Soc 201

Dr. Gray

Female-male Similarities and Differences

Sex refers to biological characteristics apparent at birth and include chromosomes, anatomy, hormones, and other physical and physiological attributes.

Gender refers to learned attitudes and behaviors that characterize people of one sex or the other.

Many people use the terms sex and gender interchangeably, but sex is a biological designation, whereas gender and gender roles are social creations.

Gender identity-the individual's perception of himself or herself as either masculine or feminine.

Gender roles-the characteristics, attitudes, feelings, and behaviors that society expects of females and males.

Many Americans still have gender stereotypes, expectations about how people will look, act, think, and feel based on their sex.

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