How does gender identity relate to self-concept?

Gender identity plays a significant role in shaping an individual's self-concept, particularly during early childhood when children are forming their understanding of who they are in relation to their gender. The way adults treat children can reinforce traditional gender roles and expectations, which in turn influences how children perceive themselves and their identities.

For example, if adults consistently engage with boys and girls in ways that emphasize stereotypes—such as promoting assertiveness in boys and nurturing behavior in girls—children may internalize these messages and adopt behaviors and self-perceptions that align with societal expectations. This treatment can significantly impact their confidence, interests, and the way they see themselves in the world, directly interweaving with their self-concept.

While factors such as academic performance, social media interactions, and peer relationships can all contribute to self-concept, they do not fundamentally form the basis of gender identity in the same foundational way that adult interactions do. Such treatment helps establish early notions of gender that children carry forward as they grow, which underscores the importance of fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that acknowledges all expressions of gender.