Gender socialization is the process through which males and females learn the attitudes and expectations that society has for their sex. Most influential agents of socialization include mass media, peers, school, and – of course, family. Family socializes children into gender roles by reinforcing appropriate behaviors, by offering differential opportunities for boys and girls, through role modeling of adult gender behavior or through explicit instructions. Drawing on your understanding of the socialization process and using your own examples, please discuss how family contributes to individual’s developing gender identity. Do you think understanding the process of socialization helps challenge the perception of ‘gender’ as a fixed, unchangeable category?