Introduction Gender is the interpretation of the combination of one’s physical traits and the internal feelings of identification with maleness or femaleness or both. Ones interpretation of his or her gender subsequently determines his or her behavioral attitudes. African and Western cultures differ on the accepted types of gender and their respective gender roles. This distinction is particularly evident in relation to tolerance for transgender and third gender people. This paper presents a cross cultural analysis of genders and their roles in African and Western cultures. It shows the perceptions of different genders and their expected social and economic contribution in their respective societies. The paper also shows that each gender in both Western and African culture has a significant role in love, desire and work their status, sex or age notwithstanding. African social culture African culture requires men to express dominance in their interactions with women.