SEX, GENDER, and SEXUALITY

(Part One)

•In these modern times, there are still manifestations showing the unequal recognition of genders in society.
•If discrimination against women is still severe, the same is true for individuals with varying gender identities and gender
expressions such as lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, and others.
•The issue on gender-based discrimination can be argued that this is what
We “woke up to” in society and most people are only continuing this “tradition”. However, if we only understand the root cause
of gender- based discrimination as the result of tradition and other factors assigned by humans and not assigned by biology, the
unequal recognition of genders could disappear and we can build a more gender-fair society. Perhaps the primary steps involve
understanding the meaning of basic gender concepts.

SEX AND GENDER

SEX
• refers to the anatomical and physiological characteristics of maleness or femaleness.
• tends to relate to biological differences.
• determined by a combination of genetics and the presence or absence of hormones testosterone and estrogen.

GENDER
• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), gender refers to the socially constructed characteristics
of women and men, such as norms, roles, and relationships of and between groups of women and men. It varies from society to
society and can be changed.
• different components relating to ideas of masculinity and femininity:
o gender identity
o gender presentation
o gender role

SEXUALITY

• can be broadly defined as how people experience and express themselves as sexual beings.
• Sexual orientation refers to established patterns of sexual attraction, to the same, opposite or both sexes:
o Heterosexual
o Homosexual
o bisexual
• Karl-Maria Kerthbeny is responsible for coining these terms in the late 19th century.

GENDER PRESENTATION

• Gender Presentation: The behaviors associated with masculinity and femininity: speech, dress, movement...etc.

GENDER IDENTITY

• the sense of ourselves as men, women or other gendered beings.

o GAY - A man who wants to partner with a fellow man

o LESBIAN - A woman who wants to partner with a fellow woman

o BISEXUAL - An individual who can partner with either a fellow man or a woman
 o TRANSGENDER - a broad term used to describe individuals that identify with a gender that is NOT associated with their
assigned birth sex...

o QUEER - An individual who does not agree with being categorized within any gender but whose identity is not within
the categories of man or woman, in both categories, or combination of these categories.

o ASEXUAL - An individual who does not feel any kind of sexual attraction to anyone

o CISGENDER - An individual whose gender identity is a match with their assigned sex at birth

o INTERSEXUAL - An individual who has the sex of both male and female

GENDER ROLES

• socially or culturally defined behavioral expectation that is presumed to apply to all individuals in a category.
• the social roles expected of men and women in a particular society; are specific behaviors and attitudes associated with and
established for men and women. Being masculine or feminine means displaying these roles appropriate for a person’s
biological sex.

SEX ROLES

• Sex Roles: Tasks that can be done by women only or men only based on their biological or physiological characteristics.
• It is essential to understand that sex roles and gender roles are different because the former are tasks that can be done by a
particular sex based on biological aspects, while the latter are tasks that can be done by women and men.

GENDER IDEOLOGY

• These are collective beliefs and treatment regarding what appropriate roles women and men have or do in society. It is often
the root cause of gender-based discrimination in society because it assigns appropriate roles for men and women, and whoever
goes against these roles is considered as “disobeying their assigned roles” in society.

GENDER: Biology and Culture

• Gender is determined by a large variety of factors, both biological and cultural.

FACTORS THAT SHAPE GENDER IDEOLOGY

Identifying the factors contributing to the formation of gender ideology is crucial in combating gender-based discrimination and
promoting gender equality. Key influencers include family, education, religion, media, and peer groups. Understanding these
influences enables efforts to establish fair treatment of genders and reduce sexism in society.

FAMILY

When parents have a new baby, the first question they typically ask is whether they have a girl or a boy. Children’s gender
assignment becomes a powerful social identity that shapes children’s lives. During early childhood, girls and boys spend much of
their time in the home with their families and look to parents and older siblings for guidance. Parents provide children with their
first lessons about gender. Possible ways that parents might influence children’s gender development include role modelling and
encouraging different behaviors and activities in sons and daughters. These ways can become our
basis in viewing gender roles of men and women in society.
EDUCATION

Schools significantly impact gender differentiation through direct and indirect means. They provide different skill practice and
reinforcement for girls and boys, influencing self-socialization along gendered pathways. With children spending considerable
time in school settings, schools serve as major contexts for gender socialization. Despite differences in psychological traits
between genders, there is often overlap in their distribution. Schools can either amplify or diminish gender differences by
creating environments that promote similarity within genders and differences between them.

RELIGION

Religion and gender equality share a complex relationship. Religion shapes cultural, social, economic, and political norms
globally, influencing gender roles and the status of women and men. Interpretations of religious texts by predominantly male
authorities over centuries have deeply impacted gender dynamics. Faith-based organizations, institutions, and actors, while
rooted in patriarchal traditions, also serve as influential agents of social change. The language of faith taps into profound human
motivations, mobilizing individuals and communities to pursue higher goals even at the expense of comfort and material wealth.

MEDIA

The media plays diverse roles in society, from reporting news to shaping interpretations and cultural norms. It can be a potent
force in advancing gender equality by advocating for fair treatment of women in the workplace and depicting accurate
representations of both genders. Children absorb gender stereotypes from various media, especially television, which
significantly influences their socialization. Daytime soap operas often portray women as dependent and incapable without
assistance, perpetuating ideas of female subordination and passivity among young audiences.

GENDER BIAS IN TELEVISION

The National Institute of Mental Health has determined:
o Men are usually more dominant in male-female interactions.
o Men on television are often portrayed as rational, ambitious, smart, competitive, powerful, stable, violent, and tolerant,
while women are sensitive, romantic, attractive, happy, warm, sociable, peaceful, fair, submissive, and timid.
o Television programming emphasizes male characters' strength, performance, and skill; for women, it focuses on
attractiveness and desirability.

PEERS
During adolescence, gender identity forms through personal reflection and social influences. Peers are influential in shaping
gendered behavior, with social pressures and confusion prevalent during this developmental stage. Friends strongly influence
each other, particularly regarding gender identity, although not every aspect of it is solely influenced by peers. For instance,
acceptance of non-traditional gender roles within a peer group can reduce pressure to conform to stereotypical gender norms.
Conversely, adherence to rigid gender stereotypes within a peer group can intensify pressure to conform to traditional gender
roles. – PNAS Journal Club