Write a peer conversation post to the following discussion to dig into gender studies.
Including one direct quote from the reading attached.

The term sex is explained by biological and physical features whereas gender is determined from social expectations, cultural values, and gender is socially constructed and reinforced. While there are biological differences between females and male the difference between sex and gender have often been misconstrued because many may think the two words mean the same thing or in similar definitions, it can be complicated to some. Although, the two terms are believed by many individuals that gender and sex complement each other, feminist found it useful and important to separate the two because there are many differences between women and men. Not only by physical characteristics, but that of what we learn from our culture and the primary views each should behave. This means that women and men learn the practices of gender, internalize the norms associated with masculinity and femininity, are rewarded for appropriate behaviors and sanctioned for inappropriate behaviors, and learn to perform the ones that are expected of them.

Society has created determined characteristics where there are social and cultural elements of being a man or woman and boy or girl. The two terms play a major role when a child is born until adulthood. I think the fundamental distinction has been significant to feminism because society has created a social norm on how to separate girls from boys, men and women. Considering the roles that were taught to many at a young age has contributed to how children take on gender roles that society reinforces on us. In reality, gender is a practice in which all people engage; it is something we perform over and over in our daily lives. In this sense, gender is something that we do rather than haveand Gender is so central in shaping our lives, much of what is gendered is not even recognized; its made normal and ordinary and occurs on a subconscious level (Lee and Shaw, 2009). These two quotes caught my attention because it explains a few scenarios on how society has constructed specific traits each sex should take on. To which is referred to as gender socialization, traits that are taught and learned that is appropriate behaviors associated with being a boy or a girl in our culture (Lee & Shaw, 2009).  Gender becomes one of the most important and influential features that follows an individual’s life. For example, for a young child, toys are used to influence their gender role in society where boys are determined to play with cars, like the color blue and girls to play with dolls, household role play toys. This is how gender becomes a role we perform and becomes an important feature of an individuals identity.

These are the impacts that prevent a variety of identities and not encourage children to develop their own special roles in society they want to participate in and their own personal preference. Society has constructed this normal behavior or identity and has created a sense of fear to some parents. I personally know and have had a conversation with a friend about concerns of her son playing with dolls, playing with his girl cousins instead and liking the color pink, being fearful of her son being shamed for it. It is sad to hear a parent being fearful of these types of behaviors when it is a natural preference or even just letting the child be free to be curious and explore. I think that is the beauty of development in children. Having the opportunity to see the development and growth at its naturalist period without having the outside noise interfere with being you, but it is a world we live in that created that social norm. As parents some may not even think purchasing specific toys plays a major factor in contributing to socialization. Which was mentioned in this discussion,  socialization is what society values and what is basically considered a normal trait that is taught and learned.

I interviewed my niece for a course I previously took and it was about adolescents and film which was very interesting. Basically, my niece expressed she did not feel pretty and confident most of the time and what has impacted her to feel this way was because of how social media and films she watches displays girls that are viewed as beautiful are tall, long hair, and slim. This was confirmation that society uses advertisement and entertainment to shape how an individual feels about their appearance and compare themselves. This is an example of how society has such a major influence in our lives more than we think or realize. The distinction between sex and gender plays a significant purpose from my perspective because it acknowledges the issues regarding social norms that correlate to sex where can not be instructed unlike gender.