Final answer:
Culture dictates gender differences by creating roles and expectations based on sex, while biological sex is determined by physical differences. Gender roles are fluid and vary across cultures, whereas biological sex characteristics are consistent. The understanding of gender identity has evolved, emphasizing cultural influence over biological determinism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Culture dictates gender differences, while biology determines sex differences. The term biological sex refers to the physical and physiological differences between male and female bodies, such as reproductive systems and secondary sexual characteristics. On the other hand, cultural gender involves the roles, behaviors, activities, expectations, and societal norms attributed to people based on their sex. These gender categories, unlike biological sex, are learned and can vary greatly across different cultures and time periods.
While characteristics of sex remain relatively consistent across human societies, with females typically menstruating and developing breasts that can lactate, gender characteristics are far more fluid. For example, wearing a dress might be considered a feminine expression in U.S. culture, while it can be seen as masculine in other parts of the world. Thus, gender identity is influenced by the cultural interpretation of biological differences and is subject to change.
It is essential to recognize that someone's sex does not always align with their gender identity. Misconceptions about gender identity being rooted in biology have been debunked, illustrating that much of what is considered gendered behavior is a result of cultural influence rather than biological determinism.