Performative Gender

Performative gender is the idea that gender is not an innate quality but rather a set of behaviors and roles that individuals enact based on societal expectations. Coined by philosopher Judith Butler, it suggests that we "perform" our gender through actions, language, and choices, which are influenced by cultural norms. For example, how one dresses, speaks, or behaves can signal their gender to others. This concept highlights that gender identity is dynamic and shaped by social interactions rather than fixed biological traits. In essence, it emphasizes the role of performance in expressing and constructing gender.