Lesson 2: Gender and Sexuality across Time

Objectives:
a. Determine the historical roots of the understanding of gender and sexuality;
b. Show appreciation of how this understanding evolved through time affecting
various aspects of human life;
c. Perform a play corresponds to the historical view on gender and sexuality.
Analyses:
1. Let us recall our society during the ancient times, do you think that there’s an
equal treatment for men and women?
2. What were some discriminations that encountered by women before?
3. In our generation today, do you think there are still discriminations and
inequality experienced by men and women?
Abstraction:

The society itself become more advanced in spreading pieces of information that
are essential for everyone. These ICTs that we have today are our platforms to
share ideas that are relevant to political and social conditions compare before
where people have limited source of information. Today our ideas are
transforming and as time evolves, our idea about gender and sexuality has been
changing.

Historical Accounts through Archaeological Artifacts

- Revealed that during the Dawn of Civilization the human society have high
regard to Women. (Meaning in the past life, the existence of women were
valued.)
- It happened because of the concept of Divine Feminine (women are sacred
due to their ability to conceive child)
- This concept lead to Egalitarian society (men and women have equitable
powers and roles.)

However, paternity changed the human view probably during Agricultural Era.
Societies disregard the Egalitarian and consider men over other genders to
be more appreciated due to world public works.

HOW DID THE CONCEPTUALIZATION OF GENDER AND SEXUALITY

CHANGED?
Patriarchy
- From the Greek word “Patriarkhes” the rule of the father.
- Social system where men primarily holds power.
- Men rule women and their children. They are expected to lead while women
are the ones to obey the decision.
Patrilineal Society
- Follows patriarchal society.
- Only men inherent property and the family name.
- During this time women, were prohibited in going school, voting, and learning
science.

Historical Views on Gender

Greeks
- Aristotle, Plato, and other Greek Philosophers viewed “Women as the Inferior
Sex”
- Obey household, bear children, and take care of households.
Egypt
- During Egyptian Civilization, Egyptian women enjoyed higher social status
than Greek women because they inherit property and engage in trade and
politics.
China
- Confucianism has stringent written rules that women should abide the written
documents title “Three Obedience’s and Four Virtues” and “Precepts of
Women”
- It stated that women should obey their father, when they married they should
obey their husband, and when they widowed they should obey their son.

Feminist Movement (Women Empowerment)

Women’s liberation Movement (Feminist Movement)
- Social movement that aims to challenge the patriarchal society that creates
these oppressive political structures, beliefs, and practices against women.
- 19th and early 20th century.
- First wave feminism spread across the Western countries.
 Le Mouvement de Liberation des Femmes- “Women’s Liberation Movement”
was formed in Europe.
- Right education
- Right to work
- Right to vote in 1940s.

Salient points that Feminism demands:

1. Women suffrage (It changed after WW I (1914-1918)
2. Equality in politics and society
3. Reproductive rights
o women is in control of her body
o she can decide herself
o Contraception, abortion, and any reproductive opinion.
4. Domestic violence- marital rape and physical abuse
5. Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence
6. Other rights including:
- Divorce to their husband
- Making decision on her pregnancy
- Equitable wages
- Equitable employment opportunities.

Assessment:
Role Playing