Gender Identity

Gender is always a good example of the nature/nurture debate. Is one inherently born with a sense of gender or is it developed throughout their childhood by what behaviors their parents reinforce? It is most likely a combination of the two but of course there will always be gray areas. There can be multiple combinations between gender identities and gender roles. A woman may see her self as a woman (gender identity) but may enjoy taking on more masculine roles like teaching her son how to play baseball or being the main breadwinner in the family (gender role). Of course it could go the other way too with a man taking on female gender roles. One piece of evidence that displays the nature influence on gender, is that very young children, as young as one year, are more likely to play with toys that are gender specific even if they've already been exposed to gender neutral toys. For instance, boys are more drawn to balls, firetrucks, and play weapons, while girls are more susceptible to kitchen toys or dolls. These toy preferences display the biological predisposition in boys to be more aggressive and for girls to be more nurturing.
Reverting back to gender identities, what happens when someone is biologically born one gender but identifies with the opposite one? This makes us think, are there only two genders or are there more? An interesting example of a "third" gender is the fa'afafine of Samoan culture. Fa'afafine are born biologically male but they feel a strong gender identification with females. They are also attracted to adult masculine males but they do not identify themselves as a "gay" culture. There is no "gay men" culture in Samoa, only fa'afafine. In Samoan culture, a sexual relationship between a man and a fa'afafine is not seen as homosexual since the fa'afafine are regarded as their own gender. As far as gender roles, fa'afafine, which means "in the manner of a woman", usually take on an aunt or uncle like role for their brother's or sister's children. Here is a video of an interview with a fa'afafine who personally explains what life is like for her (or him?).