Gender And Society Introduction PDF

GENDER AND SOCIETY CHARLES DOMINIC F. ORTIGOSA, RPm SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT College of Arts and Sciences COURSE DESCRIPTION Gender is a one of the most talked issue in the society today. It has been part of one’s identity. As human beings, we are gendered and that we...

GENDER AND SOCIETY CHARLES DOMINIC F. ORTIGOSA, RPm SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT College of Arts and Sciences COURSE DESCRIPTION Gender is a one of the most talked issue in the society today. It has been part of one’s identity. As human beings, we are gendered and that we produce gendered institutions every day. These institutions flourish due to the interplay of gender, sex, race, class, age and ethnicity that produce stereotyping among members of the society. Gender shapes lives in powerful and influential ways. This course is designed to give an overview of the Sociology of gender. While gender will be the pivotal axis, this course will also be exploring the interplay of gender, class, race and ethnicity to broaden the students’ conception of femininity and masculinity in order to eradicate hegemonic ideologies and reframe understanding of femininities and masculinities. It will consider the social and political context in which gender, as a complex process of identity and performance, is played out. COURSE DESCRIPTION Various social forces that affect the diverse experiences of women and men with different identities (class, sexuality, race, etc.) will be identified. It will develop students’ ability to apply their academic work to their own experiences and see how they are situated in gendered institutions and culture. Various forms of media that provide gendered messages that reflect and reproduce gender inequality will be taken into account. One of the primary goals during this course is to help you develop what the eminent sociologist, C. Wright Mills, called the sociological imagination. The sociological imagination enables one to understand how a person’s social position (standpoint) in society (and the world) influences who they are, who they may become, the choices they will have, and the decision they will make. Further, it allows one to see how his or her personal troubles are often the result of a society’s public issues. This ability to see the social in the personal will be one of the most important conceptual tools, one will ever develop and being able to integrate the academic experience with personal experience will be invaluable. OBJECTIVES At the end of this unit, the students will be to: Differentiate sex and gender, transgender and transsexual, equality and equity, and gender equality and women’s right; Discuss the implication of these differences; and Identify the various gender categories Differentiate the following Sex vs Gender Transgender vs Transsexual Gender Equality vs Gender Equity Gender Orientation vs Sexual Orientation Gender equality and women’s right SEX and GENDER HERMAPHRODITISM/ INTERSEX HERMAPHRODITISM/ INTERSEX TRANSGENDER AND TRANSSEXUAL GENDER EQUALITY AND GENDER EQUITY Sameness Fairness WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY WOMEN’S RIGHT - entitlements that women have on the basis that they are human. -normatively based in several international human rights documents (e.g. The Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)). - Arranged around the concept of duty bearer & rights holder Gender equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex are fundamental human rights. It also implies equal enjoyment of rights by man and women. Sexual Orientation Another aspect of our gender pertains to our emotional and sexual orientation to a person. According to the Psychological Association of the Philippines, typically at ages 6 or 8, we experience or develop attraction to other people. By adolescence, we already know who we are attracted to and would experiment through dating and relationships. GENDER CONCEPTS OBJECTIVES At the end of this lesson, the students will be to: Identify the different concepts in Gender through an activity; Discuss their understanding of these concepts; and Apply their knowledge in real life when addressing gender-related issues. Gender Stereotypes Beliefs about the characteristics and qualities attributed to men and women in society.  Influences on Gender Identity and Stereotypes MEDIA FRIENDS FAMILY SCHOOL Gender Discrimination Any distinction, exclusion or preference made on the basis of race, color, sex, political opinion, national extraction or social origin which has the effect of nullifying or impairing equality of opportunity or treatment in employment or occupation. Types of Gender Discrimination Discrimination education Discrimination in employment Maternity and pregnancy discrimination Gender Violence To harm done unto a person or groups of people due to their gender. Gender Sensitivity Understanding how stereotypes, discrimination, and gender roles adversely affect people. Gender Mainstreaming The process of assessing the implications for women and men of any planned action, including legislation policies, or programs, in all areas and at all levels. Gender Equality Both men and women are free to develop their personal abilities and make choices without the limitations set by stereotypes, rigid gender roles, and prejudices. Gender Equity Equal treatment or treatment that is different but which is considered equivalent in terms of rights, benefits, obligations and opportunities.  