GENDER AND SOCIETY

Lesson Objectives:

a. differentiate sex, gender, and sexuality.

b. discuss the implication of these differences.
c. contemplate about your own sexuality and on the importance of appreciating sexual diversity.

Gender Sensitivity and Awareness

Goals

1. to gain deeper understanding in the importance of gender equality in all spheres of development.
2. standing on the concept of gender and development and on how gender roles affect relationships
between men and women in the society.

Gender and Development

-approach focuses on the socially constructed basis on differences between men and women and
emphasizes the need to challenge existing gender roles and relation.

Two Major Framework

a. Gender role- focuses more on the femaleness and maleness of someone.
b. Social Relation Analysis- is the hierarchy on what position reach.
ex. primary functionalities in an organization

SEX
- the biological aspect of sex; maleness and
femaleness.
- more on chromosomes, hormonal profile,
internal and external sex organs.
- remains the same regardless of time and
culture.
- vagina for female and penis for male
GENDER
- social characteristics
- characteristics that a society or culture
delineates as masculine and feminine.
- gender roles, expectation may differ across
time and culture.
- gender distinctions are created by social
norms.

SEXUALITY - the totality of our own experience of our sex and gender.

SEX CHROMOSOMES - chromosomal makers that distinguish females (XX) from male (XY) species.

INTERSEX - individuals with composite genitals (possessing some characteristics of both male and female
genitals).

HETERONORMATIVITY - refers to a phenomenon of determining the normality of a behavior based on

whether it conforms or not to the expectations relative to one’s biological sex.

HERMAPHRODITISM - is when the baby’s genitals appear to be conglomerate of male and female organs
such that it may be difficult to classify the baby’s sex without further examination.

TRANSGENDERS - are cases wherein a person’s biological sex does not align with one’s gender identity
and may undergo gender reassignment surgery to sign their physical characteristics.

NORMS - unwritten rules of behavior shared by members of a given group or society.

-are standards for what kind of behavior acceptable.

Example:

- greeting people when you see them.

 - offering help to someone carrying something heavy
- saying thank you for favors

Types of Norms

Mores - moral value or belief

- right and wrong generally produce strong feelings.

ex. truthfulness, honesty, etc.

Folkways - most mild type of norm.

- no strong punishment or strong issue.

Taboos - are behaviors that are completely forbidden in any circumstance. The violation in taboo is far more
extreme than mores.

- it is usually discussed by the members of the community.

ex. Cannibalism

Laws - more formal and consisting of consequences.

ex. murder, jay walking, homicide

LEGAL BASIS ON THE STUDY OF GAD

By Henrylito D. Tacio

“Women hold up half the sky,” so goes a Chinese proverb. So much so that in development, gender
equality plays a crucial role. And this term “gender” does not allude simply to women or men but to the
relationship between two sexes and the way it is socially constructed.

In time, gender, and development (GAD) came into existence. “GAD focuses on the principle that
development is for all,” explains an expert on the subject. “Everyone in society, female or male, has the right
to equal opportunities to achieve a full and satisfying life. Women and men enjoy the same conditions for
realizing their full human rights and potentials to contribute to development as well as benefit from the
results.”

The 1987 Constitution states three prominent provisions. The Declaration of Principles Article II
Section 14 asserted that: “The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building and shall ensure the
fundamental equality before the law of women and men.”

Article XIII, Section 14 also stated that: “The State shall protect working women by providing safe
and healthful working conditions, taking into account their maternal functions, and such facilities and
opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their full potential in the service of
the nation.”

Finally, Article XIII, Section 11, also said that: “The State shall adopt an integrated and
comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and
other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the
under-privileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State shall endeavor to provide free
medical care to paupers.”

