Kohlberg's theory

• Kohlberg's theory was the first cognitive explanation of gender which suggests that a child understanding of gender develops in 3 stages
• Kohlberg's first stage is gender identity
• Gender Identity is when the child recognises that they are a boy/girl and possesses the ability to label others
• Gender Identity lasts from the ages of 2-3 years
• Kohlberg's second stage is gender stability
• Gender Stability is when the child understands that their own gender is fixed and they will be male or female when they are older, but not in other people or situations
• Gender Stability occurs at around 4 years
• Kohlberg's third stage is gender constancy
• Gender Constancy is when the child realises that gender remains the same over time and situations, start to identify with people of their own gender and start to behave in gender-appropriate ways
• Gender Constancy occurs at around 6/7 years
• Kohlberg's theory is descriptive rather than explanative
• Kohlberg's theory is limited as children may reach stages earlier but are limited by language ability so are unable to verbalise it
• Kohlberg's theory is limited as there may be different degrees of gender constancy