Cognitive explanations:
1 Kohlberg’s theory: of gender development is cognitive. He argues it starts at
age 2 and finishes at 7 in 3 different stages. Before a child progresses to next
stage there must be brain maturation.
First stage is gender identity happening ages 2-3. They begin to understand
they are a boy or a girl and can apply gender labels to others but this is based
on external physical characteristics e.g. hair length. They don’t understand
their own and other genders are constant across time.
Second stage is gender stability happening ages 3-4. They understand their
own gender remains consistent across time but don’t understand other
people’s gender does too. Still confused about external physical characteristics.
Third stage is gender constancy happening age 6. The child understands
gender is fixed across time, no longer fooled by outside appearance,
understand biological differences, and will now observe models of the same
sex to identify gender appropriate behaviour.
Stage 1: gender identity – 2/3 years. Doesn’t understand their own and other
genders are constant across time. Understanding of gender is based on
external physical characteristics e.g. hair length. Begin to understand they are
a boy or girl. Can apply gender labels.
Stage 2: gender stability – ¾ years. Doesn’t understand other people’s gender
is constant across time. Gets confused about external physical characteristics.
Understands their own gender remains consistent across time.
Stage 3: gender constancy – 6 years. Recognises gender remains constant
across time. Have understanding of biological differences between men and
1 Kohlberg’s theory: of gender development is cognitive. He argues it starts at
age 2 and finishes at 7 in 3 different stages. Before a child progresses to next
stage there must be brain maturation.
First stage is gender identity happening ages 2-3. They begin to understand
they are a boy or a girl and can apply gender labels to others but this is based
on external physical characteristics e.g. hair length. They don’t understand
their own and other genders are constant across time.
Second stage is gender stability happening ages 3-4. They understand their
own gender remains consistent across time but don’t understand other
people’s gender does too. Still confused about external physical characteristics.
Third stage is gender constancy happening age 6. The child understands
gender is fixed across time, no longer fooled by outside appearance,
understand biological differences, and will now observe models of the same
sex to identify gender appropriate behaviour.
Stage 1: gender identity – 2/3 years. Doesn’t understand their own and other
genders are constant across time. Understanding of gender is based on
external physical characteristics e.g. hair length. Begin to understand they are
a boy or girl. Can apply gender labels.
Stage 2: gender stability – ¾ years. Doesn’t understand other people’s gender
is constant across time. Gets confused about external physical characteristics.
Understands their own gender remains consistent across time.
Stage 3: gender constancy – 6 years. Recognises gender remains constant
across time. Have understanding of biological differences between men and
