Gender identity—identifying oneself as male or female—is a critical component of an individual's life-span development. Misconceptions and stereotypes abound with regard to gender, and you may bring personal misconceptions and stereotypes to your work with clients. As you read the resources this week, what concepts seem especially relevant to you as a social worker? Are you able to identify any personal misunderstandings about the formation of gender identity? What strategies might you use to apply your new understanding to social work practice? By Day 3 Post a Discussion that includes the following: 1. A new understanding you have gained in the resources about gender identity 2. An explanation of how individuals' gender identity affects their development through young and middle adulthood 3. A strategy you might use to apply your understanding of gender identity development to social work practice Required Readings Brewster, M. E., & Moradi, B. (2010). Personal, relational and community aspects of bisexual identity in emerging, early and middle adult cohorts. Journal of Bisexuality, 10(4), 404–428. Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. Burri, A., Cherkas, L., Spector, T., & Rahman, Q. (2011). Genetic and environmental influences on female sexual orientation, childhood gender typicality and adult gender identity. PloS ONE, 6(7), 1–8 Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. Maylor, E. A., Reimers, S., Choi, J., Collaer, M. L., Peters, M., & Silverman, I. (2007). Gender and sexual orientationdifferences in cognition across adulthood: Age is kinder to women than to men regardless of sexualorientation. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 36(2), 235–249. Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. Nuttbrock, L. A., Bockting, W. O., Hwahng, S., Rosenblum, A., Mason, M., Macri, M., & Becker, J. (2009). Gender identity affirmation among male-to-female transgender persons: A life course analysis across types of relationships and cultural/lifestyle factors. Sexual & Relationship Therapy, 24(2), 108–125 Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. Pleak, R. R. (2009). Formation of transgender Identities in adolescence. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health , 13(4), 282–291. Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. Rosario, M., Schrimshaw, E. W., & Hunter, J. (2011). Different patterns of sexual identity development over time: Implications for the psychological adjustment of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths. Journal of Sex Research, 48(1), 3–15. Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. Rose, S. M., & Zand, D. (2002). Lesbian dating and courtship from young adulthood to midlife. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 6(1), 85–109. Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases. Optional Resources Use the link below to access the MSW home page, which provides resources for your social work program. MSW home page ...

1. Gender identity—identifying oneself as male or female—is a
critical component of an individual's life-span development.
Misconceptions and stereotypes abound with regard to gender,
and you may bring personal misconceptions and stereotypes to
your work with clients.
As you read the resources this week, what concepts seem
especially relevant to you as a social worker? Are you able to
identify any personal misunderstandings about the formation of
gender identity? What strategies might you use to apply your
new understanding to social work practice?
By Day 3
Post
a Discussion that includes the following:
1. A new understanding you have gained in the resources about
gender identity
2. An explanation of how individuals' gender identity affects
their development through young and middle adulthood
3. A strategy you might use to apply your understanding of
gender identity development to social work practice

2. Required Readings
Brewster, M. E., & Moradi, B. (2010). Personal, relational and
community aspects of bisexual identity in emerging, early and
middle adult cohorts.
Journal of Bisexuality,
10(4), 404–428.
Note:
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Burri, A., Cherkas, L., Spector, T., & Rahman, Q. (2011).
Genetic and environmental influences on female sexual
orientation, childhood gender typicality and adult gender
identity.
PloS ONE,
6(7), 1–8
Note:
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Maylor, E. A., Reimers, S., Choi, J., Collaer, M. L., Peters, M.,
& Silverman, I. (2007). Gender and sexual
orientationdifferences in cognition across adulthood: Age is
kinder to women than to men regardless of sexualorientation.
Archives of Sexual Behavior,
36(2), 235–249.
Note:
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Nuttbrock, L. A., Bockting, W. O., Hwahng, S., Rosenblum, A.,
Mason, M., Macri, M., & Becker, J. (2009). Gender identity
affirmation among male-to-female transgender persons: A life
course analysis across types of relationships and

3. cultural/lifestyle factors.
Sexual & Relationship Therapy,
24(2), 108–125
Note:
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Pleak, R. R. (2009). Formation of transgender Identities in
adolescence.
Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health
, 13(4), 282–291.
Note:
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Rosario, M., Schrimshaw, E. W., & Hunter, J. (2011). Different
patterns of sexual identity development over time: Implications
for the psychological adjustment of lesbian, gay, and bisexual
youths.
Journal of Sex Research,
48(1), 3–15.
Note:
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Rose, S. M., & Zand, D. (2002). Lesbian dating and courtship
from young adulthood to midlife.
Journal of Lesbian Studies,
6(1), 85–109.
Note:
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
Optional Resources
Use the link below to access the MSW home page, which

4. provides resources for your social work program.
MSW home page