How do anthropologists typically approach the study of gender?

Anthropologists approach the study of gender primarily as a social construct influenced by cultural norms. This perspective emphasizes that gender is not merely a biological or fixed characteristic but is shaped and expressed through various cultural contexts. It involves understanding how societal expectations, roles, and identities reproduce or challenge traditional views of masculinity and femininity.

By viewing gender through this lens, anthropologists can explore how cultural meanings assigned to gender roles affect individuals' behaviors and opportunities within different societies. This holistic approach allows researchers to analyze the complexities of gender relations and their intersections with other social factors, such as class, ethnicity, and sexuality. As such, anthropologists can better understand both the diversity of gender experiences across cultures and the underlying social structures that sustain or resist those experiences.