Gender, Society, and Behavior

This chapter discusses the social construction of gender. As a society, people have created gender roles that they agree on and perceive as “real,” despite their not necessarily being based on objective differences between women and men. Comparing men and women across the globe today, one can see that what is considered masculine or feminine is not universally accepted. The chapter then considers how language and culture shape the way people think about gender. It also looks at how different major religions understand gender. While some religions remain strictly divided along gender lines, a number of religious groups now permit women to become religious leaders. Some allow their leaders to officiate same-sex marriages, while others have banned these unions from their grounds. The chapter also introduces the use of gender-neutral titles and pronouns, traces the history of gender equality under the law, defines gender-based violence, and identifies the legal protections for transgender people in the United States.