Also, when children are first realizing the concept of different genders, they tend to harbor hostile feelings towards the parent of the same sex. This occurs at about age 4 or 5 and lasts until the child learns gender identification and learns to identify with that parent instead of harboring bitter feelings. This is known as the Oedipus complex in boys and the Electra complex in young girls. When this realization occurs, the child begins to understand that they are supposed to act and be interested in the same things that parent is, and is therefore more likely to act like that parent. This is also another reason that parents are so influential in a child s ideas of gender.
Many psychologists believe in a theory known as gender schema.
It goes on to state that children learn gender identity through culture and then this knowledge is used to look at the world through their gender lens. By looking through this gender lens, children learn to dress, talk and socialize like the gender they have identified with. Children then learn to compare themselves to their newfound concept of gender and adjust their behavior accordingly. For this reason one can see the reason why children are more prone to accepting toys, games, ideals, etc., that are related to their gender. This theory can be seen in children s artistic drawings.