Sex Role Refers to standards and rules of behavior and practices often related to a person’s reproductive capacity. Feminine Role- child bearing, lactation, gestation/pregnancy Masculine role- ovum fertilization, produce sperm Gender Roles these are the social expectations comprising a range of behaviors and attitudes considered acceptable and appropriate based on the assigned sex (Levesque, 2011)  Gender Role ON THE BASES OF SEXUAL DIVISION OF LABOR, 5 BASIC CATEGORIES OF HUMAN ACTIVTIES: 1. Reproductive role – childbearing/rearing responsibilities and domestic tasks done by women a. Human or biological reproduction b. Reproduction of labor c. Social reproduction  Gender Role 2. Productive role – social production/ production of commodities in which goods and services are for exchange rather than for immediate consumption  Gender Role 3. Community management role- related to governance of community life, the organization of cultural and social activities. 4. Community Politics Role – activity undertaken by men at the community level. Organizing at the formal political within the framework of national politics.  Gender Role 5. Multiple roles – both men and women play multiple roles. Gender Identity a person's perception of having a particular gender, which may or may not correspond with their birth sex.  GENDER CATEGORIES (LGBTQIAP) Lesbian a woman who is sexually attracted to other women : a female homosexual. Gay a man who is sexually attracted to other men : a male homosexual. Bisexual sexually attracted not exclusively to people of one particular gender; attracted to both men and women. Transgender denoting or relating to a person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond with their birth sex. Queer a person who is unsure of their sexuality at that given time Intersex is a general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn't fit the typical definitions of female or male. Asexual is an individual who is not sexually attracted to either men or women. Pansexual is someone who is attracted – either emotionally, physically or both – to all genders. GENDER FAIR LANGUAGE  Guidelines in the Use of Gender 1.Principles Fair Language 1.1. Respect for the inherent dignity, worth and rights of all people 1.2. Inclusiveness 1.3. Gender equality 2.Guidelines 2.1. The use of “man” to refer to all human beings reinforces the invisibility of women. Replace with “person” or “human being” or their plural form, i.e. “persons” and “human beings” 2.2. “He” ceases to be the universal pronoun. Replace with “she or he” or “he” and “she”. 2.3. Use parallel language when you refer to men and women at the same time. Examples: a.Replace “man and wife” with “husband and wife” b.Replace “Mr. Gnes Jayawon and his wife Euna "with “Mr. Gnes and Ms. Euna Jayawon” or “Gnes and Euna Jayawon”. 2.4. The order of your words should reflect you stand for gender equality. Example “Always putting men first in such phrases as men and women, boys and girls, he or she, his and hers, male and female gives the impression that women are afterthoughts or somehow less important than men” (Wright, 2003) Solution: “Alternate the word order, so that neither X women nor men always go first” (Wright, 2003) 2.5. Refrain from using feminine suffixes such as – ette, -ess and –trix. Use the same generic noun for males and females Examples: Use 1.Actor instead of actress 2.Waiter instead of waitress 3.Sculptor instead of sculptress 2.6. Describe the woman not as appendage of her husband but as someone autonomous. Example: Francis Hutba and his lovely wife Daisy attended the meeting. Replace with: Francis and Daisy Hutba attended the meeting. 2.7. Do not use words or sentences that have assumptions, hidden or otherwise about gender. Example: The Social Workers and their husbands will be attending the meeting. (Replace with: The Social Workers and their spouses..)  2.8. “Avoid words and phrases that make assumptions about how women behave such as describing a man as aggressive or assertive, while a woman is strident, shrill or bitchy and stereotypical terms and phrases like the better half, just like a man…” (Wright, 2003) 3. The Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 12, S. @2005, issued on March 30, 2005, encourages government officials and employees to use non-sexist language in all its official documents, issuances and communications Key One Learning Points contributions to gender equality is our everyday use of language Be sensitive to any discriminatory content of verbal and written communication. Discrimination may be based on age, social class, and gender, physical ability, and other attributes.  Ways on how to achieve sustainable development on gender equality Cares to give fair recognition of both genders Opposes languange use that restricts genders Making proper addresses Brings forth messages with sensitivity Avoids exclusionary expression Treats all individuals with tact and sense CONCLUSION You do not have to be a woman to understand that everyone must be treated with the same respect and that everyone is free and equal in dignity and in rights.