1.

List differences between men and women and consider:

On what are these perceived differences based?
eg. biological, social, cultural, or religious beliefs?

The differences between men and women can be

understood through various factors, including biological
traits determined by genetics or hormonal compositions.
However, the societal roles/expectations, cultural
context, and religious interpretations of gender also
impact how gender identities are interpreted to
individuals. Here are the differences between men and
women considering its differences based on biological,
social, cultural or religious beliefs:
Biological:
 Men tend to have larger organs compared to women.
 Women are capable of forming specific bonds among
themselves more easily than men.
 Women tend to have a better sense of smell compared
to men.
Social:
 Men are encouraged to assert power within public
realms/cooperate sectors and demonstrate aggression,
repressing empathy whilst showcasing ambition towards
material gain.
 Women may be subjected to beauty standards set by
societal expectations/media representation,
reinforcing objectification while undercutting
individual capability/talents.
 The different treatment received in relationships may
define the nature of inter-gender experiences across
multiple cultures worldwide.
Cultural:
 Different communities may segregate duties according
to specific gender roles with established bureaucratic
 rules/norms attributed or expected from each gender,
like household chores, parenting style, etc., creating
absolutes for each side at times justified within
patriarchal structures.
 Inter-gender experiences are subject to variations in
local dialects/usage; while languages categorize nouns
based on gender as masculine/feminine/neuter
reflecting individual cultures’ particularities and
standardization forms of communication across its
population.
 In many societies overcoming inequality or recognizing
non-binary constructs based out of single gender
binaries is subject to continued political-correctness
struggles in modern discourse – enforcing the concept
propagated between exclusive binary genders.
Religious Beliefs:
 Certain religions encourage modesty and limit
promiscuity among genders.
 Within some practices or rituals, menstruation
dictates how women should behave/respond within
religious traditions.
 Religions offer distinct paradigms around managing
human sexuality/reproductive capacities while
portraying itself as guidelines for how
society/culture should proceed within established
faiths – this has undoubtedly shaped our collective
viewpoints about gender identity.

In conclusion, there are multifaceted differences

between men and women that are often shaped by a
combination of factors such as biological, societal
expectations/roles, cultural context, religious
associations believed by individuals. Understanding these
differences requires a nuanced approach informed by the
diversity of experiences and decisions made available to
each gender.
2. List similarities between men and women and consider
On what are these perceived similarities based?
eg. biological, social, cultural, or religious beliefs?

While there are differences between men and women

based on biological, social/cultural/religious contexts,
there are also perceived similarities that cross these
categories. Here are some of the similarities between men
and women based on biological, social, cultural or
religious beliefs:
Biological:
 Both men and women have the ability to learn new
things and acquire skills through practice.
 Both genders experience aging-related changes that
affect their physical appearance and health.
 Men and women possess vital organs crucial for
general health, including lungs, kidneys, hearts, and
brains.
Social:
 Both men and women have a need for connection and
social interaction with others.
 Both genders can experience similar psychological
issues such as anxiety and depression which influence
decision making processes similarly across each gender
role.
 There is mutual acknowledgment towards third gender
communities like non-binary & intersex people who seek
legal aid/discrimination-free environments against
wider patriarchal frameworks entrenched within power
structures promoting hetero-normative societal
narratives in place.
Cultural:
 Both men and women face unique sociocultural
challenges constructed by their surrounding
 environment but cope with them through personal agency
reflections practiced within various cultures
recognized globally/multinational corporations prizing
diversity/inclusion/belief in purpose-driven outcomes.
 Folktales/myths/stories held in high regard have many
similar themes/lessons relevant to both genders
irrespective of assigned sex/gender roles suggestive
of behavioral patterns embodying communal
harmony/compassion/recovering human dignity/indulging
professions characterized by future-oriented thinking
– this embodiment occurs across civilizations
worldwide representing collective sensibilities.
 Shared human experiences of
joy/sadness/shame/death/hope/aspirations form
significant realities observed among all genders
irrespective of respective cultures providing
inspiration/support mechanisms towards people affected
by diverse trauma experienced in their lifetime.
Religious Beliefs:
 Theistic traditions often acknowledge sentimental
factors, purity of heart and compassion as essential
factors towards leading righteous lives regardless of
gender specificity, and reflecting universal values
that endeavor towards kindness/empathy benefiting
individuals irrespective of adherence to prescriptive
religion denominations.
 Human rights promoted by different religious/spiritual
traditions profess equality/tolerance complete with
ethical dimensions embracing diversity among human
beings from all affiliations and cultural heritages –
this reflects reliable morality committed to
individual values that supersede any gender-specific
biases propagated within our societies or
institutionalized administration norms.
 Implementation of comprehensive sex
education/promotion of contraception methods endorsed
in various non-religious spiritualist reflect major
intentions carried out across state boundaries
discriminating against routine re-productivity
practices framed around a patriarchal worldview posing
potential reproductive/economic disparity for females
amid conflicting religious sentiments.

In conclusion, while there may be differences

between males/females derived from varying contextual
sources/categories imposed onto specific genders, certain
fundamental similarities unite both groups that help
promote bridging gaps between them transcendence over
regional/national tensions categorically spurred within
different sects. Such collective factors substantiate our
shared humanity bringing us closer to resolving the
issues concerning advocacy efforts relating to equitable
participation/disrupting rigid assumptions defining
femininity/masculinity today.

3. To what extent do assumptions about biological

determined sex differences between men and women
influence popular culture, sayings or beliefs in your
cultural setting?

Assumptions about biological determined sex

differences continue to play a significant role in
shaping popular culture, sayings and beliefs in the
Philippines. Despite ongoing efforts to promote gender
equality and awareness of gender biases, many traditional
norms surrounding gender roles remain deeply entrenched
in Filipino society.
One way this is evident is through sayings that
reinforce strict gender roles. For instance, phrases like
“dalagang Filipina” or “dapat lalaki ang gumagawa nito”
are commonly used to describe desirable female traits,
such as modesty and submissiveness or masculine coded
norms requiring people(male) towards physically oriented
tasks/jobs on account of apparent biologically correct
reasons. These phrases perpetuate negative gender
stereotypes by positioning men and women in rigid social
constructs that dictate appropriate behavior patterns
based on perceived notions stereotypical of their given
identity – disguising scientific legitimacy around their
origin.
In addition, popular media is filled with
representations of stereotypical gender roles that
reinforce sexist notions and norms – where often women
are portrayed as domestic caretakers while men pursue
careers/leadership roles in public domains. Films/TV
shows that portray females as submissive beings expected
to conform to overbearing male expectations resonate
negatively on impressionable youth impressionable to
these seeds of patriarchy; which would detrimentally
affect how they perceive relationships/work
ethics/happiness later down the line.
The notion that women should perform certain
household chores while men handle outdoor work is another
example of how assumptions about biology-driven practices
persist. This continued emphasis on gender roles results
in discrimination against people who do not adhere to
these outdated expectations, such as house-husband role
reversals which aren’t welcome to our traditional
societies.
 On a broader level, there is still a significant pay
gap between genders that can be attributed largely to
traditional concepts, such as women being pushed into
lower-paying jobs or households circling around one
income earner, further restricting opportunities among
minorities/vulnerable communities.

Overall, assumptions around biological determined

sex differences continue to permeate various aspects of
Filipino society, influencing attitudes and beliefs
towards certain gender roles more than ever before.
However, it remains important for us to continuously
question these preconceptions and promote progressive
changes at individual levels towards creating an
inclusive space for all members around us that cultivates
progress displayed via respect/care towards diversity.