Title: Gender and Socialization | Boundless Sociology
Headings: Gender and Socialization
Gender and Socialization
Gender Socialization
Key Points
Key Terms
The Social Construction of Gender
Key Points
Key Terms
Social Constructionism
Judith Butler and Gender Performativity
Gender Identity in Everyday Life
Key Points
Key Terms
Cisgender and Transgender
Causes of Confusion in Gender Identity
Gender Identities and Law
Gender Identities across Cultures
Gender Roles in the U.S.
Key Points
Key Terms
Gender and Social Role Theory
Gender Roles in the United States
Nuclear Family Models
Current Trends
The Cross-Cultural Perspective
Key Points
Key Terms
Gender Roles in Sweden
Gender Roles In Chile
Gender Roles in Japan
Childhood Socialization
Key Points
Key Terms
Adolescent Socialization
Key Points
Key Terms
Identity Development
Self-Concept
Sense of Identity
Self-Esteem
Relationships
Peers
Romance and Sexual Activity
Gender Differences in Social Interaction
Key Points
Key Terms
Gender Differences in Social Interaction
Communication and Gender Cultures
Communication Styles

Content: In other words, individuals are socialized into conceiving of their gender as either masculine (male) or feminine (female). Identities are therefore normatively constructed along this single parameter. However, some individuals do not feel that they fall into the gender binary and they choose to question or challenge the male-masculine / female-feminine binary. For example, individuals that identify as transgender feel that their gender identity does not match their biological sex. Individuals that identify as genderqueer challenge classifications of masculine and feminine, and may identify as somewhere other than male and female, in between male and female, a combination of male and female, or a third (or forth, or fifth, etc.) gender altogether. These identities demonstrate the fluidity of gender, which is so frequently thought to be biological and immutable. Gender fluidity also shows how gender norms are learned and either accepted or rejected by the socialized individual. The Social Construction of Gender
Social constructivists propose that there is no inherent truth to gender; it is constructed by social expectations and gender performance.