Gender as a Social Construct PDF

GENDER AS A SOCIAL CONSTRUCT SEX AND GENDER AS CONCEPTS Ma. Expedita B. Artiaga Associate Professor IV SEX  Sex Defined Sex refers to the TWO categories of being Male and Female – needed for the act mating to result in biological reproduction. Sex is biologically determ...

GENDER AS A SOCIAL CONSTRUCT SEX AND GENDER AS CONCEPTS Ma. Expedita B. Artiaga Associate Professor IV SEX  Sex Defined Sex refers to the TWO categories of being Male and Female – needed for the act mating to result in biological reproduction. Sex is biologically determined (external genetalia or sex organ; chromosomal make-up; qualities of hormones) Sex is constant across time, across different societies and cultures GENDER  Gender Defined Gender refers to the differentiated social roles, behaviors, capacities, intellectual, emotional and social characteristics attributed by a given culture to women and men. It is one makes one masculine and feminine. Gender is socially determined and a learned behavior Gender changes across time, places and cultures  SEX GENDER BORN WITH SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED CANNOT BE CHANGED CHANGEABLE - only women can give - women can do birth traditionally male jobs - only men can produce - men can take good care sperm of children  Sex and Gender Roles Sex role function – role which male or female assumes because of basic physiological or anatomical differences Reproductive Function MALE FEMALE Ovum Fertilization Gestation Sperm determines sex of Child Bearing child Lactation  Sex and Gender Roles Gender Role - roles assigned to men and women based on their gender - refers to activities which are considered appropriate and acceptable for boys or girls; men or women - part of gender norms; it is society’s evaluation of behavior as a masculine or feminine  3 Aspects of Gender Roles Positions within a social structure/heirarchy indicating:  Where women and men belong, or  are expected to belong. Behaviors prescribed for women and men. Proper relationships between roles. GENDER STEREOTYPES Gender_Roles_and_Stereotypes(240p).3gp  GENDER STEREOTYPES It is the tendency or attitude, to ascribe particular traits, characteristics and roles distinctly to men and particular traits, characteristics, roles distinctly to women The assumption behind stereotyping is that the ascribed attributes of men apply to all men and that of women apply to all women in a given society. The confusion between sex and gender gives rise to such stereotypes as: Men: Physically stronger, then, they are better engineers, architects, welders or carpenters. They are the protectors of women. Women: Physically weak, then, they need protection from men. They are better nurses, teachers, secretaries, and retail salespersons. They need to be protected by men. The confusion between sex and gender gives rise to such stereotypes as: Men: Bravery, aggressiveness, independence, and the ability to control emotions are traits of men. Women: Timidity, passivity, while emotionally dependent demonstrative, loving, self sacrificing and being peaceful of are traits of women. The confusion between sex and gender gives rise to such stereotypes as: Men: Work is the center of their lives. Reason is the basis for decision- making. Decisive. Women: Relationship both within and outside the family is the center of their lives. Intuition is basis of decision-making. Whimsical and fickle minded The confusion between sex and gender gives rise to such stereotypes as: Men: More fit to be leaders, head of families, business enterprises, social and political organizations, states, armies and communities. Women: More fit to take secondary roles.  Traditional gender roles divide men and women from each other. Deny women access to the public world of: WORK POWER ACHIEVEMENT INDEPENDENCE Deny men access to be: NURTURERS EMOTIONAL Gender Division of Labor GENDER ROLES MALE FEMALE Productive Reproductive Role Role Community Role Gender Roles & the Division of Labor Community management role: usually unpaid or voluntary work community health care,  child care,  water , food collection and exchange. Typically done by women for the maintenance of community resources; Community politics role: exercise of authority  use of power to manage community life  often undertaken by men,  in the context of informal (or traditional)  or formal governance mechanisms. Gender and the Role of Social Institutions Gender norms are taught and reinforced by various social institutions.  Social institutions reinforce social values that boys and girls, men and women; are not only different from each other, but also, they are not equal. Boys and men have more value than women. Social Institutions: Family Has the most influence because the formative years of every individual is almost always spent with and developed by the family. Education/School The formal school system promotes and encourages the different gender roles between men and women Religion Reinforcing gender stereotypes through religious teachings, doctrines and symbols Work Gender discrimination in relation to occupation and pay Balance of family life and work Question of power relations as well access and control to resources Religion Reinforcing gender stereotypes through religious teachings, doctrines and symbols Work Gender discrimination in relation to occupation and pay Balance of family life and work Question of power relations as well access and control to resources Mass Media  Reinforcing gender stereotypes and sex based discrimination through media portrayal of men and women The State  Creates laws and policies that ensure the maintenance of the system.  Instrumental in passing laws that are discriminatory to women and other sexual orientations GENDER SOCIALIZATION LEVELS 1. Stereotyping 2. Gender bias 3.Gender discrimination 4. Inequality MARGINALIZATION: (economic) The process which forces women out: Into the periphery of economic & social life, On the periphery of decision-making process As well as diminishing the value of the activities in which they engage and through which they contribute to the national development process.  Under or non- valuation/recognition of Women’s work Women have less access to and control over resources and benefits Unequal pay for work of equal value Last to be hired, first to be fired Limited opportunities Exacting sexual favor  THANK YOU HAVE A NICE DAY