Following from constitutional provisions and the subsequent efforts to broaden its principles, numerous
legislations were enacted that relates to the various aspects of women and gender concerns. The list included
the following:
• Executive Order 227: The New Family Code of the Philippines
• Republic Act 6725: An Act Strengthening the Prohibition on Discrimination against Women with
Respect to Terms and Conditions of Employment, Amending 135 of the Labor Code, as Amended.
• Joint Circular No. 2012-01 (GAD Plans and Budgets and Accomplishment Report Implementing
MCW)
• Republic Act 7877: Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, which declares sexual harassment unlawful in the
employment, education and training environment;
• Republic Act 6949: This declares March 8 of every year as a working holiday to be known as
National Women’s Day;
• Republic Act 6972: It mandates the establishment of day care centers in every barangay;
• Republic Act 7322: It increases the maternity benefits of women in the private sector;
• Republic Act 7655: It increases the minimum wage of domestic helpers;
• Republic Act 10361: More popularly known as Batas Kasambahay; and
• Republic Act 9262: Anti-Violence Against Women and Children

Other laws and legislations include Anti-Rape Law (elevation of rape as crime against person),
Women in Nation-Building Law (allocation of budget for women from development funds from foreign
governments and multilateral institutions), Anti Mail-Order-Bride Law (making the practice unlawful),
Repatriation Law (repatriation of Filipinas who lost citizenship by marriage in case of need), Non-
Discrimination Law in Labor Code (women protection in hiring and pay), Comprehensive Agrarian Reform
Law (equal rights for women to be recipients of land), and Military Training Equality (women can enter the
military and police schools and be provided with the same facilities

Section 5 of the Women in Development and Nation Building Act states: “Women of legal age,
regardless of civil status, shall have the capacity to act and enter contracts which shall in every respect be
equal to that of men under similar circumstances.

“In all contractual situations where married men have the capacity to act, married women shall have
equal rights. To this end:

(1) Women shall have the capacity to borrow and obtain loans and execute security and credit
arrangement under the same conditions as men.
(2) Women shall have equal access to all government and private sector programs granting agricultural
credit, loans and non-material resources and shall enjoy equal treatment in agrarian reform and land
resettlement programs;
(3) Women shall have equal rights to act as incorporators and enter into insurance contracts; and
(4) Married women shall have rights equal to those of married men in applying for passport, secure visas
and other travel documents, without need to secure the consent of their spouses.

“In all other similar contractual relations, women shall enjoy equal rights and shall have the capacity to
act which shall in every respect be equal to those of men under similar circumstances,” the section said.

GAD - GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT

CHED MEMO NO.1 S. 2015

- establishing the policies and guidelines on GAD in the CHED and Higher Education Institutions
(HEI’s) specifies the oversight and monitoring functions of CHED to recognize and assess GRC’s
among HEI’s with expertise in GAD.

CEDAW (1998)
 - The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women is an
international legal instrument that requires countries to eliminate discriminations against women
and girls in all areas and promotes women’s and girls’ equal rights.

R.A 7192 and IRR (1998)

- the intent of the act is to promote the integration of women as full and equal partners with men in
development and nation building.

Beijing Platform for Action

- flag 12 key areas where urgent action was needed to ensure greater equality and opportunities for
women and men, girls, and boys. It also laid out concrete ways for countries to bring about
change.

R.A 9710 MAGNA CARTA FOR WOMEN (2009)

- Is comprehensive women’s human rights law that seeks to eliminate discriminations against
women by recognizing protecting, fulfilling, and promoting of Filipino women, especially those
in marginalized sector.
LESSON 2:

Gender Identity

- what we see and experience to ourselves as a man, a woman or neither.

- typically, males are comfortable identifying as a man and females are comfortable
identifying as woman.

Transgenders

- they undergo surgery.

- males who is not comfortable identifying as a man (transgender woman).
- females who is not comfortable identifying as a woman (transgender man).

Sexual Orientation

- another aspect of our genders pertains to our emotional and sexual attraction to a person.
- according to Psychological Association of the Philippines, typically at ages 6-8, we
experience or develop attraction to other people.
- by adolescents, we already know who we are attracted to and would experiment through
dating and relationships.

Heterosexuals or Straight

- people who are attracted to the opposite sex.

Homosexual

- people who are attracted to people of the same sex.

- Gay or Lesbian

Bisexual or Bi

- people who are attracted to both sexes, male or female.

LGBT

- refers to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender in the community.

GENDER SEXUALITY ACROSS TIME

Patriarchy - social system where men primarily hold power in the political and the private spheres.

Feminism - continuing series of social movements that aim to challenge the patriarchal society that creates
these oppressive political structures, beliefs, and practices against women.

