Children’s gender-related development: The role of cultural visibility and acceptance of gender diversity

Research demonstrates that cisgender children identify and behave in a manner that is typical for their birth-assigned sex, whereas transgender/gender-diverse (TGD) children tend to exhibit identities and behaviours that mirror those of cisgender children of the opposite sex. As such, both cisgender and TGD children conceptualize and express gender in a binary manner (i.e., girl/boy). Yet, these findings and our current understanding of how children think about gender diversity stem almost entirely from studies in Western cultures where gender has traditionally been conceived as binary. To better understand the cultural plasticity in children’s gender-related development, it is important to also examine cultures such as the Istmo Zapotec of Oaxaca, Mexico, where gender-nonbinary categories have long been recognized and accepted. To this end, this project aims to assess children’s gender-related thinking (e.g., self-concepts, categorization, and stereotyping), and its relation to peer relations and parental attitudes towards gender diversity, in cultures that mainly conceive gender as binary (e.g., the UK) vs. non-binary (e.g., the Istmo Zapotec).

Supervisor's interests
My research largely focuses on understanding same-sex sexuality and transgender/gender-diverse identities from a cross-cultural, psychosocial, biodevelopmental, and evolutionary perspective. This research has been mainly conducted in Thailand and the Istmo region of Oaxaca, Mexico, where same-sex attracted individuals identify with culturally recognized non-binary gender categories. My research interests include the evolution and cross-cultural correlates of same-sex sexuality, intersexual mate competition, and the development of gender identities and gender-related thinking (e.g., gender categorization, and gender stereotyping). I am also interested in exploring the ways in which culture influences sex and gender differences in gendered behaviours/interests (e.g., masculinity and femininity) and in sexual behaviour, attitudes, and feelings.

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