Gender in a lay man's term can be defined as the condition of being a male or female. But in sociological terms, gender is the psychological, social, and cultural aspects of maleness and femaleness. In many cases, people tend to get mixed up between sex and gender; it is so because there is only a minimal difference between the two terms. Sex is the biological state of being a male or a female. It is determined at or before birth, and gender being the sociological aspect is acquired as the individual socializes. This distinction is between sex and gender is very important because it reminds us that males and females are different in many ways; the behavioral and experiential differences do not come naturally from the biological differences between sexes. In addition, this differentiation allows us to separate masculinity from maleness and femininity from femaleness, making it possible for us to divert from cultural notions of gender without impacting their sex.
             Gender development is one of the most important parts of socialization. It is during this process an individual acquires his role as a male or a female in society. The entire process of socialization would be incomplete without examining the process by which we develop our gender. Gender, along with race, ethnicity and culture, is one of the primary elements of our social being. Our everyday behaviors, tastes and desires, our experiences in relationships, our carrier choices, and our impression in the eyes of others are directly or indirectly linked to gender.
             This process of gender development starts right from a child's birth; the infants at birth are biologically determined if they are males or females. But the more important role of shaping up their personality, identities, etc are taken away by other factors. Social institutions, peers, playgroups etc are some of the most important factors that help build one's gender. Besides the above-mentioned books, toys and the med...