is it okay to use western gender stereotypes to explain biol

Solution

While studying Biological processes, we are used to the term \'sex\', which comprises only the biological aspects of being female or male. However, \'gender\' is a broader term which includes the psychological, social, cultural, and behavioral characteristics with an individual. Gender identity of a person includes both biological and psychosocial aspects. Gender differences could be due to nature (biological differences such as heredity) or nurture (social and environmental differences).

In our society, men and women are expected to behave in certain ways, dress up in particular form and perform certain different roles based on their sex. These kind of notions give rise to gender stereotypes, or culturally defined patterns of expected behavior that are considered appropriate for one gender and not for other. However, there could be exceptions to these societal interpretations of sex. Psychologically, individuals could be androgynous, displaying feminine and masculine characteristics or traits.

It is beleived that males and females are pre determined by the sex organs and hormones to behave in a certain way. However, up bringing of an individual in a society plays a major role whether these biological predispositions are followed or not. Although, \'gender\' has biological foundations (wherein a major role is played by male and female hormones), but there exists varying behaviour of individuals based on psycological, cultural, and societal impact which change their identity breaking all stereotyes. Thus western gender stereotyes play a role in defining identities existing between male and female sex. They can be used to explain biological processes of having different sexual and psycological behaviour (including eventual personality and abilities).