What is the Difference Between Sex and Gender?

The terms "sex" and "gender" are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings:

• Sex refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define humans as female or male. These characteristics include reproductive organs, chromosomes, hormones, and other physical features. Sex is primarily associated with physical and physiological features and is usually categorized as female or male, although there is variation in biological attributes and some individuals may possess both.
• Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, expressions, and identities of girls, women, boys, men, and gender-diverse people. It influences how people perceive themselves and each other, how they act and interact, and the distribution of power and resources in society. Gender is much more complex than assigned sex and includes gender roles, expectations, and characteristics that society and people have about behaviors and traits associated with a person's assigned sex.

In summary, sex is a biological classification based on physical and physiological features, while gender is a social construct that encompasses roles, behaviors, and identities associated with being female or male in a particular society.

Comparative Table: Sex vs Gender

The difference between sex and gender can be summarized as follows:

Sex is determined at birth based on a person's chromosomes, gonads, and anatomy. Males have one X and one Y chromosome, while females have two X chromosomes. Females have ovaries and a uterus, while males have testes and a penis.

Gender, on the other hand, is a more complex concept that refers to an individual's or society's understanding of what feels and acts feminine, masculine, androgynous, or something else altogether. Gender encompasses a person's identities, expressions, and societal roles, and it can vary across different cultures and time periods.