How is "gender" best defined in sociology?

In sociology, "gender" is best defined as learned attitudes and behaviors based on social expectations. This understanding emphasizes that gender is not merely a biological distinction between males and females but is significantly shaped by cultural norms, practices, and socialization processes.

From a sociological perspective, gender encompasses a range of roles associated with being male or female, which are constructed and reinforced through societal interactions, media portrayals, family upbringing, and institutional practices. These learned behaviors and attitudes inform how individuals express their gender and navigate social situations.

This definition allows for a recognition of the complexity and fluidity of gender, acknowledging that societal norms can change and vary across different cultures and historical periods. Understanding gender as a socially constructed concept also allows sociologists to study the implications of gender roles on social inequality, power relations, and identity formation within various communities.