Module 2

Cultural Issues
on Gender
2.1 GENDER-FAIR LANGUAGE
Introduction

• Gender-Fair Language (GFL) aims at reducing gender

stereotyping and discrimination. Two principle strategies have
been employed to make languages gender-fair and to treat
women and men symmetrically.

• When sex of a person is unknown, he/him is used to address the

person.
• I address a married woman with her husband’s name.
• The word man can represent both men and women.
• I attach the term Mrs. to address a married woman. In writing
a letter to an unknown person, I use dear sir in the salutation.
LANGUAGE:
• THE MEDIUM OF COMMUNICATION
• Is a body of signs, symbols, sounds and words with
significant meanings which are used for communication.
• Communication is the process of transmitting a message
from the Source to Receiver

INSTRUMENT FOR BUILDING CIVILIZATION

• building block, adhesive, and essential means of developing
science, technology, and the arts
• means to build relationships, establishment of groups and
associations, development of institutions, strengthening of
nations
What Is Sexism In Language?

[Link] is the use of language which devalues members of one

sex, almost habitually women, and thus fosters gender
inequality.

2. It discriminates against women by rendering them

invisible or trivializing them at the same time that it
perpetuates notions of male supremacy.
Why the Concern about Mere Words?
1. Language says consciousness
• It is not only orders our thought but from infancy, we learn to use
language to give utterance to our basic needs and feelings.

2. Language reflects cultures and values in our society

• It encodes and transmits cultural meanings and values in our
society.

3. Language affects socialization.

• Children learning a language absorb the cultural assumptions and
biases underlying language use and see these as an index to their
society’s values and attitudes.
• Social inequity reflected in language can thus powerfully affect a
child’s later behavior and beliefs.
In the english language, In filipino, regardless of
there is a distinction the gender/sex…
between…

he & she (third person) • it is always “siya”

• son & daughter (kids) it is always “anak”
• husband & wife (spouse) it is always “asawa”
• brother & sister (sibling) it is always “kapatid”
• hero & heroine (lead) it is always “bayani”
What are the kinds of Sexist Language?
1. Language that excludes women or renders them
invisible.
• The use of generic masculine – subsuming all humanity in
the terms man, father, brother, master
Current Usage Alternatives

• man • Human being, human person,

• Working men, workmen individual
• Man of the street • Workers, wage earners
• Forefather • Average person, ordinary person, the
• manhood common
• To a man • “tao
• manpower •
• Ancestor
• Adulthood, maturity
• Everyone, unanimously, without
exception
2. The Singular Masculine Pronouns “He,” “His,”
“Him”

EXAMPLES:
• When a reporter covers a controversial story, he has a
responsibility to present both sides of the issue.
• Everyone packed his own lunch.
• Each student should bring his notebook to class everyday.
SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVES
The Singular Masculine Pronouns “He,” “His,” “Him”
• When reporters cover controversial stories, they have a
responsibility to present both sides of the issue.
• Everyone packed a lunch.
• All students should bring their notebooks to class
everyday.
3. TERMS ENDING IN MAN TO REFER TO FUNCTIONS
THAT MAY BE PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALS OF EITHER
SEX.
CURRENT USAGE ALTERNATIVE
• anchorman • Anchor, anchorperson
• businessman • Business executive, manager,
• cameraman business owner
• chairman • Camera operators,
• firemen cinematographers,
• policeman photographers
• Salesman • Chairperson, chair
• watchmen • Fire fighters
• spokesman • Police officer, law enforcement
officer
• Salesperson, sales
representative, sales agent
• Guards
4. TERMS USED AS THOUGH THEY APPLY TO ADULT MALES ONLY,
OR ARE APPROPRIATED TO A PARTICULAR SEX.

Examples:
1. Settlers moved west taking their wives and children with them.
Alternative: use “families” for “wives and children”.

