What is gender socialization?

Part of the definition of gender socialization involves
the understanding of how social orders view the defining characteristic of gender.  This
includes how social orders "gear" gender orientation to certain ends.  For example, when
infant who is a girl is given dolls with which to play and a boy is given army figures,
this is a subtle example of gender socialization for it is using social practices to
gear an individual's perception of gender roles.  In a high school, when girls are
encouraged to to take cooking classes and boys auto shop, it is another form of gender
socialization.  In both of these settings, social expectations of gender impact decision
making practice of individuals.  It is gender that is used to define how once social
activity is geared.  This is a part of gender socialization.