Final answer:
Gender identity is an individual's internal perception of being male, female, both, neither, or another gender. It differs from biological sex and can vary greatly among individuals, particularly among transgender individuals. Also, it is distinct from sexual orientation, which deals with attraction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gender identity refers to one's internal, personal sense of being male, female, a blend of both, neither, or another gender altogether. Unlike biological sex, which comprises the physical attributes such as chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs, gender identity is about how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. This concept is an important aspect of one's overall identity and can be different from the sex assigned at birth, which is frequently the case for transgender individuals.
Transgender people have a gender identity that does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth, and they might use a variety of terms to express themselves. It's also critical to distinguish gender identity from sexual orientation, which is about physical, mental, emotional, and sexual attraction to others.
The terms "masculine" and "feminine" are often used to describe attributes or roles associated with a particular sex in society, but they do not necessarily align with an individual's gender identity, which is a deeply held sense of self that may incorporate, transcend, or reject traditional gender categories of male and female.
In this regard, U.S. society exhibits some level of flexibility with gender roles, allowing individuals to express their genders in a variety of ways without impacting the core of their gender identity. Furthermore, as a social construct, gender identity can be fluid, evolving over time, allowing each person to find an authentic self amidst a complex array of stereotypes and societal expectations.