Chapter 2

• Gender


  • Refers to the socially constructed notion of and relationships between men and women
  • Is a social classification based on one's identity, presentation of self, behavior, and interaction with others
  • Involves social norms, attitudes, and activities that society deem more appropriate for one's sexuality over another which is also believed to be determined by what an individual feels, perceived of oneself, and does
• Sex


  • Refers only to biological differences
  • "Gender has become more fluid" – it may or may not depend upon biological traits alone
• Sociology of Gender

  • Making distinction between sex and gender
  • It examines how society influences our understanding and perception of differences between masculinity and femininity
  • Masculinity – what society deems appropriate behavior fo a man
  • Feminity - what society deems appropriate behavior fo a woman
  • Sexuality – it is about sexual attraction, sexual practices and identity. Just as sex and gender don't always align, neither does gender nor sexuality
  • Gender and sexuality are not just personal identities; they are social identities
• Gender and Sexuality

  • Sex is understood by sociologists to be a biological categorization based on reproductive organs
  • Intersex – people born with sex organs that do not clearly fit either male or female category
  • Gender – a social classification based on one's identity, presentation of self, behaviour, and interaction with others
  • Today, gender is how an individual feels and expresses their gender, typically through masculinity and femininity
• Gender Definitions


  • Transpeople - Refers to when a person identifies with the opposite gender – those who identify themselves opposite to their sex-assigned at birth and eventually to their gender
  • Transexual - It is identified as the opposite gender to their biological sex. Physical transformation, e.g. genital reassignment surgery or hormonal replacement therapy, may be undertaken to change sex
  • Transgender - It is most often used to describe non-traditional gender behaviors or identities
  • Intersex - Refers to a range of conditions where a person's sex is not strictly male or female
• Common Terminology Associated with Sexuality


  • Heterosexual - Refers to when people tend to be attracted to the opposite or gender
  • Gay - Refers to same-sex attraction and is most often used to in reference to men
  • Lesbian - Refers to women who are mostly attracted to other women, or people identifying women
  • Bisexual - Refers to individuals who are attracted to both sexes and genders
  • Pansexual/ Pan - Is a diverse sexuality, and attraction to people regardless of their gender
  • Asexual - Refers to individuals who do not or have not yet experienced sexual attraction to anyone
• 5 Important Elements of Gender

  • Relational
  • Hierarchical
  • Historical
  • Contextual
  • Institutional
• Sexual Orientation


  Describe patterns of emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction to people
• Forms of Sexual Orientation

  • Homosexual – emotionally, physically, sexually attracted to same sex/gender
  • Heterosexual - emotionally, physically, sexually attracted to opposite sex/gender
  • Bisexual - emotionally, physically, sexually attracted to more than one gender
  • Pansexual - emotionally, physically, sexually attracted to anyone regardless of their biological sex, and gender identity
  • Asexual – not physically and sexually attracted to anyone but has the same emotional needs as everybody
• Gender Expression


  Is an external manifestation of person's gender identity, expressed through one's name, pronouns, clothing, voice, and body characteristics; How an individual expresses herself/himself
• Gender Expression Types


  • Androgynous/ Gender Neutral – does not clearly show either masculine or feminine characteristics
  • Masculine – has qualities and characteristics which are traditionally associated with a man
  • Feminine - has qualities and characteristics which are traditionally associated with a woman
  • Gender Neutral - has qualities and characteristics differ from those which are traditionally associated with a man or a woman
  • Androgynous - has qualities and characteristics combination of those traditionally associated with a man or a woman
• Gender Socialization


  • Is the process of learning the social expectations and attitudes associated with one's sex
  • Parents/ Family – typically a child's first source of information about gender
  • Teacher/ School – model gender roles and sometimes demonstrate gender stereotypes by treating their male and female students in different ways
  • Peers – through interactions, they learn what peers expect of them as boys and girls
  • Media – conveys information about the role of gender in people's lives and can reinforce gender stereotypes
  • Church/ Religion
  • Gender Socialization throughout Life
• Gender Stereotypes


  Beliefs that people have about the characteristics of males and females
• Common Stereotypes


  • Racial Profiling – racial profiling in Filipinos (Ilocanos to be masipag magsaka, Pampangeños as masarap ang luto, etc.)
  • Gender Profiling – men and women stereotypes
  • Cultures – All Arabs and Muslims are terrorists
  • Group of Individuals – All teenagers are rebels
  • Sexual Stereotypes – any feminine man is gay, and any masculine woman is lesbian
• Forms of Gender Stereotype

  • Gender stereotypes have traditional components, or beliefs about how males and females typically act, as well as descriptive components, or beliefs about how males and females should act
  • These stereotypes often involve characteristics that are undesirable in either sex, but are permitted in one sex, while being prescribed for the other
• Implications of Stereotype

  • Violence against women
  • Culture gaps
• Sexual Orientation Stereotypes


  Occur when you have negative views on gays, lesbians, and transgender individuals. a.k.a homophobic
• Gender Stereotype


  Is a generalized view or preconception about attributes or characteristics, or the roles that are ought to be possessed by, or performed by women and men (UNCHR, 1978)
• Gender Inequality


  • Acknowledges that men and women are not equal and that gender affects an individuals lived experience
  • Is a social process by which people are treated differently and disadvantageously, under similar circumstances, on the basis of gender (Oxford Dictionary, 2007)
• Gender Equality


  • Is achieved when women and men enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society, including economic participation and decision making, and when the different behaviors, aspirations and needs of women and men are equally valued and favoured
• Identified Gender Inequality


  • Lack of mobility
  • Freedom of marriage
  • Discriminatory divorce rights
  • Citizenship
  • Custody rights
  • Violence
  • Professional obstacles
  • Restricted land ownership
  • Access to education
• Memorandum Circular of 2011 – achieve the Philippine commitment on GAD plan for 1995-2025