UNIT 3: GENDER and SOCIETY

Introduction Unit Learning Objective

By the end of this unit, you should

Sex and gender have been always brought very be able to describe the influence of
interesting issues to consider. Most people in reality have socialization on gender
not thought that the two are not actually the same as they construction.
use the terms interchangeably.
Taken from both sociology and the natural sciences, we are able to prove certain things
regarding the claim that sex is a biological classification while gender is a cultural classification.

Timing

A better comprehension of the topic would require four (4) hours of reading and analysis of the text.
After which you will perform the set of activities to measure your level of comprehension on the said
topic. The fourth set of unit assessments are located in the Activity Section.

Getting Started!

3.1 Sex

A lot of people have been so insensitive to the use of the terms “sex” and “gender.” Most often
than not, these two terms are used interchangeably as if they have equal meanings. In a strict sense,
these two terms are really distinct in meaning and must be used to mean different things. Sex, as a
term, refers to the physical or physiological differences between males and females including their
primary sex characteristics (the reproductive organs) and their secondary sex characteristics like
height and muscularity (Griffiths, 2012).
A person’s sex is determined by his or her biological makeup. Sometimes, his or her gender
does not correspond with his God given sexuality. In other words, sex is a physical classification of a
person which is already fixed or immutable. There is a dichotomous view of sex in a universal way
because it is already a fixed notion to think of a male or a female.

Sexual Orientation

When we talk of sexual orientation, it simply refers to a person’s emotional and sexual
attraction to a particular sex (whether male or female). Sexual orientation is divided into four
categories such as:
a. Heterosexuality-the attraction to individuals of the opposite sex
b. Homosexuality-the attraction to individuals of one’s own sex
c. Bisexuality-the attraction to individuals of either sex
d. Asexuality-the absence of any attraction to either sex

A heterosexual is known in society as “straight” while a homosexual is considered as a “gay.”

Most societies in the world are heteronormative which means that being “straight” is the one which
most societies consider as normal, of course, this is without prejudice to those who are not “straight.”
However, some heteronormative societies, nowadays, are already open to the possibility of allowing
same sex marriages.
 Individuals are mostly aware of their sexual orientation between middle childhood and early
adolescence. There is no need to participate in sexual activity just to be made aware of emotional,
romantic, and physical attractions because people can remain celibate and still recognize their sexual
orientation. Some people have to reach the point of puberty in order to manifest the sexual
orientations while others may remain unready or unwilling to show up their homosexuality or
bisexuality even up to adulthood.
As just mentioned above that sex is a fixed concept, Alfred Kinsey showed a strong opposition
to this dichotomy, that is being gay or straight. For Kinsey, there exists a sort of a continuum of
heterosexuality and homosexuality. This was well written in his work in 1948 entitled “Sexual
Behavior in the Human Males” wherein he asserted that “Males do not represent two discrete
populations, heterosexual and homosexual. He used an analogy for this by saying that the world is not
to be divided into sheep and goats…. (Kinsey, 1948).
Later on, another expert expanded the idea of Kinsey by the name of Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick.
Sedgwick coined the term “homosocial” to oppose “homosexual,” describing non-sexual same-sex
relations. According to Sedgwick, in the American culture, American males are subject to the divide
or dichotomy while the females enjoy more fluidity. This is proven by the fact that the females can
walk while holding hands with each other or hug each other most of the time without any societal
disapproval which the males cannot, similarly, enjoy especially that the American society is still
known to be heteronormative, although some of its states have legalized same sex marriage.
Up to this moment, there is no exact scientific consensus regarding the reasons why an
individual has a heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual orientation. Several researches conducted
have tried to link it to genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual
orientation, yet still they end up clueless and inconclusive. However, researches have shown that
heterosexuals and homosexuals unequal treatment in schools and workplaces. Several cases of
discrimination against the members of the LGBTQ communities have been documented. Much of this
discrimination is based on stereotypes, misinformation, and homophobia, an extreme or irrational
aversion to homosexuals.

3.2 Gender

In the previous discussions, we already made it clear that, strictly speaking, sex and gender are
two different terms. We know that sex is the biological classification of a person as male or female,
which is considered to be fixed. So, what about the term gender?
As defined, gender refers to social or cultural distinctions associated with being male or
female, a distinction which can change (OpenStax College, 2012) . If we are to compare this meaning
of gender with that of sex, we can discern that they are different because sex is biological distinction
while gender is cultural distinction. Also, sex is fixed while gender is subject to change. Thus, a person
is a boy because he is born with male genitalia. In other words, sex is very much attached, as a concept,
with the reproductive system of a person. However, the gender of a person can sometimes dictate a
different mode of classification from what is biologically set like when a boy, who is supposed to feel
attracted to a female, becomes sexually attracted to a male.

