How does the concept of gender socialization challenge the notion that certain behaviors or preferences are inherently tied to one's biological sex?

Gender socialization is the process by which society teaches individuals the behaviors, roles, and expectations associated with being male or female. This concept challenges the idea that our behaviors or preferences are solely based on biological sex by showing that many traits we associate with gender, like being nurturing or competitive, are actually learned from our environment. For example, if a girl is encouraged to play with dolls and a boy is encouraged to play with trucks, they might develop different interests and behaviors not because of their biology, but because of what society expects of them. This shows that gender roles can be flexible and influenced by culture, rather than fixed by nature. Ultimately, understanding gender socialization helps us see that people can express their identities and preferences in ways that go beyond traditional gender norms.