Assignment: Gender Theories There are several perspectives on gender development

Assignment:
Gender Theories
There are several perspectives on gender development. These
perspectives have been studied and formulated into theories. Freud led the way
with psychodynamic theories of gender development suggesting that early
childhood interaction with parents was the foundation of gender development.
Social learning theories are founded in reinforcement and observational models
suggesting that gender development is learned. Cognitive development theories
suggest that gender differences develop by observation of gender consistencies,
gender schemata, or gender scripts within a culture. Whatever the theory,
gender roles differ in different cultures. Remember that culture includes age,
religion, sexual orientation, etc., as well as race and ethnicity. In this
Application Assignment, you will apply gender theory to gender development by
comparing gender roles in different cultures and using theory to explain the
difference.
To prepare for this assignment:
Focus on how gender studies have evolved over the decades and
the difference between the gender development theory perspectives.
Review the article, “Perspectives on Gender
Development.” Focus on the limitations of traditional social learning
and cognitive perspectives and what an expanded view might look like.
Select a specific culture (e.g., geographical,
religious, racial, etc.) that is not your own. Using the Internet and the
Walden Library, research gender roles for this culture.
Think about how each of the different theories of
gender development might explain the development of the gender roles in
the culture you have selected and for your own culture. Your text explores
psychodynamic approaches, social learning theory approaches, and cognitive
theory approaches.
The assignment (3–5 pages):
Briefly describe the specific culture you selected,
focusing on the gender roles of both males and the females.
Compare (similarities and differences) the gender roles
in the culture you selected with the gender roles in your own culture. Use
clear, concrete examples to make your comparisons.
Apply one of the following theories to explain the
development of the male and the female role in each of the two cultures
(your own and the culture you selected). Use clear, concrete examples to
illustrate your points.
Discuss development of gender roles in at least three
different areas of life (e.g., family, work, community, etc.)
Select your theory from the following:
Social Learning Theory
Cognitive Developmental
Theory
Gender Schema Theory
Gender Script Theory
Finally, summarize your thoughts about how well your
selected gender development theory explains gender development and why.