2. People don’t give up power. They’ll give up anything else first, money,
home, wife, but not power.
Alternative: Use “spouse” for “wife”
• The generic masculine reflects gender inequality in that women are never
seen in terms of general or representative humanity. Men represent the
universal or the human to which women are the other.
• Plural form preferred, unless you know the sex of the teachers or the
secretary, in which case use the appropriate pronoun.
5. LANGUAGE THAT TRIVIALIZES WOMEN OR
DIMINISHES THEIR STATURE
• feminine suffixes such as –ess, -ette, -trix, or –emme,
make unnecessary reference to the person’s sex,
suggest triviality, unimportance, or inferiority of women
occupying such a position.
CURRENT USAGE ALTERNATIVE
• actress • Actor
• authoress • Author
• comedienne • Comedian
• Heroines • Heroes
• hostesses • Hosts
• usherette • Usher
• proprietress • proprietor
 6. LANGUAGE WHICH DISPARAGES AND
MARGINALIZES WOMEN (or persons of another
gender)
CURRENT USAGE ALTERNATIVE

• girl • Adult female

• salesgirls • Saleswoman
• ladies • Women
• Little woman, the better half • Wife
• Girl friday • Administrative assistants
• chambermaids • Hotel workers
• Ladies chattering • Women talking, speaking,
• Dykes, gay women, female conversing
homosexuals • Lesbians
• busboys • Waiter’s assistants
7. LANGUAGE THAT FOSTERS UNEQUAL GENDER RELATIONS

CURRENT USAGE ALTERNATIVES

• Man and wife • Husband and wife

• Men and girls • Men and women; boys and girls
• Men and ladies • Men and women; ladies and
• President Bush and Mrs. Arroyo gentlemen
• Karen and Trinidad • President Bush and President
• Trinidad and Miss De Vera • Macapagal-Arroyo
Mr. Trinidad and Miss De Vera • De Vera and Trinidad, or Karen
and
Chris Austin
8. THE USE OF TERMS THAT CALL ATTENTION TO A
PERSON’S SEX IN DESIGNATING OCCUPATIONS,
POSITIONS, ROLES, ETC
CURRENT USAGE ALTERNATIVE

• Delivery boys • Deliveries

• Motherhood, fatherhood • Parenthood
• Political husbands, political • Political spouses
wives • Principals
• Headmasters, headmistress • Ranch hands
• Cowboys, cowgirls • Mail carrier, letter carrier
• Mailman, postman • Flight/cabin attendant
• Stewardess, steward
9. GENDER POLARIZATION OF MEANINGS IN THE USE OF ADJECTIVES
Examples:
1. Forceful men are perceived as charismatic while forceful women are labeled
domineering.

2. Light-hearted men are seen as easygoing, while women of the same nature are frivolous.

3. Forgetful men are called absent-minded while forgetful women are termed scatterbrained.

4. We describe angry men as outraged, while angry women are hysterical.

5. Men who are interested in everything are called curious people, while women with similar
tendency are termed inquisitive.

6. Men of ordinary appearance go without mention, while women of ordinary

appearance are labeled plain or homely.

7. When men talk together, it is called a convention, but when women talk
together, it is called gossip.
• 10. METAPHORS WHICH REFLECT A MALE-CENTERED VIEW
OF THE
WORLD OR PORTRAY WOMEN AS OBJECTS.

• Metaphors which refer to women as merchandise,

something to be eaten: “sugar”, “honey”, “dish”,
“cheesecake” or as small animals: chick, bunny (e.g.
playboy bunnies)
GUIDELINES FOR NON-SEXIST WRITING

1. Generic Man

PROBLEM: The term man is often associated with the

adult male and it is difficult to distinguish its generic use. It
reflects gender inequality in that women are never seen in
terms of general or representative humanity but always in
terms of their gender. Man represents the universe and the
human while woman is the other.
Instead of…… Use ……….

1. Replace man with specific nouns or

verbs that say explicitly what you
mean:
Labor, human resources,
Manpower personnel

To man to operate

2. Use nouns that encompass both man

and woman Humanity

Mankind

3. In making general statements, add women and men are vulnerable

women

Man is vulnerable women and men are rational

beings.

Man is a rational being

2. The Pronouns “He”and “His”
PROBLEM. The pronouns he and his are used to replace
generic man and pose the same problems.

