Gender Socialization

Gender is one of the key organizing factors in an individual’s life, influencing nearly every aspect of biological and psychological development. Gender socialization is the product of patterns of social influence on a person based on his or her gender identity and the social norms surrounding ideas of gender in the environment. Throughout the lifespan, the developing person is socialized into various roles with expected patterns of thinking and behavior based on his or her biological sex and an interaction of the associated biological influences and the social context.

Thus, socialization differs for girls and boys, women and men and brings with it all the expectations and opportunities their environment affords throughout development. This entry is organized in a lifespan framework and highlights empirical research on ...