GNED10:

GENDER & SOCIETY

M R . B O B BY T O L I N G M O N Z A LE S J R . , R E G IS T E RE D P S Y C H OME T RI C IA N
CHAPTER IV
GE N DE R A N D FA M I LY
GENDER ROLE IN THE FAMILY
A gender role in the family is a set of societal norms dictating what types of behaviors
are generally considered acceptable, appropriate, or desirable for a person based on
their actual or perceived sex. These are usually centered around opposing conceptions
of femininity and masculinity, although there are myriad exceptions and variations.
The specifics regarding these gendered expectations may vary substantially among
cultures, while other characteristics may be common throughout a range of cultures.
There is ongoing debate as to what extent gender roles and their variations are
biologically determined, and to what extent they are socially constructed.
INSTRUMENTAL AND
EXPRESSIVE ROLES
Instrumental roles typically involve work outside of the family that provides financial
support and establishes family status. Expressive roles typically involve work inside of
the family which provides emotional support and physical care for children (Crano
and Aronoff 1978). In many societies, males assume the instrumental role and females
assume the expressive role; however, as the structure of the family has changed over
time, along with changing values and norms related to gender identity, these roles are
not so easily categorized by gender.
GENDER STEREOTYPES IN THE FAMILY
Parents and children are immersed in a social and cultural environment that produces
and perpetuates gender stereotypes which they may eventually introduce in the family
such as the choice in clothing , toys to play with, and television shows while friends and
extended family members as well, will communicate messages, explicitly and
implicitly, about what is considered ‘appropriate’ for mother, daughter/s, and son/s in
their family (Witts, 1997).
Gender stereotypes have descriptive components, or beliefs about how males and
females typically act, as well as prescriptive components, or beliefs about how males
and females should act. For example, women are supposed to be nurturing and avoid
dominance, and men are supposed to be agentic and avoid weakness.
GENDER INEQUALITY (structure)
IN THE FAMILY
Families are not democracies. each family has its own ways of deciding who has the
power and authority within the family unit, and which rights, privileges, obligations,
and roles are assigned to each family member .
In patriarchal societies such as the Philippines, men have traditionally had power over
women, including within the family. Traditionally, fathers have been the providers and
authority figures, but while they may be the final decision makers, they often have
assumed only limited functions beyond that in the family. Mothers have been
caretakers, responsible for the emotional side of the family; they have been kept the
family together and functioning smoothly. What this means is that the mothers and
fathers are likely to hold different positions in the family hierarchy, that mothers take
primary responsibility and that fathers may have only partial responsibilities for day-
to-day parental decisions.
GAD Mainstreaming
in Filipino Family
International Day of Families
The International Day of Families is observed on the 15th of May every year. The day
was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 and reflects the importance the
international community attaches to families. The 2015 observance of the International
Day of Families aims to promote gender equality and rights of children within
families. It also highlights prevention of family violence through fair family law
frameworks and a variety of program interventions.
For the Philippines, one major accomplishment was the passage of the Responsible
Parenthood and Reproductive Health (RPRH) Bill into law in 2012. The Beijing
Declaration and Platform for Action that was approved in September 1995 at the
Fourth World Conference on Women, is a global pledge to attaining equality,
development and peace for women worldwide. It requires all government to develop
policies and national plans of action to implement the platform locally. As part of
accomplishment of the Government of the Philippines was the mandatory provision of
a budget to alotted to the Gender and Development (GAD) initiatives.
Understanding the
Filipino family
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FILIPINO FAMILY
(Cordero, Panopio & Raymundo, 1994)
❑The Filipino family is frequently said to be patriarchal in authority. As cited, the
patriarchal family is one factor responsible for the solidarity of the family (Macaraig,
1948).

❑Jocano (1969) reiterated that the Filipino social organization is based on the principles
of generation and seniority.

