The existence of multiple sexes has great implication for the way we conceptualise sex and gender as well as for the lived everyday experiences of 'sexed' persons. The following BBC documentary explores some of the above questions:
What is intersex? Are 'male' and 'female' the only sexes? What defines sex: genitals, hormones, chromosomes, something else? Can you be intersex without knowing it? Is the surgical alteration of ambiguous genitalia in infancy a form genital mutilation? What is it like to be a parent of an intersex child in a gender-binary focussed society? What are some of the experiences of intersex persons? The existence of multiple sexes has great implication for the way we conceptualise sex and gender as well as for the lived everyday experiences of 'sexed' persons. The following BBC documentary explores some of the above questions:
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Biologists and evolutionary psychologists have frequently proposed that the male strategy to get as much of one's genetic material into next the generation as possible has centred on men maximising their number of mates and minimizing their parental investment in their young. In relation to this strategy, proposed female strategies have often centred on women securing mates that will provide them with resources to raise their young. Traditional gender roles have often complied to this view of parenting in which mothers are primarily in charge of bringing up their children ("barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen") while fathers are responsible for providing an income for their family. Gender roles, however, are constantly in flux and fathers' involvement in the parenting of their children is on the rise. The following BBC documentary introduces some interesting research on the biological reactions fathers have to being a parent and the unique qualities that fathers bring to parenting. Some of these findings include:
These findings have interesting implications on how fatherhood is constructed and in understanding the important roles that fathers may play in their children's development (especially their early development). Adolescence is often seen as a turbulent time, especially from the perspective of parents. During the teenage years the individual goes through various social changes within their family, peer groups and culture as well as physically and emotionally. In the following video, Lisa Kudrow (yes, she was biology major!) interviews Abby Baird (a psychology professor at Vassar College in New York) about the teenage brain. Baird provides an interesting discussion about how the adolescent brain can be viewed as an adult brain in practice and how fluctuations in abilities such as decision making can be attributed to this practice. The discussion is aimed at the lay person but also deals with important - and often complex - neuropsycholology and may be a useful resource for parents, teacher and adolescents (among others) to better understand the biology underlying "typical" adolescent behaviour. Baird also makes some important points about applying with caution general findings to individuals (especially around gender) and how key it is for parents to understand their children's own idiosyncrasies. |
Jonathan's BlogI use this blog to post links to articles and videos that may relate to some of my services or interests. This content may also be useful for potential clients as well as other people interested in psychology and self development. Archives
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