Kohlberg’s Gender Identity theory

In 1966,  Lawrence Kohlberg proposed a gender Identity theory. This theory explains why boys and girls adopt traditional gender roles. Gender Identity develops between two and seven years old. At this time, children understand that their sex cannot be changed.

According to Kohlberg, children are actively socialized themselves not passive parts of society. Gender identity depends on cognitive development. According to this theory, children first establish a stable gender identity influenced by society. Children learn with the help of the environment and social conditions how to act like a boy or a girl.

Stages of Gender Identity Theory

According to Kohlberg’s gender theory, children acquire a mature understanding related to males or females; and pass through the following three states. They are- Basic Gender Identity, Gender Stability, and Gender Consistency.

Basic Gender Identity   In the gender Identity theory, this is a primary stage of gender Identity. By age 3, children label themselves as boys or girls. Children identify the other person’s gender identity with the help of wearing clothes.

Gender Stability    According to gender Identity theory, by age 5, the child recognizes that gender Identity is stable over time. According to a child, boys always grow up to become men and women become women.

Gender Consistency     According to Kohlberg’s gender Identity theory, by age 7, children understand that gender identity is permanent. In this stage, self-socialization begins with gender consistency. According to Kohlberg, children do not understand gender identity by biological and cultural norms. They understand gender identity with the help of the cognitive process.

Criticism of Kohlberg’s Gender Theory

• 2-year boy child plays with a boy’s toys (Car, Spiderman, Gun) and a girl child plays with a girl’s toys ( Doll, Kitchen set) So 2-year child identifies the gender identity. But according to Kohlberg by age 3 children start to gender identity.
• Lawrence Kohlberg ignored the cultural norms but cultural norms play an important role in identifying gender identity.
• Kohlberg’s gender identity theory is presented with the help of a lack of evidence.

Application of Kohlberg’s Gender Identity Theory

1. The teacher sets up the classroom based on the children’s knowledge about gender.

2. This theory is based on gender identity children are divided into two parts.

3. Inclusive education can be successful only after recognizing gender identity.

4. First comes the qualitative approach regarding the gender identity of the children.

5. And the children start wearing clothes according to gender.

Development in Adolescence