What is the term for the intentional display of gendered behavior?

The term for the intentional display of gendered behavior is gender performance. This concept, rooted in gender theory, suggests that gender is not simply an inherent quality or identity, but rather an act or performance that individuals engage in, often influenced by societal norms and expectations. Gender performance illustrates how people express their gender through various behaviors, language, and mannerisms that align with cultural understandings of masculinity and femininity.

In this context, individuals consciously or unconsciously enact performances based on their gender, which may align with traditional roles or challenge them. This idea was notably articulated by Judith Butler, who argued that gender is something that we "do" rather than something that we "are." The concept emphasizes that gender is dynamic and can be shaped by culture and context.

The other terms relate to different aspects of gender: gender identity refers to an individual's personal sense of their own gender; gender expression encompasses how one outwardly expresses their gender identity, which may not necessarily be intentional; and gender fluidity indicates a flexible range of gender expression that may change over time. But when focusing specifically on the intentionality behind displaying gendered behavior, gender performance is the most accurate term.