Gender
As human beings we live in a gendered world; we are surrounded by gender signals from the moment of our birth to the instant of our death. Sociologists study gender - the social differences between males and females according to the practices and ideals of a society - to understand how gender shapes a society.
As children we get the poem "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" and "What Are Little Boys Made Of?" We are channeled into particular activities at home, then at school, then at work that are considered appropriate to our gender. For example, as a birthday present for a youngster we might purchase a truck for a boy and a doll for a girl. This reflects who we expect our children to be when they become adults. Girls grow up to be women and (in our society)are expected to take care of children. Boys grow up to be men, and are expected to work and make money.