Kohlberg outlined three stages of the development of gender identity in children. In the first stage, gender labeling, children identify others as male or female based on physical appearances such a clothing or hair style and do not recognize that gender is stable over time. Thus, as physical characteristics change (e.g., hair length), gender changes. In the second stage, gender stability, children recognize that gender is stable over time (e.g., boys will grow up to be daddies), however, there is still some confusion as to whether superficial appearance serves as a way of identifying gender. Finally, in the third stage, gender consistency, children fully understand the nature of gender as permanent across time and situation.