SOCSCI
How Gender is manifested?
GENDER AND SOCIETY
LESSON 1: GENDER AND SEXUALITY AS A SOCIAL REALITY
A. Gender and Sexuality as a Social Reality
Sex
– is the biological dimension of one’s gender;
“maleness” or “femaleness.”
-It is also referred to as “biological sex” or
“physical sex.”
-Sex is typically determined by examining your
Genitals; It is often assigned at birth.
Hermaphroditism
(from Hermes, a male Greek god, and Aphrodite,
a female Greek Goddess)
– a case where the baby’s genitals possesses both
the features of a male and female organs.
-In modern times, it is called, “Intersexuality.” sex
chromosomes
– protein structures which contain genetic
materials, are also used as biological markers.
hormones – chemicals in our body that are
responsible for sustaining bodily processes
testosterone - associated to sex drive and
aggressions.
Female on the other hand, tend to have higher
levels of estrogen and progesterone, which are
associated to lactation, menstruation and other
female reproductive functions.
Gender – is the social interpretation of sex;
“masculinity,” “femininity,”
- males are typically expected to be masculine,
and females are expected to be feminine.
*Once parents become aware of their baby’s sex
(male or female) through pre-natal procedure such as
ultrasound, they automatically attach social and
cultural meanings to their child’s sex, and set an
expectation in terms of how their child should behave
and how they should treat their child. This social
dimension of one’s sexuality is referred to as gender.
1. Adults surrounding the baby manifests their
social interpretations of the baby’s sex by the
colors assigned to the baby. It is common for
families to buy blue apparels and toys when the
baby is a male, as the color is associated with
“boyhood.” Conversely, female babies are often
assigned the color pink because the color is
associated with “girlhood.” The moment the baby
is born, the name, toys, and apparels are picked
by parents and relatives based on their
interpretation of the baby’s sex.
2. Throughout childhood and adolescence,
assignment becomes more complex as the
expectations go beyond the kinds of clothes worn,
but also in terms of how the person must or must
not behave. There are set of behaviors that all
female individuals must follow and so with the
male individuals, and all are expected to stick to
these behavior that are aligned with their
biological.
Heteronormativity – the phenomenon of
determining the normality of a behavior based on
whether it conforms or not to the expectations
relative to one’s biological sex.
*In the Filipino culture, girls are expected to have
certain characteristics of being gentle, caring, and
loving while boys are encouraged to be strong,
rough, and assertive. These expectations also
extend to how men and women are expected to
behave, the college courses they take, and the
jobs they apply to.
*However, there are people who do not follow
culturally-accepted standards of masculinity and
femininity like girls not wanting to wear dresses and
boys not wanting to play rough sports. This is a natural
variation of the human gender expression. Social and
cultural practices change through time. Just 60 years
ago, women could not wear pants without social
disapproval, and now wearing pants is already an
accepted fashion trend among people of different
genders.
Gender Identity OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION

- it is a sense of who we are. Do we see and “Lesbian” – is a female homosexual; a female who
experience ourselves as a man, a woman, or experiences romantic love or sexual attraction to
neither? other females.

-Typically, males are comfortable identifying as a . “Gay” – is a male homosexual person; a male
man, and females are comfortable identifying as a who experiences romantic love or sexual
woman. attraction to other males.

