Biological Sex and Gender ExpressionBiological sex indicates from birth whether we are born as male or female based on our reproductive system. Once we enter the world, we are shaped and influenced by our social environment and culture, and we begin to identify with the masculine or feminine roles that form our gender expression. Sociologist Raewyn Connell established a four-part theory on the structure of gender relations in certain societal structures. This theory includes power relations, production relations, investment (emotional relations) and symbolism. This theory shows us the structures within society that resulted in the development of gender roles. This essay will argue that biological sex develops the foundations of gender, but it is the social environment and culture that strongly influences our gender expression and shapes gender into a socially constructed performance. Biological sex is our catalyst, our starting point. For the first six weeks in the womb, we are all the same. We are neither man nor woman. From this point on, we change the chromosomes that determine our sexual form to XX for females and XY for males. Hormones are produced and stimulate the development of a reproductive system, which for men is a penis and for women, a vagina. Men produce a hormone called testosterone from their testes while women produce estrogen and progesterone from their ovaries. The female reproductive system is primarily internal and allows for childbirth. Women are commonly believed to be sensitive and nurturing due to the ongoing hormonal changes that occur in the female body, such as menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Men are generally known for their physical strength, power and aggression. Whi...... middle of paper ...... had no interest in the toy. Regarding Connell's theory of gender relations, it is called cathexis (emotional relations) where desire and emotion are gendered. Even though the girl engaged with the toy, she felt like she had to play with the toy when she preferred not to, while the boy felt neither this desire nor this particular emotion. In a New Zealand study, adolescents chose courses based on gender ideologies. Gender ideologies are a set of ideas that determine what are appropriate masculine and feminine roles and behaviors in a social environment. Society has imposed gender stereotypes on babies from birth and these ideologies continue into adolescence. The particular social environment and culture in which children grow up will impact their gender expression, as well as being shaped by parents, teachers and the media..