Gender

== Definition ==
Gender refers to socially constructed roles and behaviors that a society assigns to a man or woman.  Sex is the biological characteristics of a human, while their gender is just identification.  Gender is a spectrum of many different identities that a person may identify themselves as.    
== Overview ==
Western culture typically assigns a persons gender in line with their sex.  Those who identify their gender in correspondence with their sex, are known as cisgender. When a person is born into a sex that does not correspond with their gender identity, they are known as transgender.  For example, a person may be born as a female, but identify as a male.  Some may seek reassignment surgery to settle the tension between society viewing them as one gender but actually feeling like another gender. Genderfluid refers to a person who does not completely fit either construct for a male or female.  A gender fluid person can change from identifying as a boy or girl. No gender implies sexual orientation.
=== Gender Role Theory ===
This theory states that external behaviors and attitudes help boys and girls learn their assigned gender and the associated actions of each. For example, young girls learn to like playing with dolls and doing their hair because they are given Barbie dolls and fake hair styling tools as toys. Boys learn to be physical and tough by playing with muscular action figures and playing sports. Theses theorists propose the environment children grow up in is responsible for how they identify with a particular gender. Division of labor also helps distinguish gender roles for children as well as adults. Traditionally, women were expected to clean the house and cook while men worked all day. As women started to enter the work world, they were first limited to secretarial duties while men took care of the "dirty" jobs. The difference in work expectations led women to be considered weak and subservient while men were strong and powerful leaders. As history progressed these norms started to change, but there are still several trends that still exist to define gender. One example is using light blue or light pink decorations for baby showers when someone knows what the sex will be. In contrast, gender-neutral toys like male Barbie dolls are starting to be produced. Female superheroes have also gained a sudden rise in popularity. According to gender role theory, these social changes will cause children to behave less-specifically toward traditional gender traits.
== In Cultures ==
India recognizes a third gender known as hijra, which typically refers to transgender or transexual people.  It also includes people who identify as neither. Native people from North America in the past have also recognized more than one gender, such as Zuni, Lakota, and Mohave. Thailand is known for the popularity of transgender entertainment.  There are many transgender women who embrace their gender identity by performing sexual shows and dances.
== Citations ==
https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociology-textbook/gender-stratification-and-inequality-11/gender-and-socialization-86/gender-roles-in-the-u-s-498-7851/Category:Keyword
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