*However, there are cases wherein a person’s . “Bisexual” – is romantic attraction, sexual
biological sex does not align with one’s gender attraction or sexual behavior toward both males
identity. People with this experience are referred and females, or romantic or sexual attraction to
to as transgenders, such as a male who does not people of any sex or gender identity. This latter
feel comfortable identifying as a man (transgender aspect is sometimes termed as, “pansexuality.”
woman) or a female who is not comfortable
.”Transgender” – an umbrella term for people
identifying as a woman (transgender man).
whose gender identity differs from what is
Transgender people may undergo gender
typically associated with the sex they were
reassignment surgery to align their physical
assigned at birth
characteristics to their gender identity, if budget
warrants. . “Transsexual” – experience a gender identity
inconsistent or not culturally associated with the
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
sex they were assigned at birth.
-pertains to our emotional and sexual attraction to
. “Two-Spirit” – a modern umbrella term by some
a person.
indigenous North Americans to describe gender
-According to PAP, “typically at ages 6 or 8, we variant individuals in their communities, especially
experience or develop attraction to other people. people within indigenous communities who are
seen as having both male and female spirits within
-By adolescence, we already know who we are
them.
attracted to and would experiment through dating
and relationships.” . “Queer” – an umbrella term for sexual and
gender minorities that are not heterosexual.
FORMS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Queer was originally used pejoratively against
. People who are attracted to the opposite sex are those with same sex desires but beginning in the
called, “heterosexuals” or “straight.” late 1980’s, queer scholars and activists began
reclaiming the word.
. People who are attracted to people of the same
sex are called, “homosexual,” or are commonly . “Questioning” – The questioning of one’s gender,
referred to as “gay,” or “lesbian.” sexual identity, sexual orientation, or all three is a
process of exploration by people who may be
. People who are attracted to both sexes, male or
unsure, still exploring, and concerned about
female are called, “bisexual” or “bi.”
applying a social label to themselves for various
LGBT - refers to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and reasons.
transgender community. Presently, it has
. “Intersex” – a variation in sex characteristics
branched to other variants calling itself, LGBTQ+
including chromosomes, gonads, or genitals that do
community. Sometimes, it is also called,” Queer
not allow an individual to be distinctly identified as
Community” or “Rainbow Community.”
male or female.

. “Asexual” – Asexuality (or nonsexuality) is the
lack of sexual attraction to anyone, or low or
absent interest in sexual activity. It may be
considered the lack or sexual orientation, or one
of the variations thereof, alongside
heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality.
Ally – is a person who considers themselves a
friend to the LGBTQ+ community.
. “Pansexual” or “Omnisexuality” – is sexual
attraction, romantic love, or emotional attraction
toward people of any sex or gender identity.
Pansexual people may refer to themselves as
“gender-blind,” asserting that gender and sex are
insignificant or irrelevant in determining whether
they will be sexually attracted to others.
. “Agender” – also called “genderless,” gender-
free,” or “ungendered” people are those who
identify as having no gender or being without any
gender identity. This category includes a very
broad range of identities which do not conform to
traditional gender norms.
. “Gender Queer” – an umbrella term for gender
identities that are not exclusively masculine or
feminine – identities which are thus outside of the
gender binary.
.”Pangender” – they are those who feel they
identify as all genders. The term has a great deal
of overlap with gender queer.
Appreciating Diversity
*According to APA, “nature and nurture play a
complex role in shaping our sexual orientation.”
Homosexuality and heterosexuality are part of the
human sexuality, and in large part of the human
experience. Identifying heterosexual, lesbian, bi,
gay, or transgender is a deeply personal process,
and it is difficult for others to “come out” or for
them to become comfortable enough with their
sexuality that they feel safe to share it with other
people. For others, it comes early in adolescence
while for others, it may take time to understand
and discover themselves.
*Accordingly, “we can only truly tell if a person is
gay, lesbian, or bisexual if the person shares with
us his or her experiences and feelings of attraction
towards them. That is why it is important for
everyone to feel safe as they share their sexuality
since it is a personal and sensitive topic. Coming
out is a long and difficult process.” People who
experience prejudice and discrimination suffer
negative psychological effects (APA).

. “Bigender” – a gender identity where the person

moves between feminine and masculine gender
identities and behaviors, possibly depending on
context. Some bigender individuals express two
distinct “female” and “male” personas, feminine
and masculine respectively; others find that they
identify as two genders simultaneously.

. “Gender Variant” or gender nonconformity – is

behaviour or gender expression by an individual
that does not match masculine and feminine
gender norms. People who exhibit gender
variance may be called gender variant, gender
non-conforming, gender diverse or gender
atypical, and may be transgender, or otherwise
variant in their gender expression. Some intersex
people may also exhibit gender variance.

