Psychological correlates of gender identity in early adulthood

doi:10.26565/2410-1249-2016-6-07

Abstract

The article deals with the psychological mechanisms of personal self-determination of the Ukrainian students (youth) in modern controversial system of traditional / patriarchal and egalitarian / democratic coordinates from the position of gender methodology. The psychological model of sex-role identification is suggested. Social and educational factors and personal determinants of personalization of gender “I” are summarized. The social construction of gender in youth environment is determined by gender space of contemporary society, it is characterized by double contradiction: on the one hand, a partial solution of the ways of establishment of formal equality and appellation to the natural function of women, on the other hand - new, alternative system of gender relations based on the principle “equality in difference”, tendency of equal rights and opportunities for self-realization of young men and women as unique subjects of socio-historical event. On the background of “total social transformation” girl-students often express liberal installations, support more equitable devision of family roles, look for equal opportunities for self-realization. These tendencies allow to increase subjective potential, identify psychological prospects for future life creativity of young women as a way to overcome usual stereotypes, that demonstrates the need of the development and implementation of gender specific ideological system of knowledge and practices, relevant to psychological principles of parity and self realization of sexes. Prospects of further study on gender social construction among students, ways of egalitarian formation of personality are outlined.

Highlights

Gender democracy is important, because of the international recognition, and for the internal dynamic of our country, the implementation of basic social programs which improve the quality of life for two socio-demographic groups-men and84 Ïñèõîëîã3÷íå êîíñóëüòóâàííÿ 3 ïñèõîòåðàï3ÿ, òîì 2, âèïóñê 6, 2016 women, the deprivation of inequality between this sexes and the development of partnership between them as an expression of social justice, the effective mechanisms of protection from the discrimination and so on. the historical experience proves that it is inefficient to solve the problems of human existence, human or national security using only power, scientific or technological methods without the changes in the social consciousness and culture
The young age is connected with gender self-determination, establishing of the behaviour fitting the gender role, and stable image of the “I” of men/women
The findings show that while there are many similarities in self-views of young men and women, men is more oriented on traditional male values, whereas women maintain values of both traditional and egalitarian nature

Summary

Introduction

The historical experience proves that it is inefficient to solve the problems of human existence, human or national security using only power, scientific or technological methods without the changes in the social consciousness and culture. Such changes are possible only through implementation into the consciousness of people and culture a particular system of values and value orientations as a humanitarian component of social life security. The study of person’s gender identity formation in the ontogenesis is promoted by a social need to reveal the social and psychological factors of youths’ gender culture formation, the necessity to study the inner mechanisms of person’s identification with certain patterns of gender role behavior as well as social life democratization and egalitarian values formation.

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Conclusion