."
