- Question
Is our gender determined by nature or nurture?
Men are from Mars and women are from Venus, so the saying goes. But are the behavioural differences between men and women the result of social and cultural conventions? Or are our gender-specific behaviours driven by biological factors?
Gender is determined by biological factors
This position holds that gender is determined by biological factors. It argues, drawing on innatism and evolutionary theory, that gender identity and the differences between the sexes are rooted in biology — present from birth rather than written onto a blank slate by society.
Gender is a social construct
This position holds that gender is a social construct, shaped by societal and cultural influences rather than biology. It points to non-binary genders found across cultures, and to the 'tabula rasa' view that people are a blank slate at birth on which society writes gender.
Gender is determined by both nature and nurture
This position holds that gender is determined by both nature and nurture. It argues that biology and social environment together shape how gender develops—an idea captured by the biosocial theory of gender, which sees innate factors and upbringing as working hand in hand.