genderlinked

Genderlinked is an adjective used to describe traits, behaviors, or outcomes that correlate with gender. In social science and public health, the term is used to discuss how gender identity, gender roles, and gender norms influence experiences such as employment, education, health, and access to resources. The word is not a precise scientific classification and its meaning can vary by context, which can lead to ambiguity if not defined explicitly. In genetics, the established term is sex-linked (or X-linked), referring to genes on the sex chromosomes with inheritance patterns that differ between males and females. Some writers use genderlinked to distinguish social or behavioral associations from genetic ones, but this usage is debated and not widely standardized.

Examples include genderlinked differences in occupational segregation or health risks shaped by gender norms, and differences in disease awareness resulting from gendered health-seeking behaviors. Limitations include the tendency to conflate biological and social factors; it is important to specify whether discussion concerns biology, behavior, or social determinants.

See also sex-linked inheritance, gender studies, and social determinants of health.