Nely's Child Psychology Scrapbook

  I'd always wondered at what point in our lives we genuinely recognize gender identity. Are we born knowing, or do we have to be old and wise? At birth, we are assigned a sex based on the genitalia we are born with. Male or female, vagina or penis. Sex is solely based on physical appearance. Gender identity, on the other hand, is the internal sense of who we genuinely feel we are. That can be Male, female, both, or no gender at all. Identity develops over time; most kids' identities can align alongside their sex, though it is not so clear for some. Lawrence Kohlberg's cognitive developmental theory explains how a kid's gender identity develops in three stages during ages 2-6. This article does not express Kohlberg's approach, but it presents more or less his theory. By 30 months or the age of two, kids can identify and categorize themselves as a boy or a girl but do not know that gender/their sex is permanent. In the second stage, between 3-4, not only can they now...

       In part of our readings this week, I was intrigued to search more about children, the effects of bullying, and why kids become bullies. In the book, bullying is a power imbalance. Usually, those bullied are perceived to be overpowered by the bullies. In the article, bullying is intentionally tormenting physically, verbally, or psychologically. It explains many reasons children become bullies, and there is a good mixture. Those who over-power others do so to feel in control and more important. I think a given scenario for why some children bully is the way they have been treated, hence the want for control and power. Unfortunately, most children act or treat others this way because this is the example set at home. Many homes aren't perfect, and abuse and mistreatment can lead to a kid becoming a bully. Many mental disorders can become difficult for a child to cope with regardless if they are the victim or the bully.       It is essential for...