The transition from descriptive regularities to prescriptive expectations is linked to the inherence heuristic (a cognitive shortcut attributing observed associations to inherent properties), reinforcing the perception of internal characteristics as defining features of social categories and contributing to gender stereotype endorsement. We investigated how inherent reasoning and moderating factors (i.e. generics and individual characteristics) influence the endorsement of gendered activities. Using a 3 (framing: generics vs. "most" vs. "some") × 2 (typicality: typical vs. countertypical gender associations) design, 241 French participants provided descriptive and prescriptive judgments about gendered associations, with justifications coded for inherence. Results showed that generic statements increased prescriptive judgments and reliance on inherent reasoning compared to “most” statements. Inherent justifications increased prescriptive judgments for typical and reduced them for countertypical gender associations. Inherent reasoning fully mediated the effect of generics on prescriptive judgments. These findings underscore the role of language and cognition in sustaining normative gender expectations.