❑The Filipino family is also bilateral in terms of reckoning descent and social allocation
(Medina, 1991).
Changing Gender Role Pattern in
Filipino Family
The family structure had gradually undergone some modifications as modernization
progresses the pattern of authority. Traditionally, deference is given to age. Headship of
the household is automatically assumed by the oldest male. Although the deference may
still be given to the elderly as to formally acknowledge head of the family., the young
and better educated breadwinner today may actually be the decision maker and real
manager of the household.
GENDER STEREOTYPES IN THE
FILIPINO FAMILY
Just like any culture, gender stereotypes in family are prominent in the Philippines. In
traditional world, the stereotypical woman can be described as a stay at home mother
while the stereotypical man can be described as the money-maker who provides for his
family.
CHALLENGES OF TODAY’S
GENDERED FILIPINO FAMILY
Some years ago, Bishop Jesus Varela, Bishop-Emeritus of the Diocese of Sorsogon,
shared several threats and deficiencies that confront Filipino families today (Mendoza-
Dayrit, 2017). What are some of these threats:

1. negative influence of mass media;

2. economic pressure;

3. materialism; and

4. anti-life and anti-family campaigns.

During the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. 2 Filipino
Archbishops raise concerns on the biggest challenges and trends affecting Filipino
families (Lozada, 2015).
For Tagle and Villegas, the following are the
highlights of the synod:
a. Filipino families are ‘forced’ to separate due to migration

b. Poverty affects families the most

c. ‘Irregular’ relationships, divorce are being debated

d. Homosexuals are ‘children of God’

a. Filipino families are ‘forced’ to
separate due to migration
Migration due to economic reasons is often the reason families are separated in the
Philippines. “In the Philippines, many married couples separate not because they hate
each other. They choose separation because of their love for their family. And their bear
the pain of separation just to find jobs elsewhere,” Tagle said.
Villegas noted, however, that poverty is not always the reason married people have to
leave. “In the Filipino psyche is a romanticized notion of the west as the land of
opportunity accompanied by a deprecator assessment of the Philippine situation. It is
not really poverty alone, not perhaps principally, does that sunder families. It is rather
the idealization of the West as the Land of Promise,” Villegas said.
b. Poverty affects families the most
Tagle said that for married people and those families, the economic crisis could lead
them to be more attached to their jobs than to their families. “Challenges and pressures
in job-seeking and in the workplace could lead to a perspective that spending time with
the family is ‘wasting time,’ time which could otherwise be spent more productively on
another part-time job or for extended work hours.”
c. ‘Irregular’ relationships, divorce are
being debated
On his reflections after the synod, Villegas said Christians should exert genuine efforts
to reach out to Filipino families in ‘irregular’ relationships – those live-in unions, de
facto separation from spouses, and other partnerships.
d. Homosexuals are ‘children of God’
Although the Church does not acknowledge gay marriage, Villegas maintained
homosexuals must be respected. “Persons with homosexual orientation are sons and
daughters of God, no less than any of us are. Discrimination against them is contrary to
the Gospel spirit. Verbal and physical violence against them is an offense against the
good Lord himself,” he added.
CHANGING EQUAL ROLES IN THE FAMILY
In most of the societies, the family systems are based on gender roles and it is the pre-
designed gender roles that help members of the family to run the family with bound
responsibilities.

But today, the modern life has very much changed the family structure and the gender
roles have been diverting from the traditional responsibilities and path of
performance. In fact, the gap between different genders in the family has melted down,
creating a more equalized family.
CHANGING EQUAL ROLES IN THE FAMILY
All family members live together, taking decisions together, expressing opinions
openly, criticizing and encouraging mutually, and ye being independent and
responsible. The modern family structure sees both fathers and mothers with their
children as equal partners with equal rights, status, and responsibility. This is a sudden
change of concepts of a male dominated society.

So today, both the parents work and earn for the family and both father and mother
enjoy equal statues and financial independence. At this point, the role of homemaker
become no one’s responsibility and both the partners may insist the other one to the
homemaker. Adjustments, understanding and empathy are important aspects that may
help a smooth-running family.