The document discusses how gender is often imposed on individuals from a young age through social and environmental influences, using the author's own experiences as an example. As a child, the author preferred stereotypically masculine toys and activities like playing in the dirt with trucks and action figures. The author believes this relates to an innate male instinct of adventure and exploration. Growing up, the author faced pressure to behave in stereotypically masculine ways by hiding emotions and "taking punishment like a man." This experience illustrates how gender roles can be imposed through parenting and social norms during childhood.