How and why do children become masculine or feminine? Because there is some ordained biological bipolar division of the world? Because others make them so through "socialization"? Or because the social structure requires them to "take up" identities as either male or female since no other identity is recognizable? Through listening to children themselves, this book explores what is happening - socially, emotionally and physically - as children "take themselves up" (assume identities) within the constraints of interactive (and narrative) structures. The book is directed towards students of gender studies and child development.