Module Three focused on attachment formation and the disorder that can evolve if positive attachment and extenuating circumstances inhibit positive attachment. Module Four discusses parenting roles and styles, expectations of children, and how these have a direct correlation to children’s identity as they move through childhood and adolescence into adulthood. For example, those who decide not to follow cultural or social norms could present as performing non-traditional gender roles, such as a female firefighter, a male nurse, or a stay-at-home dad. Parental and societal expectations can place an enormous amount of stress on a child; these expectations usually occur on an unconscious level, but nonetheless, parental expectations are intensely fortified from an early age. For example, parents or caregivers might expect their child to become an all-star soccer player or high school valedictorian or to obtain some other lofty goals. When these cultural and parental expectations are combined, this can at times place an exorbitant amount of pressure on children and adolescents. For example, in some South Asian cultures, high performers are extremely valued. Coupling that cultural expectation with parents who also push for high-achieving offspring can have an impact on development.
Module Four also examines the differentiation of sibling expectations based on gender roles. There are cultural connotations and family values that connect to the ideals of masculine and feminine roles. For example, in some Asian cultures, male offspring are expected to be the patriarchs of the family who will carry on the family name. Female offspring, on the other hand, are expected to be passive, to respect and follow the males in her life, to perform domestic duties, and to bear children. (In developmental psychology, please note that while sex refers to a person’s biological identification, gender refers to the classification of male and female roles.) In other traditional cultural and familial settings, males are expected to grow in the footsteps of their father figures—to protect and provide for their families and to be the family problem solvers. In these settings, the females are expected to follow the lead of their mother figures and to provide for their family units by performing duties such as cooking, cleaning, caring, and nurturing.
The world is changing rapidly, and these traditional roles are increasingly changing and bleeding into one another. Culturally speaking, the United States is slower than most countries to warm up to the idea of interchangeable gender roles. However, in an ever-evolving world, the acceptance of more fluid gender roles is increasing at a rapid rate, breaking down stereotypes that have existed for hundreds of years. The manner in which children are reared to believe in gender roles has a direct impact on how the they operate in society and relationships and how they rear their own offspring. In order to break stereotypes or gender roles, it is important to understand the profound impact gender expectations can have on a child.
In addition, Module Four explores the concept of gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria (previously known as gender identity disorder) occurs when a person does not identify with his or her natural biological sex assignment. For example, a natural-born male may identify vehemently that he should have been born a female and may only show interest in female-oriented activities or tasks that are more traditionally female driven. According to the DSM-5 symptomatic criteria, in order for someone to be diagnosed with such a disorder, the person must exhibit marked distress for more than six consecutive months. People with gender dysphoria may articulate to others that they feel they were born in the wrong body and may experience distress that impedes their daily functioning. Moreover, social and emotional functionality is markedly impaired due to the distress the misidentification has caused. Finally, people with gender dysphoria will likely express dissatisfaction with their assigned sex characteristics and may pursue the avenue of sex re-identification options such as hormone replacement therapy, gender reassignment surgery, and counseling to support their true identity. While there have been grand strides to gain greater social, environmental, and cultural acceptance, there remains a lag in overall acceptance of individuals and how they self-identify.
In conclusion, Module Four navigates the many facets of development in relation to gender roles and identity and encompasses cultural, ethnic, and social norms that protrude into aspects of gender development. Module Five moves on to explore physical health and the implications on mental health, and cognitive and behavioral patterns of development.