Republic of the Philippines

BOHOL ISLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

Main Campus
C.P.G. North Avenue, Tagbilaran City

Vision – a premier Science &Technology university for the formation of a world class and virtuous
human resource for sustainable development in Bohol and the Country.
Mission – Committed to provide quality higher education in the arts & sciences, as well as in the
professional & technological fields, undertake research & development, & extension services for the
sustainable development of Bohol and the country.

GE ELEC 3
Gender and Society

Course Title: Gender and Society

Number of Units: 3

Course Description:
This course will explore the sociological experience of sex, sexuality and gender. It will
look into the social construction of gender categories both historically and in the present. The
focus is upon examining the various theoretical perspectives which attempt to explain the ways
in which society organized “masculine” and “feminine” as the basis of social inequalities. It
will also explore the workings of the institutions that shape our gendered lives; and leads to an
understanding of the relationship between gender and the social structure.

Course Outline

1. Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

2. Theories and Views on Gender
3. Gender and Reproduction
4. Gender-fair Language
5. Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
6. LGBTQ + Psychology
7. Men and Masculinity
8. The Western Women’s Movement
9. Women and Education
10. Gender and Media
11. Gender and Labor
12. Gender and Violence
13. Women and the Law
14. Views and Policies on Violence and Discrimination of the members of the LGBTQ +

INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Bohol Island State University ! It is our proud and honor that you choose to study
in our premier university.

With the current situation under a NEW NORMAL condition due to COVID-19 Pandemic, our
school is now trying to find ways and means to provide accessible and quality tertiary
education. It is for this reason that the administration has decided to adapt the flexible learning
education using the blended learning modality. In order to succeed in this course, you are
expected to take part in both asynchronous and synchronous classes. To help you learn the
lessons, you are required to log-in to a Learning Material System (e.g. Google Classroom or
Moodle) to be able to access the various Instructional Materials or Modules prepared by the
teachers.

This module has been prepared to guide you in your learning journey with the use of the
Guided and Self-directed learning activities prescribed to finish your course. Each module
includes materials (supplementary reading materials, video links and other reference listing)
that have been chosen to help you understand the ideas and concepts discussed in the module.

For this semester, your class GE ELEC 3 – Gender and Society will expose you on the
"common-sense" world of gender considering the development of gendered identities and
shaping gendered lived; and provides understanding of the relationship between gender and the
social structure. After accomplishing all modules, you are expected to:

1. Understand the basic concepts of sex, gender, and sexuality and appreciate sexual diversity.
2. Develop an understanding of gender as something that is socially constructed.
3. To examine how gender relations are fundamentally relations of inequality.
4. To draw attention to how gender inequality remains structurally embedded in a systematic
patriarchy.
5. To describe how gendered inequalities as social exclusions are differently expressed across
different institutions domains.
6. Draw attention to how the concept of feminity and masculinity weave into the gender
inequality construct.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of how women, men and transgender individuals are
impacted differently in a wide variety of settings and issues and be able to discuss gender
discrimination and contemporary gender issues in an informed manner.
8. Explore the issue on gender and violence and the laws promulgated to address these issues.
Module 1 Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

Overview
Many are still are confused about what is meant to be a male or a female, feminine or
masculine, or to be a man or a woman. Understanding the complexities of defining and
differentiating sex, gender, and sexuality is essential in discussing gender and sexuality.
This module's ultimate goal is to help you understand the concept of sex, gender, and sexuality.
It will also explain the differences between these concepts to reflect on your sexuality and
appreciate the realities of sexual diversity.

Learning Objectives
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. Differentiate gender from sexuality;
2. Discuss the implication of these differences; and
3. Contemplate your sexuality and the importance of appreciating sexual diversity.

1.1. The difference between sex and gender

People often encounter documents where they will indicate their personal information,
including their sex. From school registration form to work-related documents, one is usually
asked to provide sex and not gender. Why is that so? Is it not sex the same with gender?
Historically speaking, the term "sex" and "gender " were used interchangeably. However, over
time, the uses of these terms became distinct from each other. Sex is determined by biology and
does not necessarily correspond with gender.
Sex refers to physical or physiological differences between males and females (Little &
McGivern, 2012). It pertains to one’s identity based on his sexual anatomy and reproductive
organs. Generally, sex is assigned at birth. A child with a penis is categorized as male, while a
child with a vagina is a female. In addition to examining the genitals in distinguishing a male
and female, biological markers, like the sex chromosomes, also determine the biological sex of
a male and a female.
On the other hand, gender is a term that refers to social or cultural distinctions associated with
being male or female females (Little & McGivern, 2012). There are expectations attached to
genders, which identifies between a male and female." Males are typically expected to be
masculine, and females are expected to be feminine" (Peralta et al., 2019). Also, gender
manifestations include color, toys, clothes, and others assigned to males and females.

