Gender Identity: Lack Of Specific Hormones
Gender Identity Paper
PSY340
July 29, 2013
Jill Bean
Gender Identity Paper
Every individual’s body produces substances referred to as hormones which act as “chemical messengers” in an effort to regulate particular bodily functions such as metabolism and growth. These hormones are produced by the pancreas, thyroid, pituitary, pineal, and adrenal glands which are also referred to as the endocrine system. Hormones are additionally produced in the ovaries in women and the testes in men. The secretions of particular hormones assist the body in maintaining a state of balance or homeostasis. When one or more hormones within the body are produced in excess, or if there is a lack of a particular hormone, physical and/or emotional problems are …show more content…
Exercise increases the level of several different types of hormones which in turn create an overall feeling of wellbeing whereas a lack of specific hormones can cause feeling of sadness and depression etc. As previously stated; testosterone is the dominant hormone which determines the extent of an individual’s masculine characteristics while estrogen determines feminine characteristics. Many times a child may be born as one gender yet exhibit traits which are unique to the opposite sex or they may simply feel as if they are in the wrong body; this can be extremely confusing to not only themselves but to those around …show more content…
There are numerous dynamics which can affect gender identity and sometimes, these factors are not related to hormones, genes or various other biological factors; they are related to the individual’s environment and the way they are treated or looked upon during the most formative periods of their lives. Socialization or the process of an individual becoming familiar with their immediate environment by interacting with others in order to learn about themselves and their world is an extremely important aspect of personality development. Environmental influences may have as great an effect on behavior as hormonal influences. Many times the effects of improper socialization can even be quite detrimental to patterns of development in childhood which can cause behavioral problems throughout an individual’s
PSY340
July 29, 2013
Jill Bean
Gender Identity Paper
Every individual’s body produces substances referred to as hormones which act as “chemical messengers” in an effort to regulate particular bodily functions such as metabolism and growth. These hormones are produced by the pancreas, thyroid, pituitary, pineal, and adrenal glands which are also referred to as the endocrine system. Hormones are additionally produced in the ovaries in women and the testes in men. The secretions of particular hormones assist the body in maintaining a state of balance or homeostasis. When one or more hormones within the body are produced in excess, or if there is a lack of a particular hormone, physical and/or emotional problems are …show more content…
Exercise increases the level of several different types of hormones which in turn create an overall feeling of wellbeing whereas a lack of specific hormones can cause feeling of sadness and depression etc. As previously stated; testosterone is the dominant hormone which determines the extent of an individual’s masculine characteristics while estrogen determines feminine characteristics. Many times a child may be born as one gender yet exhibit traits which are unique to the opposite sex or they may simply feel as if they are in the wrong body; this can be extremely confusing to not only themselves but to those around …show more content…
There are numerous dynamics which can affect gender identity and sometimes, these factors are not related to hormones, genes or various other biological factors; they are related to the individual’s environment and the way they are treated or looked upon during the most formative periods of their lives. Socialization or the process of an individual becoming familiar with their immediate environment by interacting with others in order to learn about themselves and their world is an extremely important aspect of personality development. Environmental influences may have as great an effect on behavior as hormonal influences. Many times the effects of improper socialization can even be quite detrimental to patterns of development in childhood which can cause behavioral problems throughout an individual’s