Gender Expression
Gender expression – also referred to as gender presentation or gender self-presentation – the sociocultural expression of an individual’s gender identity, manifested in behavior, manner of communication, clothing, and specific practices that shape or modify appearance, such as weight control, the development of muscularity, and similar practices.
Gender expression makes it possible for individuals to be socially read and categorized in gendered terms and functions as one of the preconditions of communicative intelligibility and social trust.
It is important to note that gender expression refers to the expression or presentation of an individual’s gender identity, that is, the sociocultural experience and understanding of one’s sex/gender, rather than to biological sex itself. Therefore, the gender that is expressed or socially presented may not coincide with the individual’s biological sex assigned at birth.
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