FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev.

0 11-February-2021

Study Guide in Gender and Society Module No.1

STUDY GUIDE FOR MODULE NO. ___

1

CHAPTER I: Differentiating sex and gender

A. 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

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Study Guide in Gender and Society Module No.1

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 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
Trusted Source 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 Tran’s
man 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 non-binary, an umbrella term for people whose gender identities
don’t align with the man-woman binary. Others identify as bi-gender, meaning they identify
as both men and women at varying points, or agender, 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

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Study Guide in Gender and Society Module No.1

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...

SEX GENDER
Primarily refers to physical attributes-body
Is the composite of attitudes and behavior of
characteristics notably sex organ which are
men and women (masculinity and femininity)
distinct in majority of individuals.
Is learned and perpetuated primarily
Is biologically determined – by genes and
through: the family, education, religion
hormones media; thus it
(where dominant) and is an acquired identity

Is relatively fixed/constant through time and Because it is socialized, it may be variable

across cultures through time and across cultures.

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Study Guide in Gender and Society Module No.1

LEARNING ACTIVITY

ESSAY

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

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Study Guide in Gender and Society Module No.1

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-gender

http://spl.ids.ac.uk/sexuality-and-social-justice-toolkit/1-issues-and-debates/what-
link-between-sexuality-and-gender

https://doh.gov.ph/node/1378

https://www.healthline.com/health/sex-vs-gender#gender-expression

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