This is what we learn by how our environment is structured. These are the patterns that many of us see. There is nothing biological that makes these patterns the way things have to be. Boy babies don't inherently look better in blue and like heavy machinery play toys while girls need dresses with pink ruffles and lace and play with dolls. It is not biological that part of the gender role for men often is to initiate relationships and pay for the dates nor is it for women to be the primary caretakers of children.
Cultural structures affect behavior patterns because most people follow norms prescribed by society.
Following these behavior patterns influences people's life chances and observing patterns in life chances reinforces the ideas and values a society holds. Understanding this relationship among concepts should be useful as you continue through the course. One of the main criticisms of the Women's Movement was its White, middle-class, heterosexual focus. We need to keep a broader perspective in mind. Patricia Hill Collins has written much on the notion of intersecting inequalities and the impact each of these dimensions has on assuming one overall woman's experience.