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The Neo-Social Development of Gender Identity: A Social Contagion

Received: 15 May 2024     Accepted: 11 July 2024     Published: 23 September 2024
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Abstract

In recent years, gender identity has become a topic of intense public debate. Two main perspectives have emerged. One perspective suggests that gender identity is an issue of not aligning with the assigned gender at birth, and the other, a psychological phenomenon that is influenced by societal trends, otherwise known as a social contagion. Social contagion holds that factors such as peer influence, media representation, and evolving societal norms significantly shape one's understanding of gender identity. Gender-affirming care and support are recommended solutions to alleviate gender dysphoria resulting from this phenomenon. However, a counter perspective, grounded in biological and Biblical truths, emphasizes that gender identity is an intrinsic part of a divine purpose and reflects God's creation. The complexity of self-discovery, societal influences, and religious beliefs has led to contentious debates on the nature of gender identity. The range of perspectives stresses the need for respectful and empathetic conversations encompassing diverse viewpoints while promoting a more comprehensive and purposeful society rooted in truth. Ultimately, the discourse on gender identity must merge into one objective—stabilizing and perpetuating society.

Published in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 5)
DOI 10.11648/j.pbs.20241305.12
Page(s) 118-122
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Gender Identity, Gender Development, Gender Dysphoria, Gender Fluid, Social Contagion

References
[1] American Psychological Association (APA). (2023). APA Dictionary of Psychology.
[2] Bennet, A., Kuchirko, Y., Halim, M. L., Costanzo, P. R., & Ruble, D. (2020). The influence of center-based care on young children's gender development. Journal of Applied Development Psychology, 69, 1-12.
[3] Cook, R. E., Nielson, M. G., Martin, C. L., & DeLay, D. (2019). Early adolescent gender development: The differential effects of felt pressure from parents, peers, and the self. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 48, 1912-1923.
[4] Golberstein, E., Whitlock, J. L., & Downs, M. F. (2013). Social contagion of mental health: Evidence from college roommates. Health Economics, 22(8), 965.
[5] Miller, P. (2016). Theories of Developmental Psychology (6th ed.). New York, NY: Worth. ISBN: 9781429278980.
[6] Mmari, K., Blum, R. W., Atnafou, R., Chilet, E., De Meyer, S., El-Gibaly, O., Basu, S., Bello, B., Maina, B., & Zuo, X. (2017). Exploration of gender norms and socialization among early adolescents: The use of qualitative methods for the global early adolescent study. Journal of Adolescent Health, 61, S12-S18.
[7] New International Bible. (2011). The NIV Bible.
[8] Sansfacon, A. P., Medico, D., Suerich-Gulick, F., & Newhook, J. T. (2020). “I knew that I wasn’t cis, I knew that, but I didn’t know exactly”: Gender identity development, expression and affirmation in youth who access gender affirming medical care. International Journal of Transgender Health, 21(3), 307-320.
[9] Zosuls, K. M., Miller, C. F., Ruble, D. N., Martin, C. L., & Fabes, R. A. (2011). Gender development research in Sex Roles: Historical trends and future directions. Sex Roles, 64, 826-842.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Hernandez, J. A. (2024). The Neo-Social Development of Gender Identity: A Social Contagion. Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, 13(5), 118-122. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20241305.12

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    ACS Style

    Hernandez, J. A. The Neo-Social Development of Gender Identity: A Social Contagion. Psychol. Behav. Sci. 2024, 13(5), 118-122. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20241305.12

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    AMA Style

    Hernandez JA. The Neo-Social Development of Gender Identity: A Social Contagion. Psychol Behav Sci. 2024;13(5):118-122. doi: 10.11648/j.pbs.20241305.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.pbs.20241305.12,
      author = {Jose Antonio Hernandez},
      title = {The Neo-Social Development of Gender Identity: A Social Contagion
    },
      journal = {Psychology and Behavioral Sciences},
      volume = {13},
      number = {5},
      pages = {118-122},
      doi = {10.11648/j.pbs.20241305.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.pbs.20241305.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.pbs.20241305.12},
      abstract = {In recent years, gender identity has become a topic of intense public debate. Two main perspectives have emerged. One perspective suggests that gender identity is an issue of not aligning with the assigned gender at birth, and the other, a psychological phenomenon that is influenced by societal trends, otherwise known as a social contagion. Social contagion holds that factors such as peer influence, media representation, and evolving societal norms significantly shape one's understanding of gender identity. Gender-affirming care and support are recommended solutions to alleviate gender dysphoria resulting from this phenomenon. However, a counter perspective, grounded in biological and Biblical truths, emphasizes that gender identity is an intrinsic part of a divine purpose and reflects God's creation. The complexity of self-discovery, societal influences, and religious beliefs has led to contentious debates on the nature of gender identity. The range of perspectives stresses the need for respectful and empathetic conversations encompassing diverse viewpoints while promoting a more comprehensive and purposeful society rooted in truth. Ultimately, the discourse on gender identity must merge into one objective—stabilizing and perpetuating society.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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    AB  - In recent years, gender identity has become a topic of intense public debate. Two main perspectives have emerged. One perspective suggests that gender identity is an issue of not aligning with the assigned gender at birth, and the other, a psychological phenomenon that is influenced by societal trends, otherwise known as a social contagion. Social contagion holds that factors such as peer influence, media representation, and evolving societal norms significantly shape one's understanding of gender identity. Gender-affirming care and support are recommended solutions to alleviate gender dysphoria resulting from this phenomenon. However, a counter perspective, grounded in biological and Biblical truths, emphasizes that gender identity is an intrinsic part of a divine purpose and reflects God's creation. The complexity of self-discovery, societal influences, and religious beliefs has led to contentious debates on the nature of gender identity. The range of perspectives stresses the need for respectful and empathetic conversations encompassing diverse viewpoints while promoting a more comprehensive and purposeful society rooted in truth. Ultimately, the discourse on gender identity must merge into one objective—stabilizing and perpetuating society.
    
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