SEXUAL IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT AND STAGES IN CHILDREN
What is Gender Identity
Sexual identity is
the identity that people who perceive and accept the role of a gender
(anatomical and physiological characteristics that indicate that they are
female or male) in the body to which a person belongs, and who have adopted
emotional states, behaviors, and even gender roles, together with elements such
as clothing and style, are called sexual identity. To define it briefly, it is
the state of feeling that the person is a man or a woman.
How is Sexual Identity Development in
Children Completed?
Gender identity is scientifically established before
the end of 2 years of age in people, but the development of sexual identity is
a condition that can be formed and developed over time by being affected by the
environment. Sexual roles can also be completed around the age of 4, 4.5 years.
The development of sexual identity begins with the child's exploration of his
or her own body. We can say all the factors such as the child being aware of
his own gender, feeling inclined to that role by integrating the gender imposed
by the society with himself, being able to distinguish the genders of other
people and starting to compare with himself, that is, acting according to
gender norms.
But not all of these elements are things that can be
completed in a short time. In the process that continues from childhood to
adulthood, we can call it the journey of self-discovery, which can take shape
by being influenced by the environment, society and people.
So what are the stages of sexual identity
formation and development?
Let's examine the stages of sexual identity
development from the theory of Stages of Psychosexual Development put forward
by Sigmund Freud. Freud formed these stages as oral, anal, phallic, latent and
genital in 5 stages.
Stage 1 Oral Period
In the oral period, libido first occurs in the age
range of 1.1.5 years with the baby fed by mouth. We can give an example of this
stage where babies take things into their mouths and suck and bite.
Stage 2 Anal Period
In this stage, the focus is in the anus region. The
child enjoys defecating slowly, and this is the stage when sexual urges are
concentrated in the anus area. That is, he gradually begins to realize that he
is an individual.
Stage 3 Phallic Period
During the phallic phase, which covers the ages of 3
and 6, the child's libido gradually collects on his genitals. Children become
aware of their sexual awareness. Erotic attraction complexes with emotions such
as jealousy, resentment, fear reveal themselves.
Stage 4 Latent Period
In the latent stage, no psychosexual development
occurs, because the libido is dormant and this process extends to adolescence.
Stage 5 Genital Period
In the genital period, which is the last stage of
development, the person now wants to seek answers to his sexual impulses and
accepts that he is now an individual. This period also occurs during and after
adolescence.
So what can be done for children who are
dissatisfied with their sexual identity? What should parents do in this
situation?
Although the gender roles imposed on children by society seem harmless in the first place, in fact, in the future, this can become harmful enough to turn into a psychological disorder for the child. The simplest examples of these roles imposed on children are the instillation of pink color in girls and blue color in boys. Or another example can be given as toys. We can say that the most important factor here is the family rather than the effect of the environment. We can say that family quarrels, unpleasant situations or many other reasons are the leading behaviors and attitudes that cause the child to be dissatisfied with his sexual identity. The first thing to do is not to condemn the children and to show a tolerant attitude of the parents. This is important both for the child and for the effect of the emotional states and movements that the environment will show him on the child's mental health.
So what can be done?
In this case, psychoeducation of children and
adolescents who are dissatisfied with their sexual identities, as well as their
parents, will help to overcome this situation more easily. This education can
influence the thinking and perspective of the family and the child and allow
them to better adopt gender roles.
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