Historical Views on Gender

Greek - Aristotle, Plato and other Greek philosophers viewed women as the inferior sex and are properties of
men whose only job is to obey their husbands, bear children and care of the household.

- they were forbidden to learn philosophy, politics, and science.

Egypt - Herodotus, a Greek historian, observed the Egyptian civilization citing that Egyptian women enjoyed
higher social status than Greek women because they can inherit property and engage in trade and politics.
However, Greek influence quickly spread in Egypt through the conquest of Alexander the Great across Asia
and Africa.
China - Confucianism has stringent written rules that dictate how women should conduct themselves.

Written Documents

 Three Obedience’s and Four Virtues

 Precepts of Women
-states that women should obey their father, when married she is to obey her husband, and when
widowed she is to obey her son.
 Gender biases in ancient patriarchal societies were very strict, heavily enforced and often
violent. Imagine not being able to go to school just because you are a woman, not being able
to express your opinion on important matters even when it concerns your future and not being
able to say NO to any man.

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 housework and childcare
 boys were trained to be leaders while women were trained to do house chores.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

- Women’s liberation movement, or feminism is a continuing series of social movements that aim
to challenge the patriarchal society that creates these oppressive political structure, beliefs, and
practices against women.
- during 19th and 20th century, first wave feminism spread across the western countries, as women
demanded for their right to vote or participates on elections and to be able to legally own
property.

Simone de Beauvior wrote the book “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.
 this inspired many women to write and speak their truths, such as Betty Freidan (The Feminine
Mystique, 2963), Kate Millet (Sexual Politics, 1969), and Germaine Greer (The Female Eunuch,
1970).
- Beauvoir’s book was instrumental in awakening women about the plight as the “wife servant” to their
husbands in her famous quote “one is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.”

Le Movement de Liberation des Femmes or the women’s liberation movement was formed in Europe,
and they sought the right to education, right to work and right to vote in the 1940’s.

To put simply, feminism demands equality. Here are few salient points that feminism demand:

1. Women Suffrage - women are not allowed to vote before because they were viewed as irrational and
temperamental and therefore, not able to make rational decisions.
 2. Equality in Politics and Society
3. Reproductive Rights
4. Domestic Violence
5. Sexual harassment and sexual violence
6. Other rights include divorce their husbands, the right to make decisions on her pregnancy, equitable
wages and equal employment opportunity.
Gender Studies - a field of study concerned about how reproductive roles are interpreted and
negotiated in the society through gender.
Social Research - the process of investigating social realities.
Research Approach - the orientation in understanding social realities. This can be qualitative
(interpretative) and quantitative (deductive), or both.
Ethics Research- these are the considerations in conducting research to make sure that the well-
being of the participants are ensured, and that the outcome of the study is sound without undue harm
to people involved.

Qualitative approach - focuses more on meanings created and interpretations made by people about their
own personal or vicarious experiences.

Methods:

A. Phenomenology - conducting intensive interviews with individuals who have experienced a

particular event and understanding their “lived experience”.
B. Hermeneutics - understanding the meaning of texts (literary works, art works) and what they convey
about human realities; and
C. Ethnography and Ethnomethodology - immersing in a community and taking note of their
experiences, beliefs, attitudes, and practices.

Quantitative approach - focuses more on characterizing a population (total number of individuals in a

group) or a sample (a sub-group within the population), and in some cases, generalizing about the population
based on the behavior of a sample.

Methods:

A. Survey- collecting information from a sample; and

B. Experiment- creating actual set- ups to observe behavior of people in a control group (a group
without any treatment).

Ethics in Gender and Sexuality Research

Ethical Principles - are principles to remember in conducting gender and sexuality researches, because they
make sure that people involved in the research are protected from harm.

* The following are the principles to remember:

Informed Consent - researchers should make sure that the participants in the study are aware of the purpose
and processes of the study they are participating in. they should also ensure that only those participants who
agree (in writing) will be included, and that they shall not force any participant to join.

Confidentiality and Anonymity - researchers should not reveal any information provided by the
participants, much so, their identity to anyone who are not concerned with the study. All data gathered from
surveys or interviews should also be placed in a secure location or filing system.
Non- maleficence and beneficence- a study should do no harm (non- maleficence) to anyone. Especially the
researches involving humans, a study should be beneficial (beneficence) for it to be worth implementing.

