Victoria Githenya
Societal expectations shape behavioral and psychological patterns regarding what it means to be either male or female. However, it is sex differentiation that helps to lay the foundation for gendered behavior in the future. Another critical period for gender socialization is puberty. The changes that occur during puberty are not only physical but also hormonal and psychological. This article also reviews pregnancy and postnatal period, menopause and andropause, and aging, and how these periods contribute to gendered behavior. The clinical implication is that there is need for mental health practitioners to adopt gender-sensitive approaches in treatment that are sensitive to the unique needs of each gender and offer holistic care.