Question

Michelle is a doctor who has just delivered a newborn. She sees that the baby has a vagina, not a penis, and announces, "It's a girl!" Michelle's statement is about the new baby's a. gender identity b. sex chromosomes c. gender schemas d. biological sex

Short answer

d. Biological sex

Step-by-step solution

Define the given terms

Let's define each term to understand which one applies to Michelle's statement: a. Gender identity: It refers to a person's internal sense of their own gender, whether male, female, or something else. This is not visible through genital inspection. b. Sex chromosomes: These are the chromosomes, specifically the X and Y chromosomes, that determine an individual's sex (XX for females and XY for males). This cannot be determined by visual physical evidence alone. c. Gender schemas: The cognitive frameworks that help individuals to organize and interpret information based on their beliefs about male and female characteristics. It affects how people perceive and behave according to gender roles. d. Biological sex: It refers to the physical and genetic characteristics (including genitals, gonads, and sex chromosomes) that categorize a person as male or female. Unlike gender identity, biological sex can be determined visually at birth, based on external genitalia.

Determine the Most Applicable Term

Since Michelle has announced "It's a girl!" after seeing the baby's genital (vagina), her statement relates to the baby's biological sex, as she is not commenting on the baby's gender identity, chromosomes, or schemas. So, the correct answer is: d. Biological sex

Key concepts

Gender Identity

When we talk about gender identity, we're referring to an individual's deeply-held sense of being male, female, or something else, which may or may not align with the sex they were assigned at birth based on anatomical characteristics. It's how you perceive yourself and what you call yourself. One's gender identity can be the same as or different from their sex assigned at birth.

For example, a person may be assigned female at birth based on visible genitalia, but their gender identity could be male, non-binary, or any other identity that fits how they understand themselves.

It is important to recognize that gender identity is a personal, internal concept that is not necessarily visible to others and can only be truly known by the individual. Everyone has a gender identity, including you. The way we understand and express our gender identity can be influenced by our experiences, society, and our cultures.

Sex Chromosomes

The term sex chromosomes refers to a pair of chromosomes, X and Y, that determine an organism's sex. Humans have two sex chromosomes, and the combination of these chromosomes leads to the development of sex-specific characteristics.

What Are Sex Chromosomes?

Humans typically have 46 chromosomes in total, with the last pair being the sex chromosomes. An individual with two X chromosomes (XX) usually develops female sexual characteristics, while an individual with one X and one Y chromosome (XY) typically develops male sexual characteristics.

It's important to note that these genetic factors are different from gender identity. While sex chromosomes play a crucial role in determining biological sex, they do not determine a person's gender identity. There are also cases where individuals may have variations, such as Klinefelter syndrome (XXY), Turner syndrome (X), and other intersex variations that do not fit the typical XX or XY classification.

Gender Schemas

Gender schemas are cognitive structures that dictate how individuals understand gender roles and attributes in their culture. They are like mental maps that guide how we think about ourselves and others in the context of gender.

For instance, a gender schema might include the belief that girls are more nurturing and boys are more aggressive. These schemas are learned from a young age and can shape our preferences, behaviors, and understandings about what is appropriate for people based on their perceived gender.

Gender schemas influence personal interactions and expectations, and they often reinforce gender stereotypes. They can affect everything from the toys children feel are appropriate for them to play with, to the careers adults feel they should pursue. It's valuable to be aware that gender schemas are culturally constructed and can evolve over time as society’s views on gender change.