Final answer:
The notion that language shapes children's organization of their world by gender aligns with gender schema theory within social constructivism. Language transmits societal gender roles and expectations, reinforcing these concepts through everyday interactions and socialization in various settings such as family, school, and media exposures.
Step-by-step explanation:
The idea that language forces children age 2 and older to begin organizing their worlds on the basis of gender reflects a perspective most consistent with social constructivist theories, particularly gender schema theory. This theory posits that children actively construct their own cognitive representations or schemas about gender by observing and imitating the gender-linked behaviors prevalent within their culture, and language is a key component in this process. Gender schemas are used to organize and guide an individual's understanding of gender, including knowledge, beliefs, and expectations about what it means to be male or female.
As children grow and interact with their environment, they receive signals from parents, peers, and media about the roles traditionally associated with men and women. For instance, children learn gender-specific behaviors through the reinforcement they get when they engage in play that aligns with societal expectations, such as boys playing with trucks and girls with dolls. These roles are further reinforced in schools and other social settings, contributing to the internalization of gender norms.
From a young age, children are therefore submerged in an ongoing process of socialization that deeply embeds gender roles into their understanding of the world, with language acting as a critical medium transmitting expectations about gender. For instance, gendered language and pronouns can signify different roles or behaviors expected from boys and girls. Moreover, subtle differences in the way language is used around young boys and girls can contribute to their self-concept and the way they perceive others in relation to gender.