READ: Sex and Gender: What is the difference? By Tim Newman at

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232363. OR
WATCH Sex vs. Gender vs. Orientatio by Psych2Go a
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yM_P6WdRJU&t=135s
n t
.

Self-Study Questions:
What is the difference between sex and gender?
Why is gender more difficult to define?
1.2. Gender Identity
Concerning the concept of gender, one's perception of who they were: a man, a woman, neither,
or both is crucial in understanding anyone's gender identity. Gender identity refers to the
conception of oneself as a male or female. It is the outward manifestation of a person, whether
it is masculine or feminine.

There are instances when a person's biological sex does not align with one's gender identity.
These people are often referred to as transgender. A male who is not comfortable identifying
as a man is a transgender man. A woman who does not feel comfortable identifying as a
woman is called a transgender woman.

READ: Gender Identity Development in Children by Jason Rafferty at

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/Pages/Gender-Identity-and-
Gender-Confusion-In-Children.aspx.

Self-Study Questions:
1. How does gender identity development in children?
2. How do children typically express their gender identity?

1.3. Sexual Orientation

Another aspect of our gender pertains to our emotional and sexual attraction that a person feels
towards another person. This refers to our sexual orientation. Sexual orientation describes
sexual, romantic, and emotional attraction patterns – and one's sense of identity-based on those
attractions.

There are several types of sexual orientation (Peralta et al., 2019).

 People who are attracted to the opposite sex are called “heterosexuals” or “straight.”
 People who are attracted to people of the same sex are called “homosexuals,” “gay,” or
“lesbian.”
 “Bisexual” or “bi” people are attracted to both sexes, male or female.
 LGBT refers to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

WATCH: The Diversity of Sex, Gender, and Sexual Orientation by Eric of Strong Medicine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yM_P6WdRJU&t=135s.
Self-Study Questions:
1. What is meant by sexual orientation and how it is manifested?
2. What are the common terminologies used in referring to sexual orientation?

1.4. Appreciating Diversity

Sexuality is complex. Various factors shaped one's sexuality. Mostly, a person's sexuality starts
in childhood and continues to develop as the person grew up. However, culture and religion
play a significant part in the complexity of the concept of sexuality. For straight individuals,
they do not have a problem in identifying their sexuality. That is not the case for lesbian, bi,
gay, or transgender. "Coming out" as transgender is never easy for most people. Their culture
or religion perceived it as taboo or unacceptable. Others see transgender people as a deviant
who does not conform to society's norms, which puts many transgender in a difficult position.

Unless a person is "out" about his or her sexuality, others will only know the sexuality of a
person if that person shares with him or her. Sharing one's sexuality to others can be both
awkward and challenging for many. The fear of not being accepted and condemned is common
for people who are not straight. As some of them experienced harassment or violence, the call
for appreciating diversity and acceptance that other sexualities have been raised in various
rallies and demonstrations. In a society that promotes equality, it must offer an inclusive
environment where everyone feels safe.

Activity and Assessment:

Activity1-1
Think of how gender is portrayed in your community. List down five common perceptions
about men, women, and homosexuals.
Men Women Homosexuals

What are your general realizations about these perceptions? Do you agree or disagree of
these perceptions? Why or why not?

Activity 1-2
Answer the following:
I. KNOWLEDGE. (2 points each). Define in your own words the following terms.
1. Gender
2. Sex
3. Sexuality
4. Sexual Orientation
5. Gender identity

II. COMPREHENSION AND ANALYSIS. (5 points each)

1. Why is it essential to differentiate sex and gender?
2. Think back to your childhood, how do the toys you play influenced your sexual
orientation?

References
Little, W. & McGivern, R. (2012). Chapter 12 – Gender, Sex, and Sexuality
(Introduction to Sociology – 1st Canadian Ed.) Retrieved from
https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontosociology/chapter/chapter12-gender-sex-and-
sexuality/
Newman, T. (2018, February 7). Sex and gender: What is the difference? Retrieved from
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232363#gender-identity-and-
expression.
Peralta, E. P., Botor, N. J., & Laude, T. M. (2019). Gender and Society: A Human
Ecological Approach. Manila, Philippines: Rex Bookstore, Inc.
Strong Medicine. (2017, October 3) The Diversity of Sex, Gender, and Sexual Orientation.
[Video file]. Retrieved
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=2yM_P6WdRJU&t=135s.
Psych2Go (2018, June 28) Sex vs. Gender vs. Orientation. [Video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yM_P6WdRJU&t=135s.
Rafferty, J. (2018, September 18). Gender Identity Development in Children. Retrieved
from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/gradeschool/Pages/
Gender- Identity-and-Gender-Confusion-In-Children.aspx.