In studying gender, sociologists are interested in gender role socialization. Gender socialization teaches the expected and accepted achieved cultural roles for males and females. Traditionally, in the United States little boys were socialized to be active, aggressive, tough, rational, daring and breadwinners. Girls were socialized to be sweet, emotional, intuitive, submissive and nurturing. Adults socialize, in both conscious and nonconscious ways, the approved roles of masculinity and femininity.
Parents are most influential in the development of gender roles in their children.
However, other adults, older siblings, mass media, and religious and educational institutions also exert important influence on gender role socialization. Gender roles are evident not only in people's work and behavior but in how we react to others. We socially construct our behavior so that male-female differences are defined and maintained. Traditional gender roles in the United States were brought here with the early settlers. Our dichotomized gender roles come from the Medieval Period in Europe.