Gender Roles
We all learn to behave in accordance with what our environment has offered. This is
considered as socialization process, wherein children are introduced to certain roles which are
consistent with our sexuality. Thus, our behavior is influenced so much by our external environment.
With this, we learn of the so-called gender role. Gender role refers to society’s concept of how men
and women are expected to behave and how they should perform it (OpenStax College, 2012). These
are all based on norms or standards created by society. Usually, masculine roles are associated with
strength, aggression, and dominance, whereas feminine roles are mostly associated with passivity,
nurturing, and subordination. So, when does one learn his or her role? Role learning normally starts
with socialization since birth.
With regards to role learning, most gender roles are learned by children through play. Little
boys play with trucks, toy guns, and superhero stuffs which can promote motor skills, aggression, and
solitary play. On the other hand, little girls play with dolls and dress-up apparel which can enhance
nurturing, social proximity, and role play (a reason why these little girls love to play with what we
call in the waray-waray as “balay balay”). From recent studies, children will most likely choose to play
with “gender appropriate” toys (same-gender toys) even if cross-gender toys are available because
parents give their children positive feedback in the form of praise, involvement, and physical
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closeness to enhance gender normative behavior. Adherence to these gender roles is expected by
society to last for a lifetime. Even in the field of professional practice, some professions seem to be
dominated by men while others continue to be, predominantly, played by women. For example, the
military and police forces are predominantly for the men while the nursing and other healthcare
professions are still predominantly for the women. Although adherence to gender roles satisfy the
society, it does not always end up as a personal preference.

Gender Identity
Just like any society, there is some level of flexibility allowed when acting out gender roles.
This means that men can assume some feminine roles and women can have some masculine roles
without interfering with their gender identity. What is gender identity? Gender identity is an
individual’s self-conception of being male or female based on his or her understanding and
association with masculine or feminine gender roles. However, some individuals deviate from the
gender roles set by society for them. An individual who identifies himself or herself with the role that
is opposite to what is determined by his or her biological sex is called a transgender. There can be
transgendered males who have a strong emotional and psychological connection with the feminine
aspects of society because they identify themselves as female while the transgendered females
identify themselves as male members of societies. Today, some societies have witnesses how some of
these transgendered individuals tried to alter their bodies through medical interventions in the forms
of surgery and hormonal therapy which brand them now as transsexuals. These transsexuals are
sometimes called male-to-female (MTF), in the case of a transexual who was originally a man and
later transforms into a woman, and female-to-male, in the case of a transexual who was originally a
woman who now transformed into a man.
However, not all transgendered individuals prefer to alter their bodies because some of them
intended to maintain their anatomy, although they present themselves to the society as the opposite
gender. They usually do this by adopting the dress, hairstyle, and mannerisms which can identify them
with the opposite gender. Yet, experts believe that, eventhough the majority of transgenders who are
not transsexuals cross-dress, not all people who cross-dress are transgenders nor transsexuals. Some
people who cross-dress would like to manifest a personal style, unique self- expression, and even for
entertainment purposes.
There is no single, conclusive explanation for why people are transgendered. Transgendered
expressions and experiences are so diverse that it is difficult to identify their origin. Some hypotheses
suggest biological factors such as genetics or prenatal hormone levels as well as social and cultural
factors such as childhood and adulthood experiences. Most experts believe that all of these factors
contribute to a person’s gender identity (APA 2008).
It is known, however, that transgendered and transsexual individuals experience
discrimination based on their gender identity. People who identify as transgendered are twice as
likely to experience assault or discrimination as non-transgendered individuals; they are also one and
a half times more likely to experience intimidation (National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs
2010). Organizations such as the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs and Global Action for
Trans Equality work to prevent, respond to, and end all types of violence against transgender,
transsexual, and homosexual individuals. These organizations hope that by educating the public
about gender identity and empowering transgender and transsexual individuals, this violence will
end.

Socialization and Gender

Recent studies show that children are aware their gender roles at the age of two or three. While
at four or five, they have firmly enhanced their awareness of their culturally appropriate gender roles.
They acquire and learn these gender roles, as children, through the process known as socialization
which sociologist consider as the process of learning how to behave in a certain fashion as determined
by societal values, beliefs, and attitudes.
The major agents of socialization, which can play an important role in influencing the behavior
of individuals include the family, education, peer groups, and mass media. Gender stereotypes are the
basis of the societal values in relation to gender roles. For example, the motorcycle drivers are
expected by society to be, exclusively, men because of the greater risks and requirement for
masculinity.
Gender stereotypes have become the basis of sexism. In this study, sexism refers to prejudiced
beliefs that value one sex over another. As a result of sexism, a form of discrimination of some people
results due to sexism. A good example was the ancient practice of excluding women from very
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important decision-making processes and attending school because they were branded as second-
class citizens of a society. Just imagine how devastating that was for women of the past to be always
excluded by men from very important societal activities just because they were women. However,
today this unequal treatment of women is no longer favored by almost all societies.
Family is the first agent of socialization. There are a lot of situations wherein sons and
daughters are given different socialization exposures by their parents. For example, boys might be
given more autonomy while girls are given more restrictions on certain matters. In this case, parents
are unaware that even if they honestly want equality of treatment, they imply inequality of care on
their children.
The said socialization in the family is reinforced in school. Most often than not, schools start to
stratify the boys and girls. With segregation efforts, stratification is achieved by schools. Through this,
at the elementary levels, schools can influence the children their choices based on their strata. The
inequalities continue to be felt by children in school through these strata.

Notes

Sex p. 27; Sexual Orientation p.27; Asexual p.28; Gender p.28; Gender role p.29; Gender
identity p.29; Socialization p.30

Unit Activity

Refer to the attached activities and unit assessments in the activity section.

Unit Summary

• Gender is more of a cultural construct due to the strong influence of society on a

person’s gender identity.

• Gender should not be a basis for discriminating some people who are not considered
“straight.”.

References

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Meister, Chad. Philosophy of Religion. Braddock, Matthew, Ed. The Internet Encyclopedia of
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Thorne, Barrie. 1993. Gender Play: Girls and Boys in School. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University
Press.

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Accessed 10 March 2020.