What is gender socialization primarily concerned with?

Gender socialization primarily focuses on the way individuals learn and internalize societal expectations related to gender roles and behaviors. This process begins in early childhood and continues throughout life as individuals receive messages from various agents of socialization, such as family, peers, education, and media. These messages guide what is considered "appropriate" behavior for different genders, shaping perceptions of masculinity and femininity.

This understanding of gender socialization highlights the role of culture and society in constructing gender norms, rather than attributing behaviors solely to biological or genetic factors. While biology and legal rights may influence individual experiences of gender, gender socialization specifically addresses how societal norms and expectations dictate behaviors and roles associated with being male or female.