Understanding Sex and Gender

• To be a male or a female, to be feminine or masculine, or to be man or woman are all questions to ask
• It is important to understand how a person's gender is expressed from birth to adulthood

Sex

• Sex is the biological dimension of gender and sexuality
• Sex, also referred to as biological sex or physical sex, generally relates to your identity based on sexual anatomy and physiology.
• Sex is determined by examining genitals, the external organs associated with reproduction

Intersexuality

• In the past, the condition of intersexuality was referred to as hermaphroditism from Hermes and Aphrodite, Greek gods
• Intersexuality or hermaphroditism is a naturally occurring human and animal variation, with about 1 in 1,500 births

Gender

• Males are typically expected to be masculine and females are expected to be feminine
• When parents are aware of their child's sex, they automatically attach social and cultural meanings to their child's sex
• Parents set expectations for how their child should behave and be treated based on their sex
• Gender is the social dimension of one's sexuality
• Throughout childhood and adolescence, gender expectations extend beyond clothing to behavior
• Females and males are expected to stick to behaviors aligned with their biological sex

Heteronormativity

• Heteronormativity determines the normality of a behavior based on its conformity to expectations relative to one's biological sex
• Filipino culture expects girls to be gentle, caring, and loving, while boys are encouraged to be strong, rough, and assertive
• These expectations extend to behavior, college courses, and job choices

Gender Expression

• There is natural variation in human gender expression, with some people not following culturally accepted standards of masculinity and femininity
• Wearing pants is now an accepted fashion trend among people of different genders, unlike 60 years ago when it was socially disapproved

Gender Identity

• Gender is expressed based on social and cultural settings, with cultures having different standards for how men and women present themselves
• Gender identity is one's sense of being a man, a woman, or neither
• Typically, males identify as men and females as women, but not always

Transgender

• Transgenders are people whose experience does not align with their biological sex
• Examples include a male who does not feel comfortable identifying as a man (transgender woman) or a female who is not comfortable identifying as a woman (transgender man).
• Transgender people may have gender reassignment surgery to align their physical characteristics to their gender identity, however, many do not due to factors such as belief systems, culture and economics

Sexual Orientation

• Sexual orientation pertains to emotional and sexual attraction to a person
• Attraction to others develops around ages 6 or 8

Sexual Orientations

• Heterosexuals are attracted to the opposite sex
• Homosexuals ("gay" or "lesbian") are attracted to the same sex
• "Bisexual" or "bi" people are attracted to both sexes
• LGBT refers to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community
• Nature and nurture play a complex role in shaping sexual orientation
• Homosexuality and heterosexuality are part of human sexuality and experience

Gender & Assigned Sex

• Individuals are born and given an assigned sex based on genitals
• People are raised to be a 'man' or a 'woman' based on accepted social and cultural standards
• Social and cultural standards change through time
• Discovering emotional and sexual attraction happens in adolescence
• The complexities of human sexuality can be overwhelming and fostering an inclusive environment wherein everyone feels safe is very important at this stage

Considerations & Contemplations

• Consider how the phrases babae kase, lalake kase, haligi ng tahanan, ilaw ng tahanan, and pakipot communicate patriarchy
• Determine which phrase(s) strongly suggest male dominance or female subordination

Guide To Questioning

• Consider which phrase(s) suggest male dominance or female subordination and explain your reasoning
• Consider whether the phrases reflect positive or negative views of gender roles, and justify your answer
• Consider how these phrases might affect individuals' self-perception and expectations
• Consider how to promote equitable and inclusive language that avoids gender stereotypes

Gender and Sexuality Across Time

• Information is available to everyone offering the opportunity to examine social and political conditions
• Human conceptions of gender and sexuality have changed

Historical Gender Roles

• Archeological artifacts show that in the distant past, human societies regarded women highly
• The concept of the divine feminine prevailed, and women were treated equally with men
• Paternity discovery in the agricultural era changed societal views of women and men
• Gender disparity was intensified in the Industrial era, where men were preferred for factory work due to perceived physical strength

Patriarchy

• Patriarchy originates from the Greek word Patriarkhes, meaning "the rule of the father"
• Patriarchy is a social system where men primarily hold power in political and private spheres
• Patriarchy operates through the control and oppression of women, who are seen as the weaker sex
• It came about when private property was created, asserting male dominance to control wealth and inheritance, according to Friedrich Engels

Historical Views on Gender

• Greek philosophers, like Aristotle and Plato, saw women as inferior, meant only to obey husbands and bear children
• Egyptian women had higher social status, inheriting property and engaging in trade, unlike Greek women
• Confucianism in China dictated strict rules for women, demanding obedience to their father, husband, and son

Subtle Forms of Patriarchy

• Sexism: prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination based on sex
• Gender Pay Gap: men earn more than women
• Underrepresentation: women are underrepresented in politics, the military, and executive positions
• Sexual Violence: high rates of rape and stigma prevent women from reporting the crime

