“The roles of men and women have changed so much that there is no longer any difference.” The relationship that exists between gender and sex has been the root cause of global gender movements and issues existing in the contemporary world. The representation of masculinity and femininity is humanly constructed and sets the stage for social expectations. Social institutions are designed to fulfill the desired gender role that is based on the foundations of traditional social norms. Norms change over time and space and are influenced by the environment and cultural and social movements. Gender theory and its relationship to sex, power, femininity and masculinity are first detailed, followed by two case studies demonstrating gender inequality and the construction of gender in an organized context. The concept of gender refers to assigned roles that are compatible with an individual's biological sex. They include the full coverage of ideologies and attitudes demonstrated by a male or female. They are the "genetic characteristics that biologically make a boy a girl and contribute significantly to making her feminine and boys are given their masculine traits" (O'Sullivan, p4). Emphasizing the theory of gender, it has evolved into a social phenomenon "gender is what we normally consider male or female" (O'Sullivan, p4). The theory of sex, is determined by the biological formation of a human being, the The word sex refers to “the set of biological characteristics that result in females and males” (O'Sullivan, p2). Cultural and social interactions often influence the representation of sex allowing this concept to create gender roles. Feminis...... middle of paper ......2. Hakim, C (2004), “Key issues in women's work”, Australia: The Glass House Press3. Arvanitakis, J, (2009), “Contemporary Society”, Australia: Oxford University Press4. McGennisken ,J–(2002) “The basis of the bargain” – some key issues for women5. Cooper, C, (25/03/2009), “Women still do most of the housework: report”, ABC Online: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03 /25/2525756. htm6. Wearing, B, (1996), “The pain and pleasure of difference”7. M, Alveson “(2004) Masculinity and femininity in an advertising agency”-http://www.springerlink.com/content/m6250lg044hx6076/8. Gilmartin, C, Hesse-Biber, S, Lyndenberg R (1999), “Feminist Approaches to Theory and Methodology”, New York: Oxford University Press9. Adams,C and Laurikietis R – (1977)“The Gender Trap”: a closer look at sexual roles