Gender and material culture

Gender refers to the social and cultural roles, behaviors, and expectations that society associates with being male, female, or other identities. Material culture involves physical objects, artifacts, and belongings that reflect and influence these social roles, such as clothing, tools, or decorations. Together, gender and material culture highlight how societal ideas about gender shape the design, use, and meaning of objects, reinforcing or challenging gender norms. For example, certain colors, styles, or items may be linked to specific genders, revealing how material culture both reflects and sustains social understandings of gender identity.