Journal #4 Gender Identity Timeline

Due Sunday, February 8, 2015th @ 10:00 pm.

Submitted through Bb9

Purpose: To personally explore your current gender identity through

your past gender expression.

Steps:
1.

Page 2 of this document contains a vertical time line. Enter your

date of birth (YEAR only) on the first line.

2. Write the approximate year along the timeline with short phrases
or descriptions that represent important or significant periods of
gender expression in your life.
a. As an infant and/or toddler (birth to 4 years old), what were
your favorite colors, toys, characters, music, and activities?
Who did you most emulate or model yourself after (parent,
sibling, relative etc.)?
b. As a school aged child (5 to 10 years old) did this change?
Do you recall at any age during this time period that you
were explicitly told or reminded what was appropriate for
your sex (female/male)? What were your favorite colors,
toys, characters, music, activities? What were popular
clothes and items that you can remember for your sex
(female/male)? Who did you most emulate or model yourself
after (parent, sibling, relative etc.)?
c. As a teenager (13 to 17 years old) did this change? Do you
recall at any age during this time period being explicitly or
implicitly reminded what was appropriate for your sex
(female/male)? How did your expression of gender change as
you entered the expectations of heterosexual romantic
relationships (dating, significant others, crushes,
attractiveness, etc.?)
d. Currently as a young adult (18 to 24 years old) what are your
favorite colors, celebrities, music, activities, or career
interests? Can you recall the most recent time someone
explicitly or implicitly reminded you what was appropriate for
your sex or sexuality? Have your expression of gender
changed as you entered the expectations of heterosexual

romantic relationships (dating, engagement, marriage and

children)?
3.

Write a short reflection paper (2-3 paragraphs minimum). Reflect

on your gender expression timeline and note how, if at all, this
has shaped your gender identity as you see it today. Discuss
instances in which you felt you were rewarded and punished for
acting in/out of societal standards for your socially assigned
gender (female= feminine or male=masculine). How, if at all, do
societal expectations of heterosexuality connect to your gender
expression and gender identity?

______________________________ Lifeline
(Your Full Name)

Birth: (Write Here)

February 2014