University of the Philippines Visayas

TACLOBAN COLLEGE

Soc Sci 105: Gender Issues in Philippine Society

Second Semester AY 2022-2023

Module 1: Introduction to Sex and Gender

Week 3b: Masculine Domination

Introduction

“Masculine domination can perpetuate itself” (Bourdieu, 1997, p. 200). Bourdieu (2001, p. 92)
highlights how the old structures of sexual division of labor contributes to the “permanence” of
masculine domination “in and through change.” Despite women’s movement from private to
public spheres in late modern societies, their careers and jobs operate through three practical
principles: “(1) extension of domestic functions, (2) men take leadership positions while women
are confined to subordinate and ancillary functions, and (3) men handle technical objects and
machines.” (Bourdieu, 2001, p. 94). In this module, we will explore why and how patriarchy
persists amid economic and social transformations.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this guide, you should be able to:

1. Describe patriarchy and explain how this influences society’s views on biological sex and
gender;
2. Explain how women reinforce masculine domination; and
3. Discuss how patriarchal institutions perpetuate masculine domination.

Study Schedule

The table below shows your learning activities for Week 3.

Activity Number Task Allotted Time Mode

Activity 1 Think and reflect 60 minutes Asynchronous

Activity 2 Class discussion 90 minutes Face-to-face (Sep 14)

Activity 3 Discussion forum Asynchronous

Now proceed with Activity 1 below and the rest of the module.

Page 1 of 3
Activity 1: Think and reflect (1 hour)

1) Watch this video:

● TEDx Talks (2014, October 31). Patriarchy -- power and gender in the 21c | Ananya
Roy | (Video file). TEDxMarin Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=6oOevLDtPJo
2) After watching the video, reflect on these questions:
● What is patriarchy?

● How is this manifested in our daily lives? Think of specific examples.

● How is this reinforced and maintained?

3) Be ready to share your insights with the class.

Activity 2: Think and reflect (1 hour)

1) Read Bourdieu’s “Masculine Domination Revisited”

2) After reading, answer these questions:

● How do women contribute to their own subjugation?

● Why is masculine domination often unquestioned?

● Does gendered socialization contribute to masculine domination?

3) Be ready to share your insights with the class.

Activity 3: Class discussion (1.5 hours)

1) Be ready to share your insights and questions during our face-to-face sessions on Mar
14, 2023.

Concluding note

Patriarchy has been regarded as the natural “order of things.” Gendered socialization and
objective social structures, including norms and standards, sexual division of labor in the
household and workplace, and systems of relations reinforce masculine domination as natural,
self-evident, and legitimate (Bourdieu, 2001, p. 8). Through our daily interactions and practices,
we perpetuate gender inequality. Women also contribute to their own subjugation. If so, how
then can we foster gender equality? What conditions can promote a new gender order?

Learning resources

Page 2 of 3
Bourdieu, P. (1996-1997). Masculine Domination Revisited. Berkeley Journal of Sociology. Vol.
41, 189-203.

Bourdieu, P. (2001). Masculine Domination. Cambridge: Polity Press

Hooks, b. (n.d). Understanding Patriarchy.

https://imaginenoborders.org/pdf/zines/UnderstandingPatriarchy.pdf

Facio, Alda. (2013). “What is Patriarchy?” in Patriarchy: Cases and Analysis from Everyday Life.
Werise-toolkit.org. pp. 8-13. Retrieved from
https://werise-toolkit.org/en/system/tdf/pdf/tools/Case-Studies-on-Patriarchy.pdf?file=1&force=

TEDx Talks (2014, October 31). Patriarchy -- power and gender in the 21c | Ananya Roy |
(Video file). TEDxMarin Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oOevLDtPJo

Page 3 of 3