Gender Essentialism

Gender essentialism is the belief that men and women have inherent, fixed traits or qualities that define their identities and roles in society. This perspective suggests that differences between genders are natural and rooted in biology, leading to stereotypes about abilities, behaviors, and social roles. For example, it may imply that women are naturally more nurturing while men are more assertive. Critics argue that this view oversimplifies complex human experiences and ignores the impact of socialization, culture, and individual variation on gender identity and expression. Essentially, it limits understanding of gender to binary characteristics instead of recognizing its fluidity.