A
gender role is a set of societal
norms dictating what types of behaviors are generally considered acceptable, appropriate or desirable for a person based on their actual or perceived
sex. These are usually centered around opposing conceptions of
femininity and
masculinity, although there are myriad
exceptions and
variations. The specifics regarding these gendered expectations may vary substantially among cultures, while other characteristics may be common throughout a range of cultures. There is ongoing debate as to what extent gender roles and their variations are
biologically determined, and to what extent they are
socially constructed.