Gender is the socio-psychological characterization of being male or female. Gender identity is the feeling of being identified as one of these genders and is usually established before the age of three. Gender role describes society's expectations of how a male or female should behave based on their sex. Biology is the natural factor for the differential development of gender, and biologically a person with 46 XY chromosomes in the cells and gonads of the testicles would be a male, and a person with 46 XX chromosomes in the cells and gonads of the ovaries would be a female. Additionally, hormones such as testosterone and estrogen and evolution offer some insight into psychological differences between the sexes (Santrock, 2009). However, there is growing evidence that gender roles and stereotypes are taught from childhood, and studies highlight that teaching gender roles at an early age greatly influences a child's identity with respect to his or her gender and gender. opposite sex. Through parents' selection of toys, children learn what is appropriate and inappropriate for their gender (Wood, Desmarais & Gugula, 2002). Although boys have a rigid set of rules and expectations regarding their role in society, girls' roles are not as consistent. This factor causes gender conflict among girls and causes problems with boys because they are very limited in what they can do (O'Brien, Peyton, Mistry, Hruda, Jacobs, Caldera, Huston & Roy, 2000). These roles and expectations are taught not only by parents but also through children's books and media. One of the biggest problems with teaching gender roles too early is that children develop the concept of gender stereotypes. Gender stereotypes are culturally defined, which usually dictates that men are... the center of the paper.... Galligan, S., Barnett, R., Brennan, M. & Israel, G. (2010) . The effects of gender role conflict on the resilience of adolescent and emerging adult males. Journal of Men's Studies, 18(1), 3-21. Gooden, A. & Gooden, M. (2001). Gender representation in noteworthy children's picture books: 1995-199. Sex Roles, 45(1/2), 89-101.O'Brien, M., Peyton, V., Mistry, R., Hruda, L., Jacobs, A, Caldera, Y., Huston, A. & Roy, C. (2000). Gender role cognition in three-year-old boys and girls. Sex Roles, 42(11/12), 1007-25.Tepper, C. & Cassidy, K. (1999). Gender differences in emotional language in children's picture books. Sex Roles, 40(3/4), 265-80.Wood, E., Desmarais, S. & Gagula S. (2002). The impact of parental experience on children's gender-stereotypical play. Sex Roles, 47(1/2), 39-49.Santrock, J. W. (2009). Development across the lifespan. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.