Gender, Race, And Sexual Orientation Development

Introduction

This refection paper focus on my own experiences related to gender, race, and sexual orientation development during my college years. My reflection will be grounded on three theories: Josselson’s theory of women id development, Ferdman and Gallegos Latino/Latina identity development, and Worthington et al.’s model of heterosexual identity development.

These theories offered me a unique opportunity to reflect and develop my own understanding of my gender identity, race identity, and my sexual orientation identity.

Gender Identity Development

Professor MaryBeth’s PowerPoint introduced me to couple gender identity developments, but one in particular caught my attention, Josselson’s Identity Theory. The readings about gender

Individuals in this orientation understand racial constructs and they are aware of subgroup background and culture and its relation to other Latinos subgroups. Wijeyesingh and Jackson describe that their Latino identity is fully integrated with other social identities (2001). A Latino-integrated individual feels comfortable with all types of Latinos. Latino identified is the second orientation and these individuals maintain a less rigid view of other groups. Their idea of race is uniquely Latino, which means that they do not accept the U.S. racial constructs. (Wijeyesingh & Jackson, 2001). The next orientation is the subgroup identified orientation. Here, Latinos see themselves in terms of their own national-origin subgroup, which constitute the focus of their racial identity (Wijeyesingh & Jackson, 2001). These individuals have strong identification with specific subgroup within the Latino races. The orientation Latino as “Others” individuals are not mindful of their Latino background, history, and culture; however, because of the mixed heritage they identify themselves as generic Latino (Wijeyesingh & Jackson). Undifferentiated orientation, Latinos prefer to identify themselves as “just people” (Wijeyesingh & Jackson, 2001). They usually claimed to be color-blind and that color is not important. They accept the dominant culture norms of our society without question. They prefer to view individuals as distinct from racial or ethnic identity. (Wijeyesingh & Jackson, 2001). Last but not least, White-identified Latinos is the orientation that considers their race White and reject the Latino identification. They assimilate themselves to a White culture and there are quite disconnected from other Latinos. Whiteness is the essential and primary element of their identity (Wijeyesingh & Jackson, 2001). I can see myself in this group because I have adopted a white racial identity and assumed the lifestyle as non-Latina. I