Which term refers to the roles and behaviors prescribed by culture for males and females?

The term that describes the roles and behaviors prescribed by culture for males and females is gender differences. This concept recognizes that societies have distinct expectations for how individuals of different genders should behave, interact, and perform their roles. For example, certain cultures might endorse stereotypical ideas of masculinity, such as being assertive or competitive, while femininity may be associated with being nurturing or passive.

Gender differences encompass not only the expectations surrounding behaviors but also the understanding of identity and social roles based on one's gender in a cultural context. This is distinct from sex differences, which are biological and pertain to physical characteristics and reproductive functions. Similarly, personality traits refer to individual characteristics in behavior and thinking patterns and are not inherently linked to cultural prescriptions of gender roles. Understanding these nuances is important in discussions about gender and society.