In a genogram, circles typically represent which gender, and squares represent which gender?

• A. Circles represent females, and squares represent males.
• B. Circles represent males, and squares represent females.
• C. Circles represent generations, and squares represent individuals.
• D. Circles represent marital status, and squares represent employment.

Answer: (A)

In genograms, the shapes serve as a quick visual cue for gender: circles indicate females and squares indicate males. This convention helps you scan a family diagram and instantly identify who is female or male, while other lines show relationships and generations. The circle’s round shape mirrors female representation, whereas the square shape mirrors male representation, making the pairing easy to read across generations.

Options that swap the genders would mislead interpretation, and ideas that circles or squares denote generational level or employment/marital status move away from the standard use of shape as gender markers.