'Gender Identity' is the term utilized to refer to the specific tendency of someone towards a specific gender type. In the world, only two genders have been observed, those of the male gender and those of the female gender. In the natural world, derivatives upon each of these genders may be observed, but as for the scientific foundational basis for determination of gender, that is still dependent upon the division of special bodies between two specific dividing lines.
'Daddy' and 'father' are specifically utilized terms used as determinations to mark those pursuing male gender role identity. Lack of these figures in a male life during formative years may lead to confusion regarding male gender identity.
'Mommy' and 'mother' are specifically utilized terms used as determinations to mark those pursuing female gender role identity. Lack of these figures in a female life during formative years may lead to confusion regarding female gender identity.
'Masculinity' and 'femininity' are adjectives utilized to refer to the traits associated with one particular gender identity. Masculinity may include playing with trucks over playing with dolls for a little boy. If a girl makes such a choice, she is said to be displaying masculine tendencies. Children often make such gender identity choices based upon their identification with a same sex parent or lack thereof.
In this article, Phillips is setting out to show us that when we are born, every human identifies non-gender specifically but as we age and interact, first with our personal caregivers upon whom our model of behavior is patterned and then adapted by our socializations within our social environment. Girls appear to make the earliest identifiable gender identity choices, perhaps because they bond earlier and longer with a same sex parent caregiver. Boys are more likely to form their gender identity choices upon socializations within their social sphere.
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