HSP3U
SOCIAL SCIENCE INQUIRY- GENDER IDENTITY-NATURE VS. NURTURE
Your task is to undertake a social science inquiry to investigate how humans acquire their gender identities. In other words,
you will seek to discover when and how we learn what it means to “act like a man” or “be ladylike”.
You will follow the social science inquiry model to explore this issue. The first two steps are already done for you. Just pick
one of the two hypotheses. You will begin the inquiry at the third step, Gathering Data and work towards answering the research
question. You will then Analyze Data and Draw Conclusions. Finally, you will discuss your findings in a well written report.
FORMULATING QUESTION-The question you will be attempting to answer is:
When and how do boys and girls learn gender roles?
GENERATING HYPOTHESIS-The hypothesis you will be using is:
The gender roles that typically define males and females are the result of nurture, not nature. OR – The gender roles that
typically define males and females are the result of nature, not nurture.
►GATHERING DATA
First, you will attempt to determine how early in a person’s life the teaching/learning of gender roles begins. In order to
help answer this question, you will visit a store (not online) which sells baby/infant clothes and toys.
Ask yourself these questions:
 What are the main trends for clothes/toys intended for boys? What are those for girls?
 Are these trends visible in items for newborns? If not, when do the differences begin to become apparent? (what age)
Next, you will look at the effect that the media has on teaching people gender roles. Specifically, you will investigate how gender
roles are expressed in advertisements, television, and music. It is important that you analyze types of media that you are
UNFAMILIAR with, to avoid bias.
ADVERTISEMENTS
Check as many different kinds of advertisements (print, television, internet) as possible and ask yourself the following questions:
 Is the major character in the ad male, female, or are they both included?
 What product(s) is the ad selling?
 Who is the target audience?
 What activity is illustrated in the ad?
 What is the individual in the ad wearing?
 Is the individual portrayed in the ad given an active or passive role?
 What is the message of the ad?
 What gender roles are being represented? Are these stereotypical gender roles?
TELEVISION
Try to watch as many different TV shows as possible in the next few days. As you watch, ask yourself the following questions:
 Is the leading character male or female?
 The number of male____ female____ support characters.
 What are the occupations of the lead characters?
 Who solves the problems?
 Who shows caring emotion?
 Who runs the errands?
 Are there any role models? Why are they considered role models?
 What gender roles are being represented? Are these stereotypical gender roles?
MUSIC
Sample several different genres of music over the next few days. Watch music videos and listen to the lyrics. Pick genres of music
you do not normally listen to. David Bowie is a great choice! I am sick of analyses of Drake lyrics.
 List some of the terms/characteristics used to describe/portray men and women.
 Who are some famous female/male vocalists? What qualities do they display? How are they similar/different?
CIVVIES DAY / TIME WITH FRIENDS
Critically identify and evaluate how teens your age continue to display their gender identities through behaviour, and dress.



How does a teenage girl /boy behave?
How do they dress when not in the Roch uniform?
Is their dress and behaviour influenced by popular culture as well as gender identity?
►ANALYZING DATA & DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
Once you have collected enough raw data you will carefully analyze it then draw your conclusions.
 When does the process of socialization begin to take place?
 Is one source more influential than others in this process?
 Are there any trends that appear?
 Is one’s gender identity challenged? If so, at what age?
►PRESENTING YOUR FINDINGS
The final step in this assignment is to present your findings.
Your report will consist of:
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An Introduction
A summary of your research (how you gathered data)
Conclusions-Answer the research question:
When and how do boys and girls learn gender roles?
Guiding Questions:
How early do children learn gender roles?
Who is responsible for teaching gender roles?
How does this happen?

A Conclusion
Specifications:
Minimum 3 pages in length – that is BARE work. And I mean bare = minimal.
Must be word processed
11-size font in Calibri
Do not adjust margins
GENDER IDENTITY ASSIGNMENT-RUBRIC
CRITERIA
Quality of
Information
KNOWLEDGE
Organization
COMMUNICATION
Analysis of
Evidence
THINKING
Writing Mechanics
APPLICATION
LEVEL 1
5-5.9
-Displays limited
amount
of the content
required
-Limited amount of
research, detail,
examples.
-Content is presented
in a sequence that
demonstrates limited
planning and sense
of purpose.
-Ideas and
information are
presented with
limited effectiveness.
LEVEL 2
6-6.9
-Displays some of the
content required.
-Some evidence of
research, detail,
examples
LEVEL 3
7-7.9
-Displays considerable
amount
of the content required.
-Considerable research,
detail,
and examples.
LEVEL 4
8-10
-Contains all of the
content required.
-Thorough research,
detail, and examples.
-Content is presented
in a sequence that
demonstrates some
planning and sense
of purpose.
-Ideas and
information are
presented with
some effectiveness.
-Content is presented in
a sequence that
demonstrates
considerable planning
and sense of purpose.
-Ideas and information
are presented with
considerable
effectiveness.
-Content is presented
in a sequence that
demonstrates excellent
planning and sense of
purpose.
-Ideas and information
are presented with
a high degree of
effectiveness.
-Limited focus on
topic.
-Limited explanation
or analysis of
relationships.
-Some focus on topic.
-Explanation or
analysis of
relationships shows
some logic and
insight.
-There are several
minor errors or
omissions.
-Some mechanical
errors.
-Considerably effective
in focusing on topic.
-Explanation or analysis
of relationships shows
considerable logic and
insight.
-There are only a few
minor errors or
omissions.
-Some mechanical
errors.
-Highly effective in
focusing on topic.
-Analysis of
relationships shows
high degree of logic and
insight.
-There are practically
no errors or omissions.
-Mechanical error free.
-There are several
major errors or
omissions.
-Numerous
mechanical errors.
GRADE
/30
/25
/30
/15