Social explanations

• Suggests that GD is learned through socialisation
• Social construction - argues that gender identity does not reflect underlying biological differences between people and believes that these concepts are invented by societies
• For individuals with GD, the gender confusion results because society forces people to be a man or a woman - they must pick a side and act accordingly
• GD is not a pathological condition but a social phenomenon which arises when only 2 choices are forced upon people
• AO3 - not all cultures have two genders

  The fa’afafine of Samoa are biological males who adopt the traditional gender role of women and are known for their hard work in a domestic context and dedication to the family

  They are not considered gay as no such label exists in Samoa
• 5 million people in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh live as transgender. The Hijra in India are all now recognised as having legal identities on passports - third identity