Alternatives:
1. The most common alternatives are he or she, he/she, she
or he and lately, s/he. Too much of this can be awkward,
so use the following alternatives (for nos. 2-9) whenever
feasible.

2. The plural form may be substituted:

Instead of: The student must submit his paper on time
Use: Students must submit their papers on time.
3. The first or second person may be used instead, when
appropriate: Example from #2: Please submit your papers on time.

4. The pronoun ‘his’ may be replaced by an article or

dropped altogether.
Instead of: A researcher must acknowledge all his sources.
Use: A researcher must acknowledge all sources.

5. The pronoun ‘one’ may be substituted when warranted by

the text.
Instead of: The individual often wonders how we can help in this
time of crisis.
Use: One often wonders how one can help in this time of
crisis
2.2 GENDER-FAIR EDUCATION

Introduction

Have you ever wondered why scientists, philosophers during

early periods of history are males? It has something to do
with the privilege of having a formal schooling before. There
was a gender gap in terms of education. Right now, we are
trying to close that gap. This part of the module talks about
gender-fair education and strategies to achieve it.
• The Georgia Female College was the first to offer baccalaureate
degrees to women, and in 1855, the University of Iowa became
the first university to admit women. Despite progress, women still
face unequal job opportunities after education. UNESCO’s
Sustainable Development Goal 4 promotes inclusive, equitable,
and lifelong learning for all recognizing that gender equality in
education is essential. “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality
education and promote lifelong learning

opportunities for all.” True equality means not just access, but
empowerment for both women and men through education.
• Gender equality in education involves equal access, learning
processes, and outcomes for both boys and girls. While
many countries have achieved gender parity in primary
enrolment, others like Pakistan still lag due to poverty,
conflict, and poor infrastructure. At the secondary level, boys
are disadvantaged in some regions, including the
Philippines. Girls, however, face higher risks of early
marriage and adolescent pregnancy. True equality also
means unbiased curricula, where all students can freely
pursue any field, from engineering to social sciences,
• Gender equality in education goes beyond enrolment it includes fair
treatment in classrooms, unbiased teaching strategies, and inclusive
learning materials. Boys and girls should access the same curriculum
and be assessed through varied methods to avoid gender bias. Despite
efforts, disparities in learning outcomes persist, with girls excelling in
reading and boys in math. To improve access and equity, USAID
recommends building nearby schools, forming girls’ advisory groups,
raising parental awareness, supporting conflict-affected youth, offering
scholarships, using radio-based instruction, involving communities in
school management, and strengthening education financing.
• Patriarchal society has been dominant for many centuries in western societies. It
was believed that women need only to be trained to become effective wives and
mothers. During the Revolution, Americans placed emphasis on the role of mothers
in educating their daughters in the considered to be a fourth branch of government.

• Republican motherhood was the term coined with the notion that women should
serve as educators of young men in order to teach them to be productive citizens
and to be defenders of independence. This has affected the participation of girls
and women in education. In 1800s however, there was an emergence of educating
girls in formal schools.

• The purpose of educating girls was still to be trained to be good mothers and better
companions to their husbands. Formal education also benefited those who come
from families with financial means. values of the Republic. Motherhood was even
• Gender equality in education must extend beyond access to include fair learning
processes and outcomes. This means training educators and curriculum developers in
gender awareness, promoting inclusive teaching, ensuring school safety, and
eliminating gender-based academic streaming. Teachers should use diverse, unbiased
materials and assessments that reflect varied learning styles. Persistent issues affect
both genders: girls face low self-esteem, bias in testing, and underrepresentation in
STEM, while boys struggle with mental health, stereotypes, and higher dropout rates.

