GEN 010: Gender and Society

Module #2 Teacher’s Guide

Lesson Title: Sex and Gender: What They Are and How They Materials:
Differ Student Activity Sheet (SAS)

Lesson Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, I will be able to References:
1. Differentiate the concepts of sex and gender Lindsey, L.L. (2016) Gender
2. Explain why these differences are important in Roles: A Sociological
understanding other concepts such as sex orientation Perspective
and gender roles.

A. LESSON PREVIEW

Introduction (2 mins)

Welcome to Lesson 2 of your Gender and Society Class. Today we are going to learn about Sex
and Gender and the many other interesting topics that go with them. We will also find out how
Status and Role can influence Sex and Gender. As we course through our lesson, we will 1)
differentiate gender and sex; 2) define what stereotypes are and how they can be negative or
positive; and 3) discuss how sexism develops. Now, you’re all set. Let the learning begin.

B. MAIN LESSON

Content Notes (13 mins)

You can make use of a highlighter to highlight important details in the text. This will
help you study effectively.

Statuses and roles define our actions as individuals. Combined with established norms, they
prescribe our behavior and interaction with other people. But there is a downside to this. When
normative role behavior or normally accepted actions become strictly defined our freedom of
action is often compromised. These rigid definitions are associated with developing stereotypes.
Stereotypes are oversimplified conceptions that people who occupy the same status group

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 GEN 010: Gender and Society
Module #2 Teacher’s Guide

share common traits. For example, a girl who wears short skirts and shows skin is automatically
considered easy and flirtatious. Stereotypes can be positive or negative. Male and female
statuses are often stereotyped according to the traits they are assumed to have. Women are
stereotyped as inconsistent and unreliable because they possess hormones that fuel
unpredictable emotional outbursts.

The application of negative stereotypes can result in sexism. Sexism is the belief that the female
status is less important than that of a male. Males are not immune to the consequences of
sexism, but females are more likely to experience it because their status sets are more
stigmatized than those of males. This system of inferiority promotes discrimination in sex, where
the females are the usual victims. The discrimination in sex is often caused by patriarchy.
Patriarchy is a social system which adheres to androcentrism or male centeredness. In short, the
males are in control in the society. Sexism is reinforced when patriarchy and androcentrism
combine to perpetuate beliefs that gender roles are biologically determined and therefore
unalterable.

To understand our topic better, let us try to differentiate sex and gender. Sex refers to the
biological characteristics distinguishing male and female. This definition emphasizes male
and female differences in chromosomes, anatomy, hormones, reproductive systems, and other
physiological aspects. Gender refers to social, cultural, and psychological traits linked to
males and females through particular social contexts. Sex makes us male or female; gender
makes us masculine or feminine. Therefore, sex is an ascribed status because a person is born
with it, but gender is an achieved status because it must be learned.

Check for Understanding (5 mins)

You are doing well! Next, you need to answer the activity below. This will assess your learning
about the lesson.

Write T if the statement is true and F it is false. Check your answers based on the Key to
Corrections found at the end of this SAS. Write your answer before each number.

1. Patriarchy refers to the level of male centeredness of a society.

2. Gender refers to the biological characteristics distinguishing males and females.

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 GEN 010: Gender and Society
Module #2 Teacher’s Guide

3. Differences in anatomy, chromosomes, reproductive systems and other physiological aspects

pertain to sex.
4. When you describe someone as nerdy, you are actually engaged in stereotyping.
5. Only women experience sexism.
6. Women are more likely to experience sexism compared to men.
7. Psychological traits pertaining to men and women is linked to gender.
8. Sex is an example of an achieved status.
9. Patriarchy and androcentrism are synonymous.
10. Status by ascription is something you are born with like gender.

C. LESSON WRAP-UP

Frequently Asked Questions

Since we know you have questions about this lesson, we write 2 items and answer it on your
behalf so it will be clear to you. Please read the following questions and the corresponding answers to
it.

Q: What is sexism?
A. Sexism is a belief that the opposite sex is lesser or inferior compared to yours. If you are male
for example, you believe that females are lesser than you and vice versa.

Q: Who are the usual victims of sexism?

A: Sexism can victimize males or females in general, but it is the females who suffer more from it.
This happens because our society haa always been biased towards the females especially during the
earlier period. However, the females are slowly gaining recognition in terms of claiming equal standing
with the males.

Thinking about Learning (5 mins)

A). Learning Tracker
As part of the learning tracker, we prepared some questions to reflect on, please carefully read
the question below and give your honest answer.

What felt confusing about what you learned today?

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 GEN 010: Gender and Society
Module #2 Teacher’s Guide

Did you have challenges in today’s learning? How did you overcome those challenges?

Job well done; you have reached the end of this module! We are looking forward to more meaningful
learning with you.
KEY TO CORRECTIONS

1. F 6. T
2. F 7. T
3. T 8. F
4. T 9. F
5. F 10. F

TEACHER-LED ACTIVITIES

This session is an at-home learning session for the students. Make sure to do the following:

1. Check and grade collected SAS and other input from students.
2. Schedule phone calls/virtual calls/virtual chats to individual students or small groups of
students to monitor work, provide guidance, answer questions, and check understanding.

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