GENDER and SOCIETY.pptx

PPT

1. GENDER AND SOCIETY INSTRUCTOR: MS. RENALYN S. SIMAN

2. CONTEMPLATE: Let us think about how gender is portrayed in your community. List down as many words or phrases used to (a) identify and (b) describe the following genders. MEN WOMEN HOMOSEXUALS

3. Introduction: What does it mean to be a male or female, to be feminine or masculine, or to be man or woman? The human mind and body are so complex such that to answer this question, we have to trace our journey from the moment we were born, and go back to the journey we humans have across the life span .

4. First thing you need to understand is the complexities of defining and differentiating sex, gender, and sexuality. Having a clear gasp of these concepts is crucial since we will be using these terms over and over again in succeeding discussions. Likewise, there are nuances in the meanings of these terms, which have an implication on at which context we can appropriately use them.

5. Moreover, as we start our discussion of gender and sexuality as social realties, we also want to understand how a person’s gender is expressed from birth to adulthood. Our ultimate goal is to foster understanding of the diversity of how humans experience and express their sexuality. Definition of terms: SEX- the biological aspect of sex; maleness or femaleness GENDER- the social interpretation of sex; masculinity, femininity SEXUALITY- the totality of our own experience of our sex and gender

6. What is sex?

7. SEX Is the biological dimension of your gender and sexuality. Also referred to as biological sex or physical sex , the term generally pertains to your identity depending on your sexual anatomy and physiology the parts of your body that are relevant to production and function of these parts. Sex  refers to physical or physiological differences between males and females, including both primary sex characteristics (the reproductive system) and secondary characteristics such as (height and muscularity.)  

8. Society typically tells us that there are two sexes: male and female . You may also be familiar with the fact that some people are intersex, or have a difference of sexual development (DSD). Difference of sexual development is used to describe chromosomes, anatomy, or sex characteristics that can’t be categorized as exclusively male or female. As with names and pronouns, it’s important to refer to people in the manner that they prefer. Some people are comfortable with the term “intersex” and use it to describe themselves. Others have moved away from using this term and refer to their condition as a DSD.

9. Among humans, sex is often assigned at birth. If at birth, a child is observed to have a penis and testicles , then the child is categorized as male. If on the other hand, a child is observed to have a vagina , then the child is categorized as female. However, there are cases when the baby’s genitals appear to be a conglomerate of male and female organs such that tit may be difficult to classify the baby’s sex without further examination.

10. In the past, this condition is referred to as hermaphroditism (from Hermes, a male Greek God and Aphrodite, a female Greek Goddess.) In modern times, the term intersexuality is used to refer this phenomenon. Hermaphroditism or intersexuality- is a naturally occurring variation in humans and animals. SEX is typically determined by examining your genitals these are external organs that are associated with production -the process or the ability to create offspring.

11. Since it may be difficult to distinguish biological sex by merely examining the genitals, there are other biological markers used. For instance, your chromosomes protein structures which contain your genetic materials are also used to determine sex. We’re typically taught that people with XX chromosomes are female and people with XY chromosomes are male. This excludes folks with a DSD who may have different chromosomal configurations or other differences in sexual development. It also doesn’t account for the fact that Tran’s people often have chromosomes that don’t “match” their sex. A transgender woman, for example, can be female but still have XY chromosomes.

12. PRIMARY SEX CHARACTERISTICS We tend to associate a predominance of estrogen with females which are associated to lactation, menstruation, and other female reproductive functions and a predominance of testosterone with males which is associated with sex drive and aggressions. It’s important to understand that every person has both of these hormones. In fact, estradiol , the predominant form of estrogen, is critical to   sexual function trusted source   for people who were assigned male at birth. Estradiol plays a significant role in sexual arousal, sperm production, and erectile function. Although hormone replacement therapy is an option for Trans and gender non-conforming people, a Tran’s man who isn’t on hormones, for example, isn’t any less male than one who is.

13. SECONDARY SEX CHARACTERISTICS Many secondary sex characteristics are easily identifiable. This includes facial hair, breast tissue, and vocal range . Because of this, they’re often used to make quick assessments about sex. But secondary sex characteristics vary greatly; regardless of whether someone identifies with the sex they were assigned at birth. Take facial hair, for example. Some people who were assigned female at birth may go on to develop facial hair, and some who were assigned male at birth may not grow any at all.

14. What is gender?

15. Gender  is a term that refers to social or cultural distinctions associated with being male or female. One important aspect of our gender is our sense of who we are: Do we see and experience ourselves as a man, a woman, or neither this refers to our gender identity. Gender identity  is the extent to which one identifies as being either masculine or feminine. Typically, males are comfortable identifying as a man and females are comfortable identifying as a woman.

