Gender

Gender is the range of social, psychological, cultural, and behavioral aspects of being a man (or boy), woman (or girl), or portraying a third gender. Although gender often corresponds to sex, a transgender person may identify with a gender other than their sex assigned at birth. Most cultures have a gender binary, in which gender is divided into two categories, and people are considered part of one or the other; those who are outside these groups may fall under the umbrella term non-binary.

The word gender has been used as a synonym for sex, and the balance between these usages has shifted over time. In the mid-20th century, a terminological distinction in modern English (known as the sex and gender distinction) between biological sex and gender began to develop in the academic areas of psychology, sociology, sexology, and feminism.

The social sciences have a branch devoted to gender studies. Other sciences, such as psychology, sociology, sexology, and neuroscience, are interested in the subject. The social sciences sometimes approach gender as a social construct, and gender studies particularly does, while research in the natural sciences investigates whether biological differences in females and males influence the development of gender in humans.

Etymology and usage

The word gender comes from old words meaning "kind" or "type". It started in Middle English and has roots in Latin. For much of history, gender was mainly used in grammar to describe words as masculine, feminine, or neuter.

Only in the mid-20th century did people begin using gender to talk about social roles connected to being male or female. Before this, the word was rarely used outside of grammar. Feminist thinkers in the 1970s helped make gender a common way to discuss social ideas about men and women, separate from biological differences. Today, gender can sometimes mean the same as sex, but it often refers to social expectations and roles.

Biological factors and views

Some behaviors related to being a boy or a girl are shaped before birth by hormones. For example, boys often enjoy more active play, which can be influenced by natural hormone levels. These hormones may also affect interests and actions during childhood.

Researchers study why some people feel they are a different gender than what was expected at birth. This can be linked to genes and the environment inside the womb. For instance, women with a condition that causes higher levels of certain hormones may prefer activities usually linked to boys. This shows how biology can influence our interests and behaviors.

Non-human animals

In studies with animals, the word "gender" usually refers to their biological sex. Experts say that only humans can truly think of themselves as boys or girls because this needs self-awareness and language. However, animals do show behaviors that can be linked to masculine or feminine roles, like certain play styles or social actions. Scientists have observed these patterns in animals such as rats and monkeys.

In 2023, a study found that how we think about animals, such as pandas, giraffes, polar bears, and cheetahs, can include ideas about their "gender" in communication and emotions.

Feminist theory

Feminist thinkers explore how biology and society work together to shape who we are. Some believe that our experiences and surroundings play a big role in developing our abilities and behaviors.

Important feminist writers have discussed what it means to be a woman or a man. They talk about how people learn many ways to act and relate to others through life, not just because of biology. Over time, feminist ideas about gender have changed and grown, helping people see social and political issues in new ways.

Gender studies

Gender studies is a field that looks at how people understand and experience ideas about being a boy or a girl. It studies topics like how boys and girls are treated differently, how they see themselves, and how societies shape these ideas. This field looks at many areas, including literature, history, politics, and psychology.

In gender studies, the word "gender" talks about how cultures and societies think about what it means to be a boy or a girl. It is not about biological differences but about learned behaviors and roles. People learn these roles from many sources, like family, school, and media, starting from a very young age. These roles can change between different cultures and over time.

Some people feel they don’t fit neatly into just being a boy or a girl, and that’s okay. Different cultures have different ways of thinking about gender, and some recognize more than just two ways to express it.

Psychology and sociology

Many human behaviors are shaped by both natural factors and our surroundings. This includes things like our genes, what we eat, and the culture we grow up in. Researchers study how these factors connect to our actions and feelings.

Sociology looks at how people’s behaviors affect each other. For example, how one group’s actions can influence another group. As children grow, society helps them learn about their gender through examples and expectations. These ideas about gender can affect many parts of life, like jobs, family, and education. Different cultures have different ideas about what it means to be a boy or a girl, and these ideas can change over time.

Gender as biopsychosocial

Gender comes from three main parts: our bodies, our minds, and the world around us. Our bodies, like our chromosomes and hormones, help shape how we see ourselves. Our minds, including our thoughts and feelings, also play a big role. And the world around us, like our families and cultures, teaches us about gender too.

Everyone’s gender is unique, and it can be different from what people might expect based on their bodies. This mix of body, mind, and world helps make each person’s gender special.

Gender and society

Languages can show differences in how they talk about men and women. For example, some languages assign a "gender" to every word, like calling a table masculine or feminine even though it has no real gender. This doesn’t change the meaning of the word but is part of the language’s rules.

In some places, laws treat men and women differently. Some countries allow people to change their legal gender if they feel it doesn’t match what they were born as, while others don’t support this at all. Many countries now allow people to choose a gender that isn’t just male or female when they get official documents.

Science has often been seen as something mostly done by men, and women faced many barriers. Even when women started studying science, they were pushed into certain fields and given less important jobs. Today, women are still less common in top science jobs, but efforts are being made to change this.

Different religions think about gender in various ways. Some see God as male, while others include feminine ideas. Many religions have specific roles for men and women, but some are working toward more equal treatment.

Poverty affects women more often than men. Women may have less money, fewer job opportunities, and less control over resources. This gap is called the "feminization of poverty". Programs aim to help women gain more equality and empowerment.

Climate change affects men and women differently, mostly because of social and economic factors rather than biology. Women often face more challenges in adapting to climate change due to their roles and access to resources.

Social media use differs between genders. Women often use it to stay connected with friends, while men may use it to meet new people or share different kinds of content. Young people, especially teens, spend a lot of time online, with girls often focusing on communication and boys more on activities or humor.