FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev.

0 12-February-2021

Study Guide in Gender and Society Module No.1

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STUDY GUIDE FOR MODULE NO. ___

CHAPTER 1: DIFFERENTIATING SEX AND GENDER

The Concept of Sex and Gender
MODULE OVERVIEW

Most of us have been raised with pretty simplistic ideas about sex and gender that there are two
sexes, male and female, and that they align with two genders, man and woman. But with the
increased visibility of transgender, gender non-conforming, and nonbinary folks, many people are
beginning to understand that the categories of sex and gender are far more complicated.
In this module, we’ll break down the difference between sex and gender to give you a better idea
of what each of these terms really mean.

MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Differentiate gender from sexuality

2. Identify the differences between sex and gender

LEARNING CONTENTS

What exactly is sex?

Sex refers to physical or physiological differences between males and females, including both
primary sex characteristics (the reproductive system) and secondary characteristics such as height
and muscularity.

Society typically tells us that there are two sexes: male and female. You may also be familiar with
the fact that some people are intersex or have a difference of sexual development (DSD). DSD is
used to describe chromosomes, anatomy, or sex characteristics that can’t be categorized as
exclusively male or female.

As with names and pronouns, it’s important to refer to people in the manner that they prefer.
Some people are comfortable with the term “intersex” and use it to describe themselves. Others
have moved away from using this term and refer to their condition as a DSD.

How can you determine your sex?

Genitalia
Some believe genitals determine sex, with males having penises and females having vaginas.
however, this definition excludes some people with a DSD. It can also invalidate Trans people who
are non-operative those who don’t want to have bottom surgery or pre- operative. For example, a
transgender man a person who was assigned female at birth and identifies as a man may have a
vagina but still identify as male.

Chromosomes
We’re typically taught that people with XX chromosomes are female and people with XY
chromosomes are male. This excludes folks with a DSD who may have different chromosomal
configurations or other differences in sexual development. It also doesn’t account for the fact that

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Study Guide in Gender and Society Module No.1

Tran’s people often have chromosomes that don’t “match” their sex. A transgender woman, for
example, can be female but still have XY chromosomes.

Primary Sex Characteristics

We tend to associate a predominance of estrogen with females and a predominance of
testosterone with males. It’s important to understand that every person has both of these
hormones. In fact, estradiol, the predominant form of estrogen, is critical to sexual function for
people who were assigned male at birth. Estradiol plays a significant role in sexual arousal, sperm
production, and erectile function. Although hormone replacement therapy is an option for Trans
and gender non-conforming people, a Transman who isn’t on hormones, for example, isn’t any less
male than one who is.

Secondary sex characteristics

Many secondary sex characteristics are easily identifiable. This includes facial hair, breast tissue,
and vocal range. Because of this, they’re often used to make quick assessments about sex. But
secondary sex characteristics vary greatly; regardless of whether someone identifies with the sex
they were assigned at birth. Take facial hair, for example. Some people who were assigned female
at birth may go on to develop facial hair, and some who were assigned male at birth may not grow
any at all.

What is gender?
Gender is a term that refers to social or cultural distinctions associated with being male or female.
Gender identity is the extent to which one identifies as being either masculine or feminine.

Society has traditionally taught us that there are two genders: man and woman. We’re told that
those who are assigned male at birth are men and those who are assigned female at birth are
women. But gender isn’t an either/or scenario. It’s a spectrum. Although a majority of people in our
society do identify as men or women, there’s a wide range of possibilities between and beyond the
two.

Some people identify as no binary, an umbrella term for people whose gender identities don’t align
with the man-woman binary. Others identify as big ender, meaning they identify as both men and
women at varying points, or gender, meaning they don’t identify with any gender.

What’s the difference between gender and sex?

A person’s sex, as determined by his or her biology, does not always correspond with his or her
gender. Therefore, the terms sex and gender are not interchangeable. A baby boy who is born with
male genitalia will be identified as male. As he grows, however, he may identify with the feminine
aspects of his culture. Since the term sex refers to biological or physical distinctions, characteristics
of sex will not vary significantly between different human societies. For example, all persons of the
female sex, in general, regardless of culture, will eventually menstruate and develop breasts that
can lactate. Characteristics of gender, on the other hand, may vary greatly between different
societies. For example, in American culture, it is considered feminine (or a trait of the female
gender) to wear a dress or skirt. However, in many Middle Eastern, Asian, and African cultures,
dresses or skirts (often referred to as sarongs, robes, or gowns) can be considered masculine. The
kilt worn by a Scottish male does not make him appear feminine in his culture.

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Study Guide in Gender and Society Module No.1

ESSAY

1. Write a short essay about one or two events you recall from your childhood that reflected
or reinforced your gender socialization.

RUBRIC

5 (Excellent) 3 (Fair) 1 (Poor)

Excellent creativity and Fair amount of Little or no creativity
Creativity and originality, has creativity and and originality is
Originality appropriate levels of originality displayed. displayed.
within the outline.
Excellent mastery of Understands basic Little or no
subject matter is concepts of the subject understanding of
Understanding of clearly presented. matter, but in-depth subject matter
Subject Matter analysis may be lacking displayed. May or may
or not clearly not have read or
presented. understood material.
Information used Information used Information used
within the video are within the video has within the video has
Relevance highly relevant to the moderate relevance to little or no relevance
points discussed and/ the points discussed to the points discussed
or the topic. and/or the topic. and/or the topic.

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SUMMARY

Gender refers to the widely shared set of expectations and norms linked to how women and men,
and girls and boys, should behave. Unlike 'sex' which refers to the biological and physiological
characteristics that define men and women, gender refers to the socially constructed roles,
behaviours, activities, and attributes that are assigned to men and women in any given society.
These expectations are not fixed but are continually being constructed and reinforced through
social relationships and economic and political power dynamics.

REFERENCES

Rodriguez A., & Rodriguez, A., Gender and Society, C & E Publishing Inc., 2018
https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology/pages/12-1-the-difference-between-sex-and-g
ender

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PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY 5