The Gender Debate: Contemporary and Ethical Issues in Psychology
The Gender Debate
Shawn Simmons
Grand Canyon University
Contemporary and Ethical Issues in Psychology
510
Michael Kellam
August 29, 2012
The Gender Debate
When a small boy puts on a girls clothing and wants to play with Barbie dolls the reaction might one of alarm. When a little girl refuses to play dress up or house parents may give up all hope of having grandchildren. The response to this type of behavior is to stop the child from engaging in the wrong gender type of play, and reinforce it with praise when they play a game that is gender specific. The reason that there are those that would try this method of action is because there are those that believe that gender identity is something that is learned. The purpose of this paper is to show that gender identity is something that is biological, by presenting debate statements that support this claim.
Statement 1: The brain can be wired for homosexuality
The human brain is one of the most complex organisms known to man. It is arguably one of the most important organs that compose the human body. Everything that we are, our memories, talents, fears, inside jokes and much more are all stored inside our mind. Our desires are no different, they are found there as well. According to Paul Fitzgerald, brain chemistry can determine how an individual sees people of the same and opposite gender (Fitzgerald, 2008). The specific chemicals are serotonin and norepinephrine. In this case having a significant amount serotonin with low levels of norepinephrine can cause an individual’s senses to be duller than that of an individual with baser levels. Fitzgerald points to this because of the effects of anti-depressants some of which are meant to raise the levels of norepinephrine are able to make a person senses feel sharper or more vivid. In monkeys and in humans the chemicals of a serotonin strong mind, indicate a strong alpha male personality. The purpose is to make most senses weaker in order for the alpha to be
Shawn Simmons
Grand Canyon University
Contemporary and Ethical Issues in Psychology
510
Michael Kellam
August 29, 2012
The Gender Debate
When a small boy puts on a girls clothing and wants to play with Barbie dolls the reaction might one of alarm. When a little girl refuses to play dress up or house parents may give up all hope of having grandchildren. The response to this type of behavior is to stop the child from engaging in the wrong gender type of play, and reinforce it with praise when they play a game that is gender specific. The reason that there are those that would try this method of action is because there are those that believe that gender identity is something that is learned. The purpose of this paper is to show that gender identity is something that is biological, by presenting debate statements that support this claim.
Statement 1: The brain can be wired for homosexuality
The human brain is one of the most complex organisms known to man. It is arguably one of the most important organs that compose the human body. Everything that we are, our memories, talents, fears, inside jokes and much more are all stored inside our mind. Our desires are no different, they are found there as well. According to Paul Fitzgerald, brain chemistry can determine how an individual sees people of the same and opposite gender (Fitzgerald, 2008). The specific chemicals are serotonin and norepinephrine. In this case having a significant amount serotonin with low levels of norepinephrine can cause an individual’s senses to be duller than that of an individual with baser levels. Fitzgerald points to this because of the effects of anti-depressants some of which are meant to raise the levels of norepinephrine are able to make a person senses feel sharper or more vivid. In monkeys and in humans the chemicals of a serotonin strong mind, indicate a strong alpha male personality. The purpose is to make most senses weaker in order for the alpha to be