Gender Performance Theory

Gender Performance Theory suggests that gender is not an innate trait but something people "perform" through their behaviors, actions, and expressions. It posits that societal expectations shape how individuals present themselves as male, female, or other genders. In this view, gender is like a role people enact, constantly reinforced and constructed through interactions. This perspective highlights that gender is fluid and adaptable, emphasizing that identity is shaped by social context rather than fixed biology, allowing for greater understanding of diverse gender experiences.