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Gender expression

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Gender expression is an analytical category in gender studies that refers to aspects of a person's behaviours, mannerisms, interests, and appearance styles that are associated with gender in a particular cultural context, specifically with the categories of femininity or masculinity. This also includes gender roles. These categories rely on stereotypes about gender.

Gender expression is separate and independent both from gender identity and sexual orientation, as well as from gender assigned at birth. A type of gender expression that is considered atypical for a person's externally perceived gender or gender identity may be described as gender non-conforming.

In men and boys, typical gender expression is often described as "manly", while atypical expression is known as effeminate. In girls, atypical expression is called tomboyish. In (especially queer) women, atypical and typical expression are known as butch and femme respectively. A mixture of typical and atypical expression may be described as androgynous. A type of expression that is perceived as neither typically feminine or masculine can be described as gender-neutral or undifferentiated.

The Bem Sex-Role Inventory was designed to evaluate gender expression objectively (within a White American cultural context).

References

  • Serano, Julia (2016). Whipping Girl: A transsexual woman on sexism and the scapegoating of femininity (2nd ed.), Berkeley, CA: Seal Press.
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