What term is used to describe the system of ideas that shape gender roles, norms, and behaviors?

The term that accurately describes the system of ideas that shape gender roles, norms, and behaviors is gender ideology. Gender ideology encompasses the beliefs, values, and assumptions about gender that influence how society understands and interprets gender roles. It shapes expectations for how individuals should behave based on their assigned or perceived gender and informs the cultural norms surrounding masculinity and femininity.

This concept is crucial in understanding how societal structures and cultural narratives contribute to the reinforcement or challenge of traditional gender roles. Gender ideology plays a pivotal role in maintaining the status quo or fostering change within gender dynamics.

The other terms relate to specific aspects of gender but do not encapsulate the broader concept of the systemic ideas behind gender roles and norms. Gender performance refers to the way individuals enact their gender through behaviors and actions. Gender identity pertains to an individual’s personal sense of their own gender, which may or may not align with societal norms. Gender expression involves the external presentation of one’s gender, including clothing, demeanor, and behavior. Each of these elements interacts with and is influenced by gender ideology, but they do not specifically define the overarching system of ideas shaping gender norms.