Distributive Justice- any study should not disadvantage a particular group, especially the marginalized and
the oppressed (e.g., poor people, women, LGBTQ+, THE ELDERLY). The benefits of a study should be for
all.

BIOMEDICAL PERSPECTIVE IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY

1. Reproduction - process of producing of spring.

2. Genitals - external sex organs
3. Primary sex characteristic - sex characteristics that are present at birth.
4. Secondary sex - sex characteristics that emerge during puberty.

The Biological Female

A. External
 Vulva - all external genital structures taken together.
 Mons Veneris - pads od fatty tissue between pubic bone and the skin.
 Labia Majora - outer lips surrounding all the other structures.
 Prepuce - clitoral hood (foreskin above and covering the clitoris.
 Clitoris – glan (head), shaft, and cruca (root), the clitoris is sensitive to simulation.
 Labia Minora - inner lips surrounding the vestibule where sweat and oil glands, extensive blood
vessels, and nerve endings are located.
 Vestibule - area surrounding the urethral opening and vagina, which is highly sensitive with
extensive blood vessels and nerve endings.
 Urethral Opening - end of tube connecting to bladder and used for urination.
 Vaginal Opening- also called introitus; and
 Perineum- area of skin separating the genitalia from the anus; distance is less in females than
males.
B. Internal
 Vagina - collapsible canal extending from vaginal opening back and upward into body to cervix
and uterus. During arousal, it is engorged with blood. This aids its expansion and triggers the
release of lubricants from vaginal mucosa.
 Cervix- small end of uterus to which vagina leads. It is the opening in cervix leading to interior
of uterus.
 Uterus-womb, organ within pelvic zone where fetus is carried.
 Fallopian tubes-carry eggs cells from ovaries to uterus, this is where fertilization occurs; and
 Ovaries-produce estrogen and progesterone. estrogen influences female sex characteristics and
initiates menstrual cycle. progesterone aids in regulation of menstrual cycle and promotes mature
development of uterine lining to allow for zygote implantation. also produce ova, eggs cells, and
bring them to maturity. as many as 1 million immature ova are present at birth, with about 400-
450 are typically brought to maturity and released into fallopian tubes.

Puberty
Menstrual Phase - this occurs if the ovum is not fertilized and does not implant itself into the uterine
lining.
Proliferative Phase - this occurs when the hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to released
FHS that stimulates the ovaries to produce estrogen and causes ova to mature in in the ovarian
follicles.
Secretory phase. it occurs when the pituitary gland releases LH that causes ovary to release a mature
ovum and causes the remaining portion of the follicle to develop into the corpus luteum.
 Female secondary sexual characteristics emerge after Puberty:
1. Widening of hips and pelvis - accommodates giving birth, but also results in downwards
shift in center of gravity.
2. Enlargement of breasts-at puberty, both the glandular and fatty tissues of the breasts
develop considerably. differences in the amount of fatty tissue. it is also not uncommon
for one of a woman breast to a slightly larger than the other. the glandular tissue of the
breasts responds to sex hormones, and the breast are involved in a women’s sexual
arousal. the glandular tissue produces a milk toward the end of pregnancy and after
childbirth in response hormone levels.

MORE FEMALE CHARACTERISTICS:

 Generally shorter than men.

 Greater proportion of body weight composed of fat.
men;
 Two X chromosomes reduces expressions of many sex linked conditions; and
 Lower mortality rate at every age and longer projected lifespan than men.

THE BIOLOGICAL MALE

The male sexual anatomy is designed for the production and delivery of sperm for fertilization of the
females’ ovum. puberty signals the final development the primary and accessory organs that support
reproduction.

