can you tell the difference between boy & girl babies? [View All]

[Hannah Bell]

Can You Tell The Difference Between Boys and Girls?

My students take the following test at the beginning of our genetics and reproduction unit.It's a fun way to introduce the subject and tie it into bigger social issues.

Test your gender IQ. Take the Baby X Test below.

Directions

Get out some scratch paper and record the number of the image
Record your answer (male or female)
Answers are given at the end of the test

http://modeducation.blogspot.com/2010/12/are-girls-and-boys-really-all-that.html


60% here.

Analysis

Most people score somewhere near 50% on similar tests. The reason is that babies have not yet developed any secondary sexual characteristics (e.g., facial hair, breasts) and, without any gender-identifying cues (e.g., pink or blue clothing; bows or ribbons), a baby’s gender is not obvious (without taking of the diaper, of course).

Yet babies start to pick up gender cues almost immediately. Adults often treat babies differently depending on their gender (e.g., tone of voice, types of play).

The babies observe their surroundings, how other children and grown ups dress and behave, advertisements, television. Our assumptions and prejudices influence how our children develop their own gender identities, but so does their environment and society .