GENDER

AND THE
FAMILY
Prepared by:
MARIA LEONORA A. BAJUM-TOMBO
JAY ERROL V. BARRAL
Faculty, College of Arts and Sciences
Wesleyan University-Philippines
 At the end of the lesson, students are
expected to:

1. Identify the different types of family.

LEARNING 2. Determine the influence of family to
OUTCOMES gender roles and issues.

3. Differentiate the traditional and

contemporary roles of men and women and
its effect to the issues of gender and family.
 “ A Family is a
family not
because of
gender but
because of
values, like
commitment,
trust and love”
–Gray Davis
 • Refers to the roles and
responsibilities of men and
GENDER women that are created in our
families, societies and our
cultures.
 Means how men a) Role Expectation – group or society’s definition of the way a
and women are specific role ought to be played.
expected to act,
speak , dress , b) Role Performance – how a person actually plays a role.
GENDER groom, and
conduct
ROLES themselves
based upon the
c) Role Conflicts – Occurs when incompatible demands are placed on
a person by two or more statuses held at the same time.
assigned sex. d) Role Exit – distancing oneself from a particular role/status.
• FAMILY
forms the FUNCTIONS
basic unit of
1. Socializing functions. Family
social members teach child the norms, values,
organization morals, beliefs, and ideals of
and it is difficult society.
to imagine how
2. Providing affection and a sense of
human society security.
could function
without it. 3. Providing the environment for
personality development and the
growth of self-concept in relation to
others.
TYPES OF
• According to Structure
a. Conjugal or Nuclear Family
- the primary or elementary family consisting of husband, wife, and

FAMILY
children.
a. Consanguine or Extended Family
- consist of married couple, their parents, siblings, grandparents, uncles,
aunts, cousins.

• According to Authority
a. Patriarchal
- when the father is considered the head and plays dominant role.
a. Matriarchal
- when the mother or female is the head and makes the major
decisions.
a. Equalitarian
- when both father and mother share in making decisions and are
equal in authority.
 Gender roles are defined by the socio-
cultural norms of any society. In most of the

GENDER
societies the family systems are based on the gender
roles and it is the pre-designed gender roles that
help members of the family to run the family with

ROLES IN bound responsibilities.

THE But today, the modern life has very much

changed the family structure and the gender roles

FAMILY have been diverting from the traditional

responsibilities and path of performance. In fact, the
gap between different genders has already melted
down, creating an all equal society and more
equalized families.
 1. Family, along with marriage, is a
primary social unit for socialization.
FAMILY
AND 2. Family is a source of ascribed statuses,
GENDER gendered roles and gendered
expectations.
ISSUES
3. Defining “family” is not simply an
academic exercise but a determinate of
what is “normal” or “deviant.”
 FAMILY AS THE • Ann Oakley (1981)
MOST IMPORTANT • argues that children are
INFLUENCE ON
GENDER socialized into their gender
IDENTITY roles and hence in their
gender identities by the
family in four ways.
FAMILY AS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFLUENCE ON
GENDER IDENTITY

1. The first of these ways is Manipulation.

1. This consists of parents (or other family members) encouraging
behaviour that is seen as the norm for the child’s gender and
discouraging behaviour that is not considered the norm e.g.
congratulating a boy for completing an obstacle course but
discouraging a girl from attempting the obstacle course.
2. The second method described by Oakley is Canalisation.
1. This comprises of parents channelling the child’s interests into
activities that are considered the norm for their gender e.g.
encouraging girls to do ballet and encouraging boys to play football.
FAMILY AS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFLUENCE ON
GENDER IDENTITY

• 3. The third of Oakley’s methods was Verbal Appellations.

• This involves giving children nicknames or pet names that are appropriate for
their gender e.g. little angel for girls and little monster for boys.
• 4. The final of Oakley’s methods was Different Activities.
• This is when parents or family members encourage children to involve themselves
in different activities e.g. girls staying inside to help their mothers cook and boys
are more likely to be given permission to roam outdoors.
• These methods identified by Ann Oakley describe how the family can be
considered the most important influence on gender identity as it shows that
children can be socialized into their gender identity by the family from a young
age.
GENDERED DISTRIBUTION OF
FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES
 Roles of Men Roles of Women

Provider Take good care of her husband and

children
TRADITIONAL Protector Budget the family’s income
ROLES OF MEN AND
WOMEN Decision maker Teacher to her children

Cleaner

Cook
 Today, both the parents work and earn for the family and both father
and mother enjoys equal social statues and financial independence.

At this point, the role of homemaker becomes no one's responsibility

and both the partners may insist the other one to be the homemaker.
CONTEMPORARY
ROLES OF MEN
AND WOMEN Adjustments, understanding and empathy are the advised aspects that
may help a smooth running family.

Clinging to the century old concepts and lifestyles may help only to
worsen the situation.
 • Gender Roles in Family (prokerala.com)
• Family as the most Important Influence on Gender Identity | Actforlibrari
es.org
• Cox MJ, Paley B. Families as systems. The Annual Review of

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