A. The male external genitalia consist of the following structures:

 Prepuce - foreskin covering head of penis, removed in male circumcision.
 Penis - glands (head), shaft, and root. The glands are particularly sensitive to stimulation.
running the length of the penis is the urethra surrounded by the spongy body and two
cylindrical chambers known as the cavernous bodies. During arousal, these become engorged
blood, resulting in erection.
 Corona – rim of glands where it arises from shaft.
 Frenulum - thin strip of spin connecting glans and shaft on underside of penis.
 Urethral Opening - found on head of penis is the end of tube connected to bladder and used
for urination. it is also tube to which internal structures deliver semen by which male
ejaculates; and
 Perineum - area of skin separating the genitalia from the anus, distance is greater in males
than females.
B. The male internal reproductive organs:
 Testes – produce androgen, particularly large quantities of testosterone, which greatly
influence male development and drive sexual motivation; also produce sperm cells in virtually
unlimited quantity over the entire course of the lifespan.
 Vas Deference –travels from testicle toward urethra carrying sperm.
 Seminal Vesicles – two glands that produce alkaline fluid rich in fructose sugar, comprising
some 70% of semen volume. alkaline nature may stimulate sperm to start self-propulsion and
connect with vas connect with vas deferens forming ejaculatory ducts.
 Ejaculatory Ducts - connect vas deferens to urethra.
 Prostate - gland producing alkaline secretions that account for about 30% of semen volume.
alkaline nature may help counteract otherwise, acidic environment of urethra and vagina
making them more hospitable for sperm. fluid passes through a series of ducts along wall of
urethra; and
  Urethra – tube within penis that carries sperm and semen the rest of the way to the opening of
the penis.

Male Harmones

The testosterone is the major male hormone produced mainly by the testes, but there are other glands
called the adrenal glands that also produce some testosterone. In case a man has lost his testes, these glands
would continue to produce testosterone to support the male physical appearance. Testosterone is responsible
for the growth and development of a boy during adolescence and for the development of sperm and
secondary sexual characteristics.

Male sexual characteristics that emerged during puberty:

 No monthly cycle.
 elongation of vocal cords (lower voice);
 broader shoulders; and
 deeper chest cavity.

OVULATION - the process when a mature ovum is released from the ovary and travels to the
fallopian tube for possible fertilization.

FERTILIZATION- union of the sperm and ovum.

PREGNANCY- the process when a mature offspring develops within the mother’s womb.

CHART FOR CONTRACEPTIONS:

Male Condom - rubber sheath that fits over the penis.

- rolled over the penis.

- 80-85 percent effective
- low cost, easily accessible and reduces risk of STD’s/ STI’s.
- do not use with oil- based lubricants such as creams and lotions.
- can be effective in prevention of STI’s and HIV’s and AIDS.

Implantable Hormone Device - continuous release of hormones

- implant of the capsule in the upper arm; done by the doctor.

Calendar Method - women predict the day of ovulation by keeping a calendar of the length or each
menstrual cycle.

- allow women to keep track of “safe” days for sex.

- theoretically, 85 percent but, about 60 percent.
- no cost and under the control of the woman.
- woman must keep tract with the help of a calendar.

Sterilization

- vasectomy from males and tubal ligation for females

- passageway for the sperm or the egg cell surgically tied.
- theoretically, 100 percent: but expectations have been known to take place.
- highly effective, permanent, and one-time expense.
- doctor performs an operation.

Birth Control Pill - contains synthetic estrogen.

 - alters natural ovulation cycle.
- theoretically 99-100 percent, but women have conceived on the “pill”.
- low cost, easily available and controlled by the woman.
- taken daily after menstrual cycle begins.

Birth Control Injection - given in the first days of the menstruation and then every 2-3 months.

- given by the doctor.

Withdrawal - removal of the penis from the vagina before ejaculation.

- prevents the semen from going into the vagina.

- theoretically, 85 percent but in reality, about 70 percent.
- no cost under control of the man and the woman involved.
- dependent on the man.

Intrauterine Device - inserted inside the uterus by a doctor.

- 95 to 98 percent
- long lasting and relatively inexpensive
- inserted by the doctor in the first few days of menstruation; should be examined every few
months.

* In addition, younger woman who become pregnant who face a higher risk than older women in developing
several other complications. These complications can be any or a combination of the following
manifestations:

 excessive vomiting
 severe anemia
 hypertension
 convulsions
 difficulty in breastfeeding (if the girls is too young to produce milk)
 premature and low birth weight babies
 infection
 prolonged labor and
 high maternal or mortality of death