Lesson 9 Gender Discrimination and Inequalities

 The Philippine society is facing challenges of gender discrimination or inequality. It cannot be denied
that the pace of development towards gender equality slow. This lesson presents gender
discrimination/inequalities being manifested by both genders, the male and females, machismo.

 Gender Discrimination/Inequality is unequal or disadvantageous treatment of an individual based on

gender. It may refer to unfair rights between male and female based on different gender roles which
leads to unequal treatment in life. It can be treating an individual differently based upon his/her
gender in academia or Extracurricular activities, academic programs, discipline, class assignments
given in a classroom, class enrollment, physical education, grading, and/or athletics.

 We are all influenced by gender. Gender norms (or rules) tell us what is appropriate for girls and for
boys, women and men to do in our society. Because of gender stereotypes, girls and women are
often less valued and have lower social status.

 Girls and women suffer most of the negative impact of rigid gender norms and roles - they are more
likely to experience restrictions of their freedom and mobility, they experience epidemic levels of
violence and harassment across the globe and have fewer opportunities to choose how to live their
lives.

 But boys and men suffer too. Ideas about what it means to be a man force boys and men to behave
in very limited ways which can harm them. Negative masculinities encouraged in boys serve to
perpetuate the cycle of discrimination and inequality.

 Denying people, the freedom to choose their path in life because of their gender prevents them from
fulfilling their full potential. There is lots we can do to help build a more gender-equal world.
Understanding the deep roots of gender inequality and challenging discrimination when we see it
are the first steps.

 The following is a list of discriminatory acts you may come across among your peers, at home, at
school or in the workplace.

 Sexual Harassment and catcalling.

 Harassment and catcalling on the street are prime examples of how women’s right to walk freely
around their environment is restricted. The normalization of harassment and inaction of bystanders
and authorities perpetuate this form of discrimination and limit women’s freedom.

 Gender stereotypes at school and work

 Stereotypes are how societies expect people to act based on their gender. For example, girls should
stay at home and help with housework and childcare, should dress modestly and not stay out late at
night. People are often judged by how well they adhere to the gender stereotypes.

 These stereotypes can often bleed out into school and work, where girls are less likely to be
encouraged into science and technology subjects or leadership roles, due to the perceived ‘male
nature’ of these pursuits. Likewise, seemingly positive stereotypes and gender roles such as men
being the ‘provider’ or ‘protector’ of the family, put an unnecessary burden on men and boys that
could more positively be shared in an equal partnership.

 These attitudes limit girls’ power by rendering them less able to help contribute to making the world
around them a better place.

 Objectification and poor representation

 Objectification is when a person is treated as a commodity or an object without regard to their

personality or dignity. It commonly happens in the media where women are photo shopped and
airbrushed leading to much more emphasis and value being put on their external appearance above
 other capacities. This affects girls’ body image, their self- esteem and ultimately the value they put
on themselves.

 However, girls are also often represented poorly in entertainment and the media in ways that
reinforce damaging gender stereotypes and traditional roles. Objectivation must be called out and
girls must be encouraged to tell their own stories - ones that reflect their power, potential and
diversity.

A. Machismo and marianismo mentality

 Machismo is a strong exaggerated sense of masculinity placing great value on physical courage,
virility, domination of women, and aggressiveness. In other words, it is the sense of being “manly”
and self-reliant, the concept associated with a “strong sense of masculine pride: an exaggerated
masculinity. It is associated with “a man’s responsibility to provide for, protect, and defend his family.
Machista mentality undermines everything women have worked for when it comes to gender
equality.

 What causes machismo?

 May be due to feelings of inferiority, which men try to hide by acting superior. This is accomplished
by avoiding feminine traits and emphasizing strong masculine ones. Ramos (1951) and Stycos
(1965) both concur that an inferiority complex is the base of machismo.

 Filipino Men: Machismo Henpecked Husbands and sudden Unexpected Death Men in the
Philippines

 Macho culture and male dominance are still very much alive in the Philippines. According to one
government report, “sexual relations, child bearing, and child rearing are still dependent on men as the
ultimate decision makers” in Filipino households. In traditional society, men were responsible for doing
heavy work such as plowing and caring for irrigation system clearing brush.

 According to humanbreeds.com: Filipino men stereotypes: Certainly, the stereotypes below do not
apply to all Filipino men. However, the occurrences of these situations are so frequent as to justify
an entry in my Filipino stereotypes, here we go: 1. Filipino men are usually very unfaithful, many
might argue that all men from all nationalities do cheat, but the rate at which I encounter stories
about broken Filipino families stories is just ridiculous. 2. A great number of Filipino men suffer from
gambling and drinking problems. 3. An alarmingly huge number of Filipino men are simply unfit to
be good fathers or good husbands. A typically Filipino house financed by the women… women are
the bread earners whereas men are usually immersed in their destructive hobbies of drugs,
alcoholism, gambling and adultery. (February 7, 2014).

 Gamma posted on Yahoo Answers in 2009: “from what I saw from the Philippines a lot of the guys in my
age bracket (17 to 23) try to imitate what they see in America media. However, they tend to go to far and
end up becoming caricatures rather than truly strong men. Many like to act like a bad boy brawlers, but are
quick to back down once they actually meet one in person. Also many young Filipino guys are very much
into going to the gym are obsessed with becoming muscle bound freaks. Conversely, the needs in the
Philippines dedicate their whole lives to their study. Their whole identity is based off of their academic
achievements, simply because they lack any personality or good looks. They truly believe they will be able
to