Gender Issues

BIOLOGICAL:

Our sex is determined at the moment of inception-when a female egg cell unites with a male sperm cell. Every female egg has an X sex chromosome, but a sperm may have either an X or Y sex chromosome. The male sperm determines the sex of the baby. The male's X or Y chromosome determines a baby's SEX. X + X = girl X + Y = boy

SOCIETAL:

Who hasn't seen a baby dressed in pink and lace and commented "What a pretty baby!" or "Isn't she sweet?" If the baby were dressed in a blue sailor suit, the comments would likely change to "What a handsome boy!" or "Isn't he strong and healthy!" Research shows no real differences between boys' and girls' abilities and inherited intelligence. Yet from an early age, children are shaped by gender issues. Influences such as society, upbringing, and gender roles play a major role in parents' aspirations for their children, and in the hopes and dreams that children have for themselves.

PUBERTY

Puberty is the biological process that allows us to sexually mature so that we can reproduce.

Boys grow for a longer period of time. By 19, the average boy is about 6 inches taller than the average girl. Everyone goes through puberty, and each person deals with it differently. Addressing this issue can sometimes be difficult or embarrassing. We think this lesson offers the best combination of ways to talk about puberty- an opportunity for students to talk with their parents and then a light-hearted approach to showing their findings.

Five physical occurrences are associated with puberty:

Growth accelerates - sometimes know as a "growth spurt."

Body compositions begin to change - girls develop breasts, acquire hips and have a higher ratio of fat to muscles; boys develop wider shoulders, a more muscular neck and lose fat.

Circulatory and respiratory systems begin to change.

Primary sex characteristics develop-enlargement, maturity and reproduction of male testes and female ovaries.

Secondary sex characteristics develop-breasts and testes/penis grow, pubic and underarm hair thickens, and the larynx grows, sometimes resulting in a voice change. Females generally experience these changes before males.