Patriarchy in the Philippines

• Pre-Colonial Era: Filipino societies were not uniformly patriarchal; many had male leaders and rulers, but women held significant roles like priestesses
• Spanish Colonial Period (1565-1898): Spanish colonization brought European patriarchal norms, strict gender roles, and legal codes favoring men
• Spanish reinforced male authority and limited women to domestic spheres with restricted legal rights
• American Colonial Period (1898-1946): Under American rule, patriarchal norms persisted, influenced by Western ideals; traditional gender roles still limited women's participation though reforms were enacted
• Post-Colonial Period (1946-present): Patriarchal influence continued with women facing barriers even with advancements and legal reforms aimed at gender equality

Women Empowerment

• Women's liberation movement (feminism) aims to challenge the patriarchal society that creates oppressive structures against women

Waves of Feminism

• First-wave feminism (19th and early 20th centuries) focused on women's suffrage
• Second-wave feminism (1960s-80s) addressed social and cultural inequalities
• Third and fourth waves continue to fight for women's rights
• Key demands include suffrage, equality in politics and society, reproductive rights, addressing domestic and sexual violence, and equitable wages

Feminism in the Philippines

• Late 19th/early 20th centuries: figures like Trinidad Rizal and Marcela Agoncillo advocated for women's education
• 1970s: women's rights organizations and activists fought against gender discrimination and for women's participation in politics and society
• 1973 and 1987 constitutions included provisions for gender equality

Modern Feminism in the Phillipines

• Feminist advocacy expanded to address violence against women, reproductive rights, and economic inequality
• Activism of groups such as GABRIELA and the Women's Legal and Human Rights Bureau has been crucial in pushing for legislative changes and raising awareness about women's issues

Feminism's Achievements

• Suffrage: women gained the right to vote after World War I
• Education and Work: women gained access to education and the workforce
• Reproductive Rights: women gained more control over their bodies and reproductive choices
• Legal Protections: laws addressing domestic violence and sexual harassment were established

Feminist Achievements In The Phillipines

• Women's Suffrage (1937): Filipino women gained the right to vote in a plebiscite held on April 30, 1937, making the Philippines one of the early countries in Asia to grant women suffrage
• Magna Carta of Women (2009): Republic Act No. 9710, the Magna Carta of Women, promotes gender equality and women's rights. This addresses discrimination, violence, and economic empowerment
• Violence Against Women and Their Children Act (2004): Republic Act No. 9262 provides legal protection for women and children against various forms of abuse and violence, and establishes measures for their support and rehabilitation
• Reproductive Health Law (2012): Republic Act No. 10354, the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act, provides access to reproductive health services and education, including family planning and maternal care
• Anti-Sexual Harassment Act (1995): Republic Act No. 7877 addresses sexual harassment in workplaces and educational institutions, providing legal remedies for victims and setting guidelines for preventing harassment
• Women in Politics: increasing representation of women in political positions including presidents, senators, and local government officials
• Gender Sensitivity Training and Education: integrating gender studies and sensitivity training promotes awareness
• National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women (NCRFW): NCRFW is a Philippine government agency played a key role in advancing women's rights and gender equality through policy-making and advocacy
• Increased Public Awareness and Advocacy: Feminist groups and activists such as GABRIELA and the Women's Legal and Human Rights Bureau (WLB), have successfully raised awareness and lobbied for legal and social reforms, contributing to a broader recognition of gender issues

Gender Studies Overview

• Gender studies are about looking into, analyzing, and examining society to notice power relations in the seemingly "simple things"
• Analyze how gender, sex, and sexuality impact lives, as well as causes gender inequality
• Gender roles are sets of culturally defined behaviors such as masculinity and femininity
• Over time, human gender expression has varied

Goal Of Gender Studies

• Not just for women or about women, it is about everyone
• Explores how gender roles have changed throughout history and created inequalities

Gender Studies Reseach

• Gender Studies is a subject of inquiry and utilizes a systematic approach in identifying problems, making hypotheses and assumptions, gathering data, and making conclusions.

Qualitative Research Methods

• Focuses more on the meanings created and interpretations made by people about their own personal or vicarious experiences
• Phenomenology: intensive interviews to understand the "lived experience" of individuals who experienced an event
• Hermeneutics: understanding the meaning of texts (literary works, art works) and what they convey about human realities
• Ethnography and ethnomethodology: immersing in a community and taking note of their experiences, beliefs, attitudes, and practices

Quantitative Research Methods

• The quantitative approach focuses more on characterizing a population (total number of individual in a group) or a sample (a sub-group within the population)
• Sample data is used to make generalizations about the population based on the behavior of a sample
• Survey: use for collecting information from a sample
• Experiment: creating set-ups to observe behavior of people in an experimental group and comparing it to the behavior of people in a control group

Research Ethics

• Informed consent: Researchers must ensure participants are aware of the study's purpose and processes
• Written agreement is necessary, and participation must be voluntary
• Confidentiality and anonymity: Researchers should protect participants' identity and data

Study Eithics

• Non-maleficence and beneficence: A study is to cause no harm and must be beneficial
• Distributive justice: A study must not disadvantages marginalized groups and the benefits of a study be for all

Summary Of Learning

• Recognizing patriarchy in everyday actions is crucial to challenging and changing it
• Feminism has gained access to education, the right to vote, the right to work, control over reproduction, and the right to say no
• Achieving gender equality remains incomplete and advocating for non-sexist language, criticizing gendered metaphors, and supporting empowering laws can contribute