8.1 The Social Construction of Gender and Sex

LO 8.1: Describe how gender, sex, and sexuality are socially constructed.

Gender, sex, and sexuality are socially constructed (see Chapter 1). This means that culture decides the social or biological criteria used to assign a person to a gender, sex, or sexuality category (see Chapter 5). Furthermore, culture influences the norms and expectations of each category. For instance, boys are expected to be tough. Gender, sex, and sexuality are features of individuals but, at the macro level, are structural.

Photo 8.2.

The Toys Given to Children Socialize Them Into the Norms Associated With Their Gender

Gender stereotype toys [Photograph]. estefaniavizcaino via Canva Pro.