gender

The word "gender" implies those aspects of one's sexual identity that are cultural rather than biological in nature. For example, the development of a uterus or testicles represents biologically sexed characteristics; in contemporary U.S. culture, the wearing of dresses and makeup is a cultural characteristic associated with gender.

Can you tell which of the magazines pictured above are designed "for men" and which are designed "for women"? If so, you are demonstrating an understanding of how U.S. culture constructs genders. Most of the products pictured here appeal to non-genetic, culturally taught and transmitted gender characteristics.

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