Gender refers to the social and cultural expectations and roles associated with being male or female. It is a complex concept that goes beyond biological sex, encompassing how people identify, express themselves, and interact with others. Gender influences the way we perceive ourselves and others, as well as our experiences and opportunities.
Biological sex refers to the physical characteristics that distinguish males from females, such as reproductive organs, hormones, and chromosomes. While biological sex is commonly used to determine gender identity, it is not always a reliable indicator.
Gender identity is a person's inner sense of being male or female (or somewhere in between) regardless of their biological sex. It is a deeply personal and subjective experience that can vary from person to person.
Gender roles are the social expectations and norms associated with being male or female in a given culture or society. They can include things like clothing choices, activities and hobbies, job opportunities, and behaviors.
Gender expression refers to how people choose to express their gender identity through their appearance, behavior, and communication style. This can include things like clothing, makeup, hairstyles, body language, and speech patterns.
Gender-neutral marketing has become increasingly popular in recent years as companies seek to appeal to diverse audiences. Women's empowerment campaigns have also gained traction as brands try to create positive change while promoting their products. Men's grooming products have also become more prevalent in response to shifting gender norms around appearance and self-care.
Other terms related to gender include cisgender (identifying with one's biological sex), transgender (identifying with a different gender than one's biological sex), nonbinary (identifying outside of the traditional binary of male/female), and genderqueer (having a mix of masculine and feminine qualities).