16. However, there are cases wherein a person’s biological sex does not align with one’s gender identity. People with this experience are referred to as transgenders , such as a male who does not feel comfortable identifying as a man (transgender woman) or a female who is comfortable identifying as a woman (transgender man). Transgender people may undergo gender reassignment surgery to align their physical characteristics to their gender identity. However, due to many factors such as belief systems, culture, and economics, some do not opt for surgery.

17. What’s the difference between gender and sex? A person’s sex , as determined by his or her biology, does not always correspond with his or her gender. Therefore, the terms  sex  and  gender  are not interchangeable. A baby boy who is born with male genitalia will be identified as male. As he grows, however, he may identify with the feminine aspects of his culture. Since the term  sex  refers to biological or physical distinctions, characteristics of sex will not vary significantly between different human societies. For example, all persons of the female sex, in general, regardless of culture, will eventually menstruate and develop breasts that can lactate. Characteristics of gender, on the other hand, may vary greatly between different societies.

18. For example, in American culture, it is considered feminine (or a trait of the female gender) to wear a dress or skirt. However, in many Middle Eastern, Asian, and African cultures, dresses or skirts (often referred to as sarongs, robes, or gowns) can be considered masculine. The kilt worn by a Scottish male does not make him appear feminine in his culture SEX GENDER Primarily refers to physical attributes-body characteristics notably sex organ which are distinct in majority of individuals. Is the composite of attitudes and behavior of men and women (masculinity and femininity) Is biologically determined – by genes and hormones media; thus it Is learned and perpetuated primarily through: the family, education, religion (where dominant) and is an acquired identity Is relatively fixed/constant through time and across cultures Because it is socialized, it may be variable through time and across cultures.

19. SEXUAL ORIENTATION Another aspect of our gender pertains to our emotional and sexual attraction to a person. This aspect refers to our sexual orientation . According to Psychological Association of the Philippines, typically ages 6 or 8, we experience or develop attraction to other people. By adolescence, we already know we are attracted to and would experiment through dating and relationships. Everyone’s sexuality is different and deeply personal. Our capacity for emotional and sexual attraction is diverse and complex, but there are a few common terms or labels for us to use.

20. People who are attracted to the opposite sex are called “heterosexuals or straight”. People who are attracted to people of the same sex are called “ homosexuals” “gay” or “lesbian”. “Bisexual” or “bi” people are attracted to both sexes, male or female. LGBT refers to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community

21. CHAPTER 2: SEX ROLES and GENDER ROLES This module seeks to understand the difference between sex roles and gender roles. The terms sex roles and gender roles often are used interchangeably to denote a repertoire of emotions, attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions that are commonly associated more with one sex than with the other.

22. Sex Roles Sex roles refer to socially coded behaviors and practices often related to a person's reproductive capacities , such as women with the roles of motherhood and men with fatherhood. Notions of sex roles tend to privilege biological factors such as internal or external sex organs, chromosomes and hormones as determining a person's social placement as either male or female, man or woman.

23. Such determinations rely on a dualistic or binary understanding of sexual difference emphasized in most patriarchal cultures, but how the differences between the two sexes are expressed varies greatly between cultures and historical periods. Stereotypes about sexual difference —such as men are rational and strong, therefore, women are emotional and weak—often affect a person's notions of sex roles but fail to indicate any natural or essential truth about sexual differences

24. Some scientists and scholars argue that external and internal sex markers are overwhelmingly ambiguous, which suggests that sex is not binary but multiple and that even notions of biological sex are culturally, not naturally, produced. Among scholars of sex and gender, however, there is considerable debate about how and to what degree biological sex may be linked to social roles and gender identity.

25. Gender Roles As we grow, we learn how to behave from those around us. In this socialization process, children are introduced to certain roles that are typically linked to their biological sex. The term  gender role  refers to society’s concept of how men and women are expected to act and how they should behave .

26. These roles are based on norms, or standards, created by society. In American culture , masculine roles are usually associated with strength, aggression, and dominance, while feminine roles are usually associated with passivity, nurturing, and subordination. Role learning starts with socialization at birth. Even today, our society is quick to outfit male infants in blue and girls in pink, even applying these color-coded gender labels while a baby is in the womb.

27. One way children learn gender roles is through play. Parents typically supply boys with trucks, toy guns, and superhero paraphernalia, which are active toys that promote motor skills, aggression, and solitary play. Daughters are often given dolls and dress-up apparel that foster nurturing, social proximity, and role play.

28. Studies have shown that children will most likely choose to play with “gender appropriate” toys (or same-gender toys) even when cross-gender toys are available because parents give children positive feedback (in the form of praise, involvement, and physical closeness) for gender normative behavior .

