Final answer:
Sex is a biological distinction based on anatomical characteristics, while gender is a social distinction shaped by cultural norms and expectations, highlighting its fluidity and variance across societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
From a sociological point of view, sex is a biological distinction; it refers to the biological and anatomical differences between males and females, such as chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs. On the other hand, gender is a social distinction; it denotes the roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women. While sex is often seen as a fixed and binary category, gender is recognized as more fluid and can vary greatly across different cultures and over time. This explains why a person's biological sex may not always align with their gender identity, as gender encompasses a broader range of social and cultural identities beyond the binary of male and female.