The education must:

• Train educators in gender sensitivity and inclusive practices

• Use non-biased curricula and diverse assessment types

• Ensure school safety and support for marginalized learners

• Address gender-specific challenges like dropout rates and curriculum gaps

2.3 GENDER AND MEDIA

Introduction TV is the most

• According to the Philippine Statistics Authority,
81% of Filipinos watch the television, and it still
trusted source of
remains to be the most used and trusted source information in the
of information in our country. We watch TV for
entertainment and information through TV soap
Philippines, but since
operas, news, and entertainment programs. we often just accept
what it shows,
• We become passive consumers of what TV has to
offer; information, shock, humor, and etc.
media can shape
Therefore, the media influences our perception how we see the
on different topics. It is important for us to look
deeply into what it presents or fails to represent
world, so we need to
of our daily realities. think carefully about
what it shows and
• MEDIA REPRESENTATION
• Media representation is how the media presents
or frames “aspects of society, such as gender,
Media representation
means that what we
age, or ethnicity” (BBC, 2019). It is important
because it shapes the audience’s knowledge and
understanding and will contribute to their ideas
and attitudes.
see on TV is shaped
• Because of our exposure to television, the media
ultimately represents our social realities as it
mirrors the ideologies, belief system, and
by the beliefs and
stereotypes. There are many factors affecting
media representation, after all, what we see in the choices of the people
television has already gone through a long
process wherein many people are involved. who create it, and
• The people behind the production of the content
have their own ideologies, ideas, and beliefs, and
since we often just
that greatly contribute to what we see in the
media. Media producers, editors, directors,
writers, and a networks’ values reflect through its
accept it without
content.
questioning, it can
• Since TV uses one way mode of communication
wherein feedback is rarely received or influence how we
encouraged, more often we are left on our on to
process the ideas and opinion directed towards
us, the viewers. We passively laugh at
think about gender,
stereotypes, not giving it as second thought.
• MEDIA STEREOTYPES Media stereotypes
“are simplified representation of a person, Media stereotypes are
exaggerated and
groups of people or a place, through basic or
obvious characteristics- which are often
exaggerated” (BBC, 2019). Although
stereotypes can help people connect with
the content as they reflect it in their own
simplified portrayals
realities, it can have negative effects on
disadvantaged groups like the LGBT
that often
misrepresent groups
community by reinforcing negative and even
false stereotypes.

like the LGBT

• The LGBT community are highly
misrepresented in the Philippine media.
There are many stereotypes of the LGBT in
the media and most are not flattering. Often
they are used as a comic relief in portrayal
community, showing
of the loud and boisterous “bakla”, the
straight male who acts like a “bakla” with
them in unfair or
unrealistic ways that
exaggerated gestures, the sex-deprived
muscular male homosexual, or the awkward
“tomboy” who eventually becomes a
feminine woman after meeting the man of
her dreams.
can lead to
• There are few LGBT main LGBT characters like
characters in the international
Boy Abunda, Vice
television and even very scarce
in the Philippine TV. They are
Ganda, Aiza
often relegated as sidekicks, Seguerra, and Jake
victims, or villains. Although Zyrus are rarely
there are a few LGBT celebrities shown as main
in the Philippines who are out
roles on TV, and
and proud of their sexual
orientation such as Boy Abunda,
even though they are
Vice Ganda, Aiza Seguerra, and openly proud, their
Jake Zyrus, their sexuality is sexuality is often not
rarely the focus of the programs
highlighted, with
they are in.
• In fact, references on LGBT topics in
children shows cause controversy so
they are omitted in the broadcast. LGBT topics in shows like
Such is the case of Glee, a popular
American TV show that featured
Glee(High school musical
teenager who are gay and lesbian. The drama series) are often
gay kiss was omitted in the Philippine
broadcast, although it was seen as a removed from Philippine
milestone in the international media.
broadcasts due to
• News outfits followed popular
ideologies of portraying homosexuality controversy, and while media
as a sickness. The AIDS pandemic in
the 70’s also added to the negative
used to show homosexuality
stereotyping of gay male as a sexual as a sickness, movements in
deviant. However, due to pressure
coming from the Gay and the 1970s pushed
• Lesbian Liberation Movement in the international media to
1970’s, the international media was
forced to recognize the set media treat LGBT issues more
standards
coverage.
for the LGBT News
fairly.
• In the Philippines, there is a lack of awareness
on SOGIE among media practitioners as they
often left confused on the LGBT terms and
In the Philippines, media
labels. Most news on LGBT community are often still lacks full
on coming out stories of celebrities, Pride March
events, hate crimes, and controversies. understanding of LGBT
• Media coverage of the LGBT community in the
Philippines went from no coverage, ridicule,
issues, but shows like My
censorship, to limited portrayal.
limiting, it is taken as a sign of greater social
However
Husband’s Lover and
acceptance as compared to its total black out
decades ago.
The Rich Man’s
• There are landmark TV shows about the LGBT Daughter mark progress,
showing how coverage
community such as My Husband’s Lover (2013)
and The Rich Man’s Daughter (2015). There are
also a handful of LGBT themed movies that
featured the different aspects of the LGBT has slowly improved from
person from
orientation,
realization
their coming
of their
out, to
sexual
their
silence and stereotypes to
acceptance in their familiesa and communities.
more open, though still
Gender-Fair Language (GFL) aims at reducing gender
stereotyping and discrimination. The following are
some strategies to attain gender fair language:
Gender-fair
Replace man with specific nouns or verbs that say
explicitly what you mean. language and
B) Use nouns that encompass both man and woman.
C) In making general statements, add women.
D) He or she can be used to replace generic man.
education aim to
E) Use plural forms. Gender fair education is gender
equality in education in terms of access, learning
process and learning outcomes. It includes parity of
treat boys and girls
equally by using
enrolment and actual attendance of students,
gender fair teaching and learning strategies, learning
materials are used in the classrooms. It also involves
equality in the learning outcomes, for example
equality in achievements of girls and boys.
inclusive words and
giving both access
• Gender equality in education has different
dimensions. The following are the dimensions of
gender equality in education:

