Running head: FOSTERING TRADITIONAL GENDER ROLES OR ANDROGYNY IN CHILDREN?

Fostering Traditional Gender Roles or Androgyny in Children?

A Debate Report
Megan Van Doren
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Authors Note
Megan L. Van Doren, Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of
Pennsylvania.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Megan L. Van Doren,
Department of Psychology, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg, PA 17815.
Email: mlv69435@huskies.bloomu.edu

FOSTERING TRADITIONAL GENDER ROLES OR ANDROGYNY IN CHILDREN?

In the society that we live in, some people are confused about their personal and public
identity. The process of understanding gender can be challenging and even uncomfortable to some
people. Gender is societys way of understanding individuals by categorizing them according to
certain behaviors, attitudes, and feelings that associate with ones own biological sex. Conversely,
gender identity refers to how a person thinks of ones own gender and whether it correlates with
society or not. In regards to gender identity, people can see themselves as masculine (male), feminine
(female), androgynous (high levels of both characteristics), or undifferentiated (having low levels of
both characteristics). People often confuse gender identity with sexual identity which refers to how a
person thinks of ones self in terms of whom one is sexually/romantically attracted to (Definition of
Terms, 2011, p. 1). The focus on this paper is on gender identity in regards to androgyny, and the
controversy that arises when adolescents express this specific identity.
Androgyny, in the traditional sense, is considered to be defined by a person having and
possibly displaying high levels of both masculine and feminine characteristics. Many people consider
it to be a balanced identity with which focuses on the socially desirable merits of both genders.
Logically though, for androgyny to be considered balanced means that it can also display the socially
undesirable traits of both genders (Woodhill & Samuels, 2003, p.556). This conflicts with the
traditional masculine and feminine roles that over the years society has molded. Gender stereotyping
became a result where society viewed boys as displaying masculine qualities and expressing
themselves through roughhousing and sports. On the other hand, society would view girls as
feminine, so it was expected for them to express themselves by acting nurturing and motherly. When
it comes to instilling gender identity among adolescents, the impact parents (especially mothers) have
on their sons and daughters is significant. In this debated issue, parents should be encouraged to raise
androgynous sons and daughters, to a certain extent, over traditional masculine and feminine roles.

FOSTERING TRADITIONAL GENDER ROLES OR ANDROGYNY IN CHILDREN?

When instilling gender identity among their children, parents have a significant role. Though,
typically there is an uneven distribution of influence between the mother and father. The mother and
her characteristics seem to be especially important when determining a childs gender role
development. In the past, mothers would be seen as the primary caretakers of the home and would
associate with the children more than the fathers would. This is because the fathers would get
involved with activities that took place outside of the home. Being the breadwinner by managing a
career is an example of one of those activities. In todays society where both men and women work
outside of the home, studies show that on a whole, women still care for the home and children more
than men. A young girl will then associate herself as feminine due to the mothers regular presence in
her life, and the close bond that forms as a result of the traditional gendered identity. Since the father
usually is not the caretaker, a young boy learns his gendered identity by distancing himself from the
mother, and develops nonconcrete images of traditional masculinity (Naples, 2014, p.193). The
mothers marital status has a part in determining the gendered identity of a child. If the mother and
father are married, there tends to be a gendered-type understanding, and the child will either be
traditionally masculine or feminine. If the mother is unmarried, there is a tendency to lack
understanding, and the child might become androgynous (Hupp, Smith, Coleman, & Brunell, 2010,
p. 389). This could be due to the idea that the mother associates herself with being androgynous as
well.
Androgyny can appear confusing to people who are not familiar with how the identity
impacts society. To better explain androgyny, an empirical study was conducted in Australia that
included 240 participants from various sources such as: a university, a city choir, an adult relaxation
center, and volunteers who knew the authors. A series of 32 self-report questions, which was a
modified version of the Extended Personal Attributes Questionnaire (EPAQ), were used to determine
positive or negative traits associated with being masculine or feminine. Positive traits could include:

FOSTERING TRADITIONAL GENDER ROLES OR ANDROGYNY IN CHILDREN?

independence (m+), tolerance (f+), ambition (m+), and compassion (f+). Negative traits such as
selfishness (m-), being temperamental (f-), aggressiveness (m-), and submissiveness (f-) could be
included as well. Each participant was then classified with one of the seven gender role identities.
These identities included being: positively androgynous (A+), negatively androgynous (A),
positively feminine (F+), negatively feminine (F), positively masculine (M+), negatively masculine
(M), and undifferentiated androgynous (Au). Afterwards, the participants completed more
questionnaires that assessed their personal health and well-being in relation to how they felt about
their given identity and not their desired identity. The results showed validity that can be used to
differentiate androgyny into categories of positive and negative. It was also discovered that positively
androgynous, positively masculine, and positively feminine people had overall higher levels of
functioning, in regards to psychological health and well-being, than each of the negative identities
(Woodhill & Samuels, 2003).
Even though having androgynous qualities may seem harmless, expressing this gender
identity is the cause of significant controversy. While both sexes may display androgyny equally,
boys acquire a harsher punishment in todays American society than girls. When girls like to
associate themselves with sports, mud, insects, trucks, and boyish clothing, they are typically given
the stereotype tomboy. When boys like to paint their nails, play with dolls, wear pink, bake
cupcakes, and even wear dresses, they can be given the stereotype of sissy. Unfortunately, most
people argue that masculinity is the privileged trait, and femininity would therefore to be the
oppressed trait. It is socially better for young girls to act like boys for this very reason. Boys who
denounce their given male status by acting feminine will earn a much higher social stigma (Naples,
2014, p.191).
There are many positive features when it comes to raising androgynous children. From the
empirical study mentioned earlier, many positive traits (independence, compassion, ambition,

