"Social construction" is a term that refers to the idea that many of the things we take for granted as "real" are actually created by social processes. Synonyms for this concept include "cultural construction," "socially constructed reality," "constructed identity," and "socially constructed beliefs." These phrases all express the idea that societal norms, values, and practices are not inherent or fixed, but rather created and perpetuated by human beings. By recognizing the role of social construction in our lives, we can better understand how our beliefs and behaviors are shaped by the society in which we live and work to challenge discriminatory or harmful social constructs.