to learning, fair
• a) Equality of access b) equality in the learning
process and equality in the learning outcomes.
When we say equality of access, both boys and
girls are given equitable opportunities to be
admitted to formal, non-formal and alternative
approaches to basic education. Equality of access
can be reflected in the gender parity in enrolment.
teaching methods,
Most countries have already achieved gender
parity in terms of primary enrolment and equal chances
• DEFINITION OF TERMS:

• Communication - is the process of transmitting a message

from the Source to Receiver
• Language - Is a body of signs, symbols, sounds and words
with significant meanings which are used for
communication.
• Gender fair education - Gender equality in education in
terms of access, learning process and learning outcomes.
• Republican motherhood - term coined with the notion
that women Republican motherhood should serve as
educators of young men in order to teach them to be
productive citizens and to be defenders of independence.
• Lesson 3
THE ESSENCE AND VARIETIES OF LAW

Essence means that as human beings with reason and free

will, we can choose our actions—but we need to use our
thinking to make sure we’re choosing what is truly good, not
just what seems good.

• COMMON GOOD- Considering what is good for the

community as well as our own good.

• LAW- The determination of the proper measure of our acts.

VARIETIES OF LAW

• Eternal Law- refers to what God wills for creation, how

each participant in it is intended to return to Him.

• Natural Law- refers to the natural inclination to its proper

act and end.

• Human Law- refers to all instances wherein human beings

construct and enforce laws in the communities.

• Divine Law- refers specifically to the instances where we

have rules or instructions that come from divine revelation.
• Natural Law
In Common With Other Beings
• Desire to preserve life → Like all living things, humans
naturally want to survive and protect themselves.

In Common With Other Animals

• Desire for sex and caring for children → Humans, like
animals, have natural instincts for reproduction and raising their
young.

Uniquely Human
• Desire to know the truth and live in society → Humans are
different because we seek knowledge, especially about God, and
want to live peacefully with others.
 Three Natural Inclinations (Basis for
Morality)

Inclination Simple Meaning

Preserving the self is It’s natural and right to protect your

good life and health.

Reproduction and caring for family

Sexual acts are natural
are part of human nature.

Being rational is proper to Using reason and thinking wisely is

man what makes us truly human.
Soul and Reason

• Aquinas says our intellect (thinking mind) should guide

our emotions and physical needs.

• In short: our brain should lead our body and feelings

toward what is good and right.