Gender Permanence and the Genital Basis of Gender: Stages in the Development of Constancy of Gender Identity

Abstract

MCCONAGHY, MAUREEN J. Gender Permanence and the Genital Basis of Gender: Stages in the Development of Constancy of Gender Identity. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1979, 50, 1223-1226. Previous studies suggest, but do not demonstrate, the existence of 2 particular stages in the development of constancy of gender identity: understanding of gender permanence, followed by understanding of the genital basis of gender. This study, based on a sample of Swedish children, provides evidence that gender permanence and the genital basis of gender are distinct aspects of gender understanding, and confirms the suggested developmental progression.