A group of friends is discussing their favorite beverages, and they categorize them based on perceived gender norms. They label black coffee as 'manly' and a strawberry smoothie as 'girly.' Which category best describes their classification method?

The friends are using gender socialization to classify their favorite beverages. Gender socialization is the process by which society teaches individuals what behaviors and preferences are considered appropriate for their gender. In this case, they associate black coffee with masculinity and strawberry smoothies with femininity, reflecting societal stereotypes. For example, they might believe that strong, bitter flavors like black coffee are more suitable for men, while sweet, fruity drinks like smoothies are seen as more appealing to women. This classification shows how cultural ideas about gender can influence even simple choices like what to drink.