Family+Diversity,+Gender+&+Families

__**Parental Socialization**__ The minute children are born they immediately learn new ways to fit into the world. They learn that crying will more than likely get them fed or attract someone that will give them attention. As they continue to learn and grow, researchers have argued that gender roles are learned through socialization; which is the process by which we learn the ways of a given society or social group so that we can function within it. (Cherlin,88). There are many behaviors that children experience through their peers, parents, role models or even the media. As they experience these behaviors they soon learn which ones are acceptable and which ones are not, by either being rewarded or punished. For example, in our society if a young boy is playing with barbies they are usually taken away and replaced with a truck or tractor. This demonstrates to the boy that his behavior of playing with barbies is not acceptable.

It is important that parents are aware of the parental socialization concept so that they realize how much of an impact their actions have on children. It can help parents to also realize that a feedback loop can be created in which siblings predispotions may make parents respond differently to each of them (Cherlin,89). It is not only important for parents to understand the socialization concept but professionals as well. Understanding the concept of parental socialization can help professionals to not discriminate when working with different individuals. If the professional was to work with a child from a same-sex parent family, they may have a better understanding as to why the child behaves the way they do. The professional may also be able to relate to the parents in an effective way by letting them know how their behaviors are affecting the child.

Cherlin, Andrew. (2008). //Public and Private Families: An Introduction.// New York, NY: McGraw-Hill

**__The Berdaches​__**
The Berdaches were found among Native American cultures. A Berdache acted like, dressed like and took on responsibilities of the opposite sex. Men were found more often to take on the role of a woman than a woman was to take on the role of a man. Women who were Berdaches were normally found in societies that were not heavily dominated by men. Being a Berdache was acceptable in these societies and there were 2 ways to become a Berdache; one way was showing the characteristics of a Berdache during childhood, and the other was when men and women experienced spiritual visions during adolescence which they thought as symbols to become a Berdache. These people were gifted at both sexes’ tasks and were thought to have had supernatural powers.

This topic definitely blurs the line of distinguishing a male and a female and what is expected of them. The brain appears to form a gender identity in response to both biological and social cues (Cherlin 83). It is important that professionals know how to distinguish sex from gender so that they can inform children and parents of the differences. It is also important that a professional knows about the culture and what is expected socially of male and female roles. Knowledge of sex and gender can make it easier for children to develop positively and create better peer to peer interactions.

Cherlin, Andrew. (2008). //Public and Private Families: An Introduction.// New York, NY: McGraw-Hill

=Socially Constructed: Race, Ethnicity, Class and Gender= What comes to mind when you hear the word “socialization”, if you are like most, it is not a true definition. Socialization is the purposeful distribution of power and privilege in order to benefit or suppress a specified individual or group. Three common ways this happens today, as it has in the past, are race, ethnicity, class and gender. Although many believe that these are physically constructed differences, it is becoming more and more seen in the professional world as socially constructed differences, differences constructed by those who could benefit from their existence. For example, race was constructed by those who would benefit from the idea that one is superior to another, as it was in days of slavery and before that, in the time of Africa’s settlement. For years there have been scientific studies trying to prove the difference between races, in which there has yet to be one single defined trait in which any one race always has, or that no other race sometimes has. There is virtually no genetic evidence of race, any one person actually has a high chance of having more genetically in common of a person of another race than a person of the same race. This scientific research only proves what others have tried to prove for years, that the differences between ethnicities and races are not real, rather “all in our heads”. To learn more, watch Discovery Channel’s “Race if Fiction” at http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/understanding-shorts-race-is-fiction.html

Understanding social construction is important to persons working with families and children because they must know why not to conform to, or be influenced by the misconceptions and common social stereotypes of people different from themselves. If we do not understand that there is no proof to the reasoning behind these biases and conceptions, we are at greater risk for believing that stereotypes and differences exists and are true. Although we can see that color of skin varies, or that hair texture, face shape and height varies between the socially constructed races, there is absolutely no link between a race and their physical or mental abilities. No matter what your career choice or future family will be, this is vital information to have, to keep from conforming to socially constructed differences we believe are true.

Cherlin, Andrew. (2008). //Public and Private Families: An Introduction.// New York, NY: McGraw-Hill (page 87 and 88)