29. A. Gender division of labor The division of labor refers to the way each society divides work among men and women , boys and girls, according to socially-established gender roles or what is considered suitable and valuable for each sex. Anyone planning a community intervention needs to know and understand the division of labor and allocation of assets on a sex-and-age disaggregated basis for every community affected by development interventions.

30. In each society, men and women perform gender-specific tasks to help support their families and communities . In the Republic of the Philippines, Western influence and colonization have greatly contributed to this gendered division of labor, with men working for pay outside the home and women working within

31. Because this gave men financial and political control over their families, a social hierarchy formed in which women was typically subjugated to both their husbands and their patriarchal governments, which supported this division. In recent decades, however, the distinction between the roles of men and women has blurred. The Philippines, like many other undeveloped countries, is exporting an ever-growing portion of its female workforce to the First World, where the majority of these women will work for pay as domestics and prostitutes. This unparalleled labor trend has had dramatic consequences on the migrant women, their children and families, and the society of the Philippines.

32. Gender Exclusive Tasks : Men generally handle heavier tasks that are often dangerous. They generally engage in warfare and usually exercise political leadership . Men are said to be able to mobilize strength in quick bursts of energy Matches most tasks done by males, including hunting, clearing land (upper left), and heavy construction .

33. Women generally handle domestic duties and rear children. Often the tasks they handle are compatible with child care. Women handle tasks compatible with child care (especially at breastfeeding) Tasks are interruptible to tend to child (such as cultivating local fields); tasks do not take them away for long t asks do not place children in danger.

34. Gender Division of Labor / Shared Tasks : Either or both genders perform handicrafts: weaving, leatherworks, pottery, basketry, and others both genders tend and milk cattle and other herd animals, plant the fields, tend them during the growing season, and harvest the crops they handle other sundry tasks, such as smoke or otherwise preserve meat or fish

35. B. Socialization and Socialization Agents Socialization  is the lifelong process through which people learn the values and norms of a given society .  Socialization  is not the same as socializing. Socializing is to mix socially with others (i.e., family, friends, neighbors, coworkers), whereas socialization is a process that may include socializing as one element, but is a more complex, multi-faceted and formative set of interactive experiences. It is also an adaptive lifelong learning experience, because society is constantly changing, and because we may find ourselves in new situations—such as a new job with different norms and values, or in a different familial role—such as that of parent or caregiver to an older relative.

36. Social Group Agents Family The family gets the baby first. Hence the process of socialization begins in the family. A child is born with some basic abilities that are genetically transmitted through germplasm. These abilities and capacities are shaped in ways determined by culture. The mother with whom the relation of the child is the most intimate plays a significant role in the process of molding the child in the initial stages. Subsequently, father and older siblings transmit to the child many other values, knowledge and skill that children are expected to acquire in that particular society.

37. Peer Group As the child grows older, his contemporaries begin to influence him. He spends most of his spare hours outside his work and study schedule with his peers in the playground and places outside his home. The attraction of peers is virtually irresistible to him. He learns from them and they also learn from him. With the passage of time, the peer group influence surpasses at of parents significantly. It is not surprising that teen age is the age of parent-child misunderstanding.

38. In the socialization of the child, the members of the family, particularly those who exercise authority over him, and the members of his peer group exercise two different kinds of influence upon him. Both authoritarian relationships (typified by the former) and equalitarian relationships (typified by the latter) are equally significant to him. He acquires the virtues of respect, constraint and obedience from the first type of relationships, and the virtues of co-operation based on trust and mutual understanding from the second.

39. School When the child comes to the school, his formal indoctrination into the culture of the society begins. He is exposed to a wider background than hitherto known to him. He is formally introduced to the lore and the learning, the arts and the sciences, the values and the beliefs, the customs and taboos of the society from a wider circle, his teachers play a very significant role. The child may admire, respect and love some of his teachers. The impression which they make during this impressionable age lasts almost throughout his life.

40. Religion While some religions are informal institutions, here we focus on practices followed by formal institutions. Religion is an important avenue of socialization for many people. The United States is full of synagogues, temples, churches, mosques, and similar religious communities where people gather to worship and learn. Like other institutions, these places teach participants how to interact with the religion’s material culture (like a mezuzah, a prayer rug, or a communion wafer).

41. For some people, important ceremonies related to family structure—like marriage and birth—are connected to religious celebrations. Many religious institutions also uphold gender norms and contribute to their enforcement through socialization. From ceremonial rites of passage that reinforce the family unit to power dynamics that reinforce gender roles, organized religion fosters a shared set of socialized values that are passed on through society.

42. Mass Media Mass media distribute impersonal information to a wide audience, via television, newspapers, radio, and the Internet. With the average person spending over four hours a day in front of the television (and children averaging even more screen time), media greatly influences social norms. People learn about objects of material culture (like new technology and transportation options), as well as nonmaterial culture—what is true (beliefs), what is important (values), and what is expected (norms).