ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that children acquire their individual and sexual identities through the learning process. Through this process, the child gradually begins to identify with the appropriate gender role and also develop his or her individual identity. Since there has been a major change in parenting roles and the family system over the last 2 decades, children may have problems related to the identification process. One must note that all major theories of sex-role development suggest that both males and females play a role in children's developing identity. Gilligan argues that all of the major theories explaining child development are problematic because they are created from a male perspective. In terms of the field of bibliotherapy, numerous books are now available that deal with problems related to individual and sexual identification, family change, and androgyny. Children through the socialization process acquire their individual and sexual identity.
