Understanding Sex, Gender, and Sexuality

Sex and Gender

• Sex refers to biological characteristics defining male and female, including chromosomes, reproductive organs, and secondary sexual characteristics like facial hair and breast development.
• Gender encompasses social, cultural, and psychological traits linked to masculinity and femininity, shaped by societal expectations and norms.
• Gender identity involves an internal perception of oneself as male, female, non-binary, or another gender identity, which may or may not align with their sex assigned at birth.
• Gender expression is how individuals present their gender through clothing, behavior, and outward appearance.
• Gender roles are social expectations about how men and women behave, varying across cultures and time.
• Gender stereotypes involve generalized, rigid beliefs about gender traits and roles, such as "men are strong" or "women are nurturing."
• Traditional beliefs strictly link sex and gender, but modern sociology and psychology recognize gender as a social construct.
• Examples include men in traditionally female-associated roles like cooking and childcare, and women excelling in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Gender Equality and Intersectionality

• Gender equality means all genders have the same opportunities and rights.
• Intersectionality examines how gender intersects with other social categories like race, class, and ability, leading to unique experiences of privilege or discrimination.

SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression)

• SOGIE is an acronym
• Sexual Orientation refers to who someone is romantically or sexually attracted to.
  • Heterosexual: Attraction to the opposite gender.
  • Homosexual (Gay/Lesbian): Attraction to the same gender.
  • Bisexual: Attraction to both genders.
  • Asexual: Little to no sexual attraction to any gender.
  • Pansexual: Attraction to people regardless of gender.
  • Bi-Curious: A person identifying as heterosexual and open to exploring same-gender attraction.
  • Autosexual: Attraction to oneself, often involving self-focused intimacy.
  • Demisexual: Only experiences sexual attraction after forming a strong emotional bond.
  • Androsexual: Attraction to masculinity, regardless of the person's sex or gender.
• Gender Identity: A person's internal experience of their gender, which may not align with the sex assigned at birth.
  • Transgender: A person whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth.
• Gender Expression: How a person presents their gender through external characteristics like clothing, speech, and mannerisms.
• Intersex Individuals are born with biological characteristics of both sexes, challenging the binary sex model.
• LGBTQIA+ describes a spectrum of gender identities and sexual orientations beyond traditional categories.

Culture vs. Instinct

• Instinct: Inborn behaviors that do not require learning (e.g., survival reflexes).
• Culture: A set of learned behaviors, beliefs, values, and norms passed down through generations.
• Unlike instinct, culture evolves and adapts based on social and environmental influences.

Factors That Cause Cultural Change

• Social & Economic Shifts: Changes in wealth distribution, industrialization, and social class structures alter cultural norms.
• Technological Advances: Innovations influence communication, work, and lifestyle (e.g., the internet, smartphones).
• Contact with Other Cultures: Migration, trade, and globalization introduce new ideas and traditions.
• Generational Changes: Younger generations bring different perspectives, leading to cultural evolution.
• Environmental Factors: Natural disasters, climate change, and resource availability shape cultural practices.

Women's Ways of Knowing (Belenky et al.)

• Silence Knowing: Women feeling voiceless due to societal expectations.
• Received Knowing: Relying on external authorities (e.g., teachers, parents) for knowledge.
• Subjective Knowing: Trusting personal experiences and intuition.
• Procedural Knowing: Using logical and analytical thinking to understand the world.
• Constructed Knowing: Integrating multiple viewpoints and critically evaluating knowledge sources.

Filipino Film Depictions of Gender Issues

• Himala (1982) explores faith, superstition, and gender expectations in the rural Philippines.
• Insiang (1976) highlights domestic abuse and female empowerment.
• Kisapmata (1981) focuses on the psychological impact of abusive family dynamics.
• Respeto (2017) tackles gender and poverty through rap music and self-expression.
• Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon (1976) examines cultural change and national identity.

Gender-Fair Language

• Language influences social perceptions of gender.
• Sexist language reinforces gender inequality by perpetuating stereotypes and limiting identities.

Common Gender-Fair Language Violations

• Invisibility of Women: male-dominated terms like "mankind" instead of "humankind".
• Gendered Job Titles: Words like "businessman" or "chairman" suggest that these roles are male-exclusive.
• Trivialization of Women: Labeling women differently (e.g., “lady doctor” instead of “doctor”).
• Objectification: Using diminutive terms like "honey" or "baby" for women in professional settings.

Women: A Sectorial Situationer

• A sectoral situationer provides an overview of the status, challenges, and opportunities for women in various fields.
  • Demographic Profile: Covers women's age distribution, education levels, employment status, and geographic location.
  • Labor Force Participation: Analyzes women's employment rates and barriers to career advancement.
  • Leadership and Decision-Making: Examines women's representation in leadership roles and gender diversity efforts.
  • Gender-Based Discrimination and Harassment: Addresses workplace discrimination and violence against women.
  • Entrepreneurship and Business Ownership: Explores women's participation in entrepreneurship and access to business opportunities.
  • Women and Education:
    • Enrollment and Access: progress and existing barriers, especially in rural and low-income areas.
    • Educational Attainment: Highlights increasing completion rates and persistent gender gaps in STEM fields.
    • Literacy Rates: improvements and remaining disparities due to systemic barriers.
    • Gender Equality and Quality of Education: efforts to eliminate stereotypes and create inclusive curricula.
    • Challenges and Barriers: issues like child marriage, gender-based violence, and inadequate infrastructure.

Efforts Toward Gender-Fair Language

• Gabriela Women's Party advocates for gender-neutral language in government documents and institutions.
• Educators and institutions are promoting gender-inclusive teaching materials.
• Efforts are ongoing to eliminate sexist language in workplaces and media.