Biological sex and gender expression Biological 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 male or female roles that form our gender expression. Sociologist Raewyn Connell has established a fourfold theory of the structure of gender relations in certain social structures. This theory includes power relations, production relations, investment (emotional relationships), and symbolism. This theory shows us the structures within society that have led to the development of gender roles. This essay will argue that biological sex develops the basis of gender, however it is the social environment and culture that heavily influence our gender expression and shape 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 male nor female. From this phase we change and the chromosomes that determine our sex are formed as XX for females and XY for males. Hormones are produced that stimulate the development of the reproductive system, which for men is the penis and for women it is the vagina. Men produce a hormone called testosterone from the testes while women produce estrogen and progesterone from the ovaries. The female reproductive system is predominantly internal and provides the ability to give birth. It is commonly believed that women are sensitive and caring due to the constant hormonal changes that occur within the female body such as menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Men are commonly known for their physical strength, power and aggression. Who... middle of paper... had no interest in the toy. As for Connell's theory of gender relations, this is known as Cathexis (emotional relations) where desire and emotion are gendered. Although the girl was engaged with the toy, she felt that she had to play with the toy when she would have preferred not to, while the boy did not feel this particular desire or emotion. In a New Zealand study, adolescents showed that they chose courses based on gender ideologies. Gender ideologies are a set of ideas that deem appropriate male and female roles and behaviors within a social environment. Society has imposed gender stereotypes on children as soon as they are born, and these ideologies continue into adolescence. The particular social environment and culture in which children grow up will impact their gender expression, being shaped by parents, teachers and the media.