FOSTERING TRADITIONAL GENDER ROLES OR ANDROGYNY IN CHILDREN?

tolerance, etc) have validity associated with living a happier lifestyle. (Woodhill & Samuels, 2003, p.
563). Having the best qualities from both sexes would mean getting the best of both worlds.
Adolescents having these traits could grow up obtaining the ability to empathize with both sexes.
This ability comes in handy in todays society in regards to the workforce, family life, and
predominantly romantic relationships. Raising androgynous children may possibly break the mold of
gendered stereotypes, and as a result, improve the views of gender in humanity.
For the argument of raising androgynous children, there are negative effects of nurturing
traditionally masculine and feminine children. Limiting the mind to only accept having masculine or
feminine qualities will only increase the use of gendered stereotyping upon others that are raised
differently. Having that limited point of view may cause adolescents to engage in bullying, which as
a result will lower self-esteem for their victims. Tracing back to our Adolescent Development book,
boys who are more traditionally masculine are more likely to experiment with drugs, unprotected
sex, alcohol, and delinquency. Girls are more likely to develop disordered eating, which is a
traditionally feminine psychological issue (Steinberg, 2014, p. 282).
Even though raising androgynous children seems ideal, the negative side needs to be
considered as well. The empirical study, stated previously, also introduced the idea of having the
negative qualities of both masculine and feminine genders. High levels of submissiveness,
selfishness, temperament, and aggressiveness could be displayed alongside of the positive traits, or
even appear dominate for certain life situations (Woodhill & Samuels, 2003, p. 556). These traits will
impact how others view negatively androgynous people for the worse, and in time the concept of the
looking glass self will instill on the adolescents themselves. Another reason that supports the
negative consequences of raising androgynous children is the idea of losing gender differences in
society. If everyone appeared androgynous, then our human concept of competition and categorizing

FOSTERING TRADITIONAL GENDER ROLES OR ANDROGYNY IN CHILDREN?

people in order to rationally understand others would cease. A utopian society takes away from the
flaws that make us human, and life lacks luster as a result.
In support of not raising androgynous children, there are positive characteristics of raising
traditionally masculine and feminine children. Research shows that boys and girls who display
typical gendered qualities are more accepted by peers due to gender stereotyping and the gender
intensification hypothesis. This hypothesis is formed from the thought that during the time of
middle adolescence, intense pressure is formed on boys and girls to follow gender in the eyes of
traditional American civilization. As a reward for following the norms, adolescents tend to also feel
better about themselves, since they will not end up harassed by culture (Steinberg, 2014, p. 281).
In coming to terms with both sides of the argument, I believe that parents should be
encouraged to raise androgynous sons and daughters, to a certain extent, over traditional masculine
and feminine roles. The word encouraged is crucial with my outlook because it is not healthy to
force a child to become something they were not meant to be. However, it is not good to limit a
childs mindset because it will impact them negatively later in their life. Children should get the
opportunity to showcase their developing gendered identity, and experiment with both stereotyped
masculine and feminine objects. The phrase to a certain extent is also important in my statement
because parents may need to assist the child if problems arise in the future. Future orientation plays a
role when a girl or boy starts to reflect on who they currently are versus who they will become in
terms of the choices they make. It is said that late adolescence is the key time period where people
come to terms with their true identity. If the adolescent is conflicted with their gendered identity,
identity diffusion may result. That term is used when identity is not figured out, and the person feels
incomplete. This may lead to more serious psychopathological conditions, for example having an
identity crisis (Steinberg, 2014, p. 268). Parents should then encourage their son or daughter to
consider counseling in order to resolve their gendered identity confusion.

FOSTERING TRADITIONAL GENDER ROLES OR ANDROGYNY IN CHILDREN?

When it comes to instilling gender identity among adolescents, the impact parents (especially
mothers) have on their sons and daughters is significant. In this debated issue, parents should be
encouraged to raise androgynous sons and daughters, to a certain extent, over traditional masculine
and feminine roles. It will encourage an open outlook on life and help teach acceptance. Throughout
history, there were times where men would dress feminine to show power, but at the same time,
elegance. In the 18th century, it was normal, and even revered, for men to wear powdered wigs and
dresses. Also, many famous women, from Amelia Earhart to Hilary Clinton, have paved the way for
women by exhibiting masculine traits. Times have indeed changed throughout history, and hopefully
times will change again especially for America. People should have the right to mold into whoever
they want to be, and it is time for society to appreciate what is outside of the norm.

FOSTERING TRADITIONAL GENDER ROLES OR ANDROGYNY IN CHILDREN?

References
Definition of terms: Sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation. (2011). The Guidelines for
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Hupp, J.-M., Smith, J.-L., Coleman, J.-M., & Brunell, A.-B. (2010). That's a boy's toy: Gendertyped knowledge in toddlers as a function of mother's marital status. Journal of Genetic
Psychology. 171, 389-392.
Naples. N. A. (2014). Gender and intersectionality. In Gould, K. A., & Lewis T. L., Ten lessons
in introductory sociology. (pp. 192-197). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Steinberg, L. (2014). Adolescence. (10th ed.). Temple University: McGraw-Hill Education.
Woodhill, B.-M., & Samuels, C.-A. (2003). Positive and negative androgyny and their
relationship with psychological health and well-being. Sex Roles. 48. 555-563.