SOCSCI
GENDER AND SOCIETY
LESSON 2: GENDER AND SEXUALITY ACROSS TIME
Gender and Sexuality Across Time
- Across time, human conception of gender and
sexuality has changed, and keeps changing.
- Archeological artifacts reveal that during the dawn of
civilization, human societies have high regard for
women. The concept of the “divine feminine” (the
sacredness of the woman due to her ability to
conceive children) has prevailed and thus, women are
treated equally with men, which made societies
egalitarian (men and women have equal power and
roles).
- In the pre-colonial Philippines, women played an
important role in the community as shamans or more
popularly called, “Babaylan, “Balian” or “Katalonan”,
from the various ethnic groups of the Philippine
islands. These shamans specialized in communicating,
appeasing, or harnessing the spirits of the dead and
the spirits of nature.
Patriarchy – is from the Greek word “Patriarkhes”
which means “the rule of the father.” It is a social
system where men primarily holds power in both the
public and private spheres. In this social system,
society is organized and maintained in a way that men
rule over women and their children. In the social,
legal, political, and economic spheres, women are
expected to obey and are relegated to house chores,
caring and rearing of children.
- Patrilineal society often follows a patriarchal society,
this means only men can inherit property and the
family name. Women were left with no inheritance
and are expected marry a man who can support her
economically. In fact, women were not allowed to go
to schools, or even to vote, for they are considered as
a weaker sex and should not concern themselves in
learning science and politics.
*Friedrich Engels, a German philosopher and
sociologist, argues that patriarchy came about when
people started having private properties instead of a
communal living.
The development in agriculture and domestication of
animals led to creating product surplus which allows
people to have private property. As a way to control
the excess wealth generated by these advancements,
male dominance was asserted over women so only
the male heir can inherit family wealth.
*Aristotle, Plato and other Greek Philosophers viewed
women as the inferior sex and are properties of men
whose only job was to obey their husbands, bear
children, and take care of the household. They were
forbidden to learn philosophy, politics, and science
Herodotus, a Greek historian, observed the Egyptian
civilization citing that Egyptian women enjoyed higher
social status than Greek men because they can inherit
property and engage in trade and politics.
In China, Confucianism has strict written rules that
dictate how women should conduct themselves. The
written documents titled, “three obedience’s and four
virtues” and “Precepts of women” states that women
should obey their fathers, when married, she is to
obey her husband, and when widowed, she is to obey
her son.
*Women have come a long way since the ancient
times through the feminist movement, however,
patriarchy has taken on subtle forms of oppression
that often go unnoticed such as:
• Sexism – Prejudice, stereotypes, and
discrimination based on sex;
• Gender pay gap – men earn more than
women;
• Underrepresentation in politics, military,
executive positions, etc.;
• Rape on women and the stigma making
women ashamed to report the crime;
• Very conservative expectations on women on
how they behave;
• Unrealistic depictions of women in fiction,
often very sexualized;
• Women do more housework and childcare;
• Boys were trained to be leaders, while women
were trained to do house chores.
Women Empowerment
- Women’s liberation movement, women’s
movement, or feminism is a continuing series of
social movements that aim to challenge the
patriarchal society that creates these oppressive
political structures, beliefs, and practices against
women.
abortion, and other reproductive options should
be available to women because it is their body.
4. Domestic Violence – such as marital rape and
physical abuse are often dismissed by society as
“part of a marriage.” Although we have RA 9262
or Anti-Violence Against Women and their
Children, our culture still dismiss such incidents
as, “away mag-asawa.”
5. Sexual Harassment and sexual violence – The
Center for Women’s Resources estimates that one
woman or child is raped every hour mostly by
someone they know.

-These movements started at different decades in

different countries, some are far more advanced
in their struggle, while others are still starting
their movements.

-The 19th and early 20th century saw the first-wave

of feminism spreading across the western
countries as women demanded for their right to
vote or participate in elections and to be able to
legally own a property.

-- In France, Simone de Beauvoir wrote the, “The

Second Sex” in 1949. It outlined how the
patriarchal society disadvantaged women by
slowly raising her into submission and hindering
their productivity and happiness by relegating
them to housecleaning.

-- Another movement, “Le Mouvement de

Liberacion des femmes” or the women’s
movement was formed. In Europe, women sought
their right for education, right to work, and right
to vote in the 1940’s. Later they also won
women’s right to decide on their own bodies and
their sexualities.

Some Salient Points that Feminism demands:

1. Women Suffrage -

2. Equality in politics and society – for hundred of

years, women’s voices

were silenced.

3. Reproductive rights means that woman is in

control of her body, and she can decide for herself
on what she sees is best for her. Contraception,
 shaping the social and political landscape in
the past, but it also placed the burden on the
men to provide for the family.

- Society has changed since then. Jobs available

for everyone is not so much dependent on
SOCSCI
physical strength, making these jobs
GENDER AND SOCIETY accessible to women as well. Many mothers
also have a job now, so they also provide for
LESSON 3. GENDER AND SEXUALITY AS A SUBJECT OF INQUIRY
the family. Gender studies would ask us a
question, Is it still right to say that men are the
Gender Studies – is a field of study concerned about providers of the family when both parents
how reproductive roles are interpreted and negotiated now work and earn money?
in the society through gender.
Diversity and Inclusion
Why do we need to study gender?
- Gender roles are socially constructed and are
- Gender studies emerged from the need to not something that we are “born with.” A
analyze how gender, sex, and sexuality affect young boy is always encouraged to be brave,
our lives, especially how it creates gender to play tough, and to not cry. On the other
inequality. It came about in the mid 1970’s hand, girls are discouraged from playing
after the second wave of feminism as a way tough, and being loud, but to be gentle and
to challenge the male –centered knowledge. soft. A child who does not follow these gender
roles is reprimanded by parents and society.
Gender role/sex role
That is how gender norm is reinforced on
– are sets of culturally defined behaviors such as individuals during the “socialization period.”
masculinity and femininity. These roles are not fixed
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people
such that the “culturally-defined behaviors” for men
often do not fit in this traditional binary
and women may be very different 50 years ago of very
gender roles, so they are often reprimanded,
different for people from other countries or tribe.
criticized, bullied, and discriminated. They are
-In a binary system of viewing gender roles, we only often subjected to violence and hate because
see the male and female where men are expected to they do not fit in what society calls, “normal.”
be masculine, while women are expected to be
- As a subject of inquiry, Gender Studies utilizes
feminine. This is the norm or accepted standards of
a systematic approach in identifying problems,
how to behave like a woman (mahinhin), or how to
making hypotheses and assumptions,
behave like a man (matipuno/matapang). In gender
gathering data, and making conclusions. This
studies, we are asked to question or challenge these
systematic process is referred to as the
kinds of social expectations, gender roles, and gender
research process.
norms.
APPROACHES IN RESEARCH

1. Qualitative approach focuses more on the

- Gender studies is not just for women or all
meaning created and interpretations made by
about women, it is about everyone. It
people about their own personal experiences.
explores how are gender roles have changed
For example, if you want to know how
throughout history, and how it created
women, men, LGBTQ+ live their lives and how
inequalities.
they make sense of their lived experiences.
- A hundred years ago, women were not Methods used are hermeneutics (meaning of
allowed to study at universities since their role literary texts) phenomenology (lived
was only restricted to domestic/household experience), ethnography and ethno
sphere. This repressed women’s potential in
 methodology (participant observation on
people’s beliefs, practices, etc.).

2. . Quantitative approach – focuses more on

characterizing a population (total no. of
individual in a group) or a sample (a sub-group
within the population), and in some cases
making generalization about the population
based on the behavior of a sample. It uses
statistics greatly. Some of its methods are;
survey, experimental, interview, etc.

Sample of a Gender Studies