What do we call the attitudes and behaviors that a culture considers appropriately "masculine" or "feminine"?

The term that refers to the attitudes and behaviors that a culture considers appropriately "masculine" or "feminine" is gender roles. Gender roles encompass the expectations and standards society has for individuals based on their perceived sex, dictating how they should behave, dress, and interact depending on their identification as male or female. These roles are learned through socialization processes within families, media, and societal institutions, effectively shaping individual identities and expressing cultural norms.

While some might think of gender norms as synonymous with gender roles, norms refer more broadly to the informal rules regarding appropriate conduct, encompassing various societal expectations not strictly limited to masculinity and femininity. Social constructs, on the other hand, are broader concepts that include various beliefs and practices that are established by society but do not specifically address gender behaviors. Gender stereotypes involve fixed and oversimplified beliefs about the characteristics and behaviors of men and women, which may contribute to the creation of gender roles but do not encompass the full range of attitudes and behaviors designated as masculine or feminine within a culture. Thus, the definition aligns closely with the concept of gender roles, making it the most accurate choice in this context.