Sex Dertermination

The new life begins with the combination of a male sex cell and female sex cell. The development of each individual begins when a sperm cell from the male penetrates the wall of an ovum, or egg from the mother. These sex cells are developed in the reproductive organs. For example, the male sex cells are produced in the male gonads, the testes, while the female's sex cells are produced in the female gonads, the ovaries. Development begins at conception. At the moment that the tiny Tadpole shaped sperm penetrates the wall of the ovum, it releases 23 minute particles called chromosomes. At approximately the same time, the nucleus, the inner core of the ovum, breaks up, releasing 23 chromosomes of its own, so that the new individual begins life with 46 chromosomes. All the child's biological heritage from the father and mother is contained in these 23 pairs of chromosomes. Of these pairs, 22 are autosomes, possessed equally by males and females. The 23 pair, the sex chromosomes, differs in males and females. It is these chromosomes that determine a child's sex. A female will have two X chromosomes (XX), while a male has an X and Y chromosomes (XY). Male and female sex cells also differ in two important ways. First, in the mature ovum there are 23 matched chromosomes while in the mature spermatozoa there are 22 matched chromosomes and one unmatched chromosome which may be either an X or a Y chromosome. The X and Y chromosomes are the sex determination chromosomes. The mature chromosome ovum always contains an X chromosome. If it is fertilized by a Y-bearing spermatozoa, the offspring will be a boy. If it is fertilized by an X-bearing spermatozoa, the offspring will be a girl. Once the male and female cells have united, nothing can be done to change the sex of the newly formed individual. Whether this individual is male or female has a lifelong effect on the individual's patterns of behavior and personality. The question arises why the sex of an individual is important to lifelong development. The answer of this question consists of three points, viz. the following: i] Each year children come under increasing cultural pressure from parents, teachers, their peer group and society at large to develop attitudes and behavior patterns that are considered appropriate for members of their sex. Children who learn to behave in ways that are considered appropriate for their sex are assured of social acceptance. ii] Learning experiences are determined by the individual's sex. Children learn what is considered appropriate for members of their sex. A boy who learns to play girls games is called a sissy and girls who want to play boys games are called tomboy type girls. iii] Attitude of parents and other family members are also important to individuals During the early years, when the foundations of personality patterns are being laid, the children (if twins) must get equal share of the mother's attention. Where the mother gives more attention to one and not to the other, the latter may feel rejected and thus develop a personality which may be negative. Recent studies show that the traditional preference for a boy, especially for the first born, still persists which is so strong that the attitude of parents and family members are affected and in the process the developing infant.