The information gained throughout the semester, both through text and visual means, vividly highlighted the importance of knowing how one's gender is identified and developed type. Basically, what you need to know before reading this analysis of gender development is that gender identity refers to “your sense of self as male, female, or transgender” (American Psychological Association, 2006). When one's gender identity and biological sex are not congruent, the individual may identify as transsexual or as another transgender category (see Gainor, 2000). Example, Jennifer in the book She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders, which took us through the struggle of living a transgender life from start to finish. Furthermore, the formation of gender identity is influenced by social factors, such as family, friends, environment, etc. For example, fathers tend to be more involved when their children engage in gender-appropriate activities such as playing baseball or soccer rather than wanting to become a dancer or cheerleader. As regards the development of gender identity, it is a more complex issue to address, since one must be concerned with all aspects of the person's life, starting even before their birth (Swaab, 2004), up to a point in their life in which they are settled and satisfied with their identity. The American Psychological Association states that although development is very fluid among young children, it is usually thought to form between the ages of 3 and 6, however many transgender individuals are unable to embrace their true gender identity if not much later in life, largely due to social stigma associated with these identities. Studies conducted by Kohlberg also indicate that children develop a gender identity...... middle of paper....... 2014. Swaab, Df. “Sexual differentiation of the human brain: relevance to gender identity, transsexualism, and sexual orientation.” Gynecological Endocrinology 19.6 (2004): 301-312. Inform Healthcare. Network. 7 April 2014.Pinquart, Martin and Silvia Sörensen. “Influences of socioeconomic status, social network, and competence on subjective well-being in old age: a meta-analysis..” Psychology and Aging 15.2 (2000): 187-224. American Psychological Association. Network. April 8, 2014. Egan, Susan K. and David G. Perry. “Gender Identity: A Multidimensional Analysis with Implications for Psychosocial Adjustment..” Developmental Psychology 37.4 (2001): 451-463. Print.Boylan, Jennifer Finney. She is not there: a life of two sexes. New York: Broadway Books, 2003. Print.Gauntlett, David. Media, gender and identity: an introduction. London: Routledge, 2002. Print.