The social construction of gender refers to how meanings of gender are created through social interactions and norms.

• Gender is not innate and is subject to change:
• Pink used to be a "boy" color and blue was a "girl" color; now pink is considered a "girl" color and blue a "boy" color
• What is considered gender appropriate is determined collectively

Candace West and Don Zimmerman developed this idea that we "do" gender, instead of it being something that we are. They claim this by saying that we "do" gender knowing that we will be judged by others and held accountable for our gender performances.