The Cultural Construct of the Masculine and Feminine Identity of the 21st Century

in Toledo City

A Research Paper presented to the

Faculty of Senior High School Department

Bato National High School

Bato, Toledo City

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the subject

PRACTICAL RESEARCH 2 (Quantitative Research)

Researchers:

Caballero, Joshua Fred

Rhashel Grace Gutang

Villarin, Daiken
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Gender stereotyping is present every day. It could be at work, in school or even in the

house. It seems like gender equality can’t be achieved. There is a physical difference between

men and women. Like, men are built different physically, their physique is enormous than

women. While women are more delicate. Men are more logical, analytical, rational. Women are

more intuitive, holistic, creative, integrative. Men perceive that they are being told that they are

not competent, that they don't know how to do anything, or that they can't accomplish

something on their own when a woman tries to modify, improve, correct, or advise a man. Men

avoid managing housework, attempt to avoid doing it themselves, and feel degraded when they

do. For women, a clean home represents a cozy, welcoming nest. The standards for cleanliness

and dirtiness differ between men and women.

According to the gender stereotype concept, men are typically seen as more masculine

than women, whilst women are typically perceived to be more feminine. To assess the

fundamental components of gender stereotypes, several scales have been devised (e.g., agency

and communion, competence and warmth, or instrumentality and expressivity). According to

Steffens and Viladot (2015), gender is also one of the first social categories that children learn in

today's societies, and thus knowledge of gender stereotypes is evident from early childhood on

and into adulthood, with both adolescents and college students construing their self-concepts in

line with the gender stereotypes they have internalized. In today’s society, masculinity and

femininity are still present, including, for example, housework. To date, these concepts can only
be measured using two terms, “masculine” and “feminine”. Constantinople (1973) define

“traditional masculinity” and “traditional femininity” as relatively enduring characteristics

encompassing traits, appearances, interests, and behaviors that have traditionally been

considered relatively more typical of women and men, respectively.

Deaux and Lewis (1984) investigated the perceived relationship between gender and

gender-related characteristics, such as role behaviors (e.g., head of household vs. takes care of

children), personalities, professions, and physical attributes, in a fundamental study on

masculinity and femininity (e.g., tall, broad-shouldered vs. soft voice, graceful). In addition,

physical appearance has a critical role in gender stereotypes. The main explanation for gender

roles in the past has been believed to be the biological differences between men and women.

Even though gender stereotyping was an epidemic over a millennium, it is still a big problem

that our society faces.

Geert Hofstede (2001) describes, “Masculinity stands for a society in which social

gender roles are clearly distinct: Men are supposed to be assertive, tough, and focused on

material success; women are supposed to be more modest, tender, and concerned with the

quality of life.” “Femininity stands for a society in which social gender roles overlap: Both men

and women are supposed to be modest, tender, and concerned with the quality of life.” Gender

stereotyping is a historical problem that still exists in the 21st century. When you study history,

you can see that the majority of the inventors in any area of society are men.

The researchers have noticed the gender stereotyping between masculine and feminine.

Thus, the researchers were able to explore the cultural construct of masculinity and femininity

in the society.
 This research study aimed to determine the cultural construct of masculinity and

femininity of the 21st century in Toledo City and to understand why gender stereotyping is still

present to this day.

 THE PROBLEM

Statement of the Problem