Module 1
UNDERSTANDING SEX & GENDER
SEX
refers to physical or physiological differences between male, female, and intersex bodies, including both
primary sex characteristics (the reproductive system) and secondary sex characteristics (such as breasts
and facial hair).
GENDER
It is a term that refers to social or cultural distinctions associated with a given sex; it is generally
considered to be a socially constructed concept.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEX AND GENDER
SEX GENDER
Difference of reproductive organ at birth. Difference in attitude and behavior.
It resulted from chromosomes and other biological Resulted from various socialization processes.
factors.
Difficult to change or so to say, unchangeable. Can be changed as it is determined by the society.
Can be changed as it is determined by the society. The concept of gender varies between and within
societies.
Sexuality
People’s sexual interest in and attraction to others; their capacity to have erotic experiences and
responses.
Gonad
The sex organs that produce gametes; specifically, the testicles or ovaries.
Module 2
GENDER & SOCIALIZATION
SEX
a scribed status
GENDER
an achieved status
SOCIALIZATION
a process of mutual influence between a person and his/her fellow being.
a process that results in an acceptance of, the adaptation to, the patterns of social behavior.
refers to how an infant develops into a functioning social being and emerges with a personality.
the process of becoming a full member of society.
FUNCTION OF SOCIALIZATION:
1. Transmits values, customs, and beliefs from one generation to another.
2. Enables the individual to grow and develop into a socially functioning person.
3. It is a means of social control by which members are encouraged to conform to the ways of the group by
internalizing the group's norms and values.
TYPES OF SOCIALIZATION:
1. Deliberate or Conscious
this occurs when persons are explicitly and directly taught the norms and values, the social expectations
and obligations of the group.
2. Non-deliberate or Unplanned
when individuals learn the norms and values by themselves from observations in the various groups they
come in contact with.
GENDER SOCIALIZATION
the process of learning the social expectations and attitudes associated with one's sex.
For example:
it the tendency for boys and girls to be socialized differently.
GENDER EXPECTATION
men denied access to nurturing, emotional and care.
women denied to power, influence, achievement and independence and even taking up the role of the
father.
SOCIALIZATION MECHANISM:
1. Child-Rearing Processes
Manipulation
the process of handling boys and girls differently even as infants.
Canalization
exposing children to gender-appropriate objects.
Activity Exposure
exposing children to gender-appropriate tasks or activities.
Verbal Appellation
the process of telling children what they are and what is expected of them.
2. Institutions of Mass Socialization
Formal Education
Mass Media
Religion
Language
Module 3
GENDER SUBORDINATION & SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF SEXUALITY
GENDER SUBORDINATION
Gender has implications for equality between women and men in society. In earlier days, these
implications were accepted as a matter of course: women were perceived as “naturally” inferior to men.
This led to an ideology that one gender (preferably, female) is subordinate to that of the other gender.
GENDER SUBORDINATION AND THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM
men – breadwinners
women – homemakers
GENDER SUBORDINATION AND THE POLITICAL SYSTEM
gender subordination in the political system means more than the exclusion of women and their concerns
from political life. The state, used by particular groups in society to perpetuate in power, in turn uses
gender to support its objectives or thwart those of other groups.
GENDER SUBORDINATION AND SEXUALITY
rape is an extreme illustration of the subordination of women’s sexuality.
women are not just men’s sexual and productive property; they are also legitimately targets of sexual
aggression.
GENDER SUBORDINATION AND PERSONHOOD
WOMEN: DUTIFUL AND DEPENDENT
since men are breadwinners and political mediators, in myth if not in fact, women perceive men as
essential to their material survival.
this perception generates an inordinate attachment to relationship with men.
from childhood, women are encouraged to think of a permanent and exclusive with a man, rather than
creative and meaningful work, as their primary goal in life.
a woman’s commitment to a man ideally goes hand-in-hand with commitment to the family they create
together.
Filipino girls are trained at a young age to be responsible for the home and their siblings.
at the same time, the bondage to household work prevents women from developing their full potentials
for contributing to the development of society.
THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF SEXUALITY
sex is understood to be a natural thing. A culture, in order to survive, must reproduce and copulation is
the usual way. And if copulation is to occur, both males and females must have propensity for sexual
behavior.
one of our enduring beliefs about human sexuality is that men have sexual urges while women have
sexual attractiveness. It is the nature of men to “demand” sex and it is in women to “supply” it.
PERSPECTIVES OF SEXUALITY
HOW PEOPLE BECOME SEXUAL
1. Sociobiological Perspectives
humans have a sex drive and that this drive is different for males and females as a result of genetic
differences hence, it is but natural for women and men to have different sexualities.
2. Psychoanalytic perspective
it is a system of conscious and unconscious human fantasies involving a range of excitations that
produce pleasure beyond the satisfaction of any basic physiological need.
3. Social learning perspective
it argues that the area of meaning and conduct related to sexuality is accumulated by means of social
learning. It strongly believes that sexual behavior is socially scripted behavior.
THE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF SEXUALITY
sexuality, like all social behavior, is formed within the context of social order. This social order is, in
most contemporary cultures, male dominant.
sexuality, then, like gender, is socially constructed and because the social context supports male
dominance, sexuality centers around the satisfaction of male sexual needs.
SEXUALITY AND SOCIAL CHANGE
1. Pre-Colonial Sexual Practices
women’s pre-marital sexuality was not subject to extreme regulation by the community in general and by
men in particular.
polygamy and concubinage were practiced in some early communities and these perhaps shows sexual
subjugation of women due to the emergent hierarchy of economic and social power.
2. COLONIAL IMPOSITIONS
Spaniards exported a male-dominant Judeo-Christian view of sexuality.
procreation was the primary purpose of sexuality &
sexuality was tied to morality so that sexual relations outside marriage became “sinful.”
3. AMERICAN OCCUPATION
American colonizers in the 20th century were less tolerant of the practice of keeping mistresses.
nonetheless, Americans held to an ideology of male sexual needs and endorsed the social and sexual
dominance of men.
THE IDEOLOGY OF MALE SEXUAL NEEDS AND WOMEN’S SUBORDINATION
1. Keeping of a mistress or Querida
it is related to male’s access to material resources and political power.
2. Prostitution
correlated with women’s inadequate wages
example: sexual servicing is extended to foreign men in their countries by Filipina “entertainers” or
“domestic helpers”.
3. Pornography
directly reflects men’s sexual desires and shows a systematic domination of women by men because it
distorts, degrades and abuses women.
4. Sexual harassment
5. Rape
6. Marital violence
WHAT IS TO BE DONE?
1. There is a need to redefine one’s sexual identity that goes beyond traditional sex and confined by
stereotypes of gender roles.
2. There should be an effort to determine and constantly reassess the effects of technological developments
on women’s sexuality.
3. Women needs to take account of their sexual needs.
4. There must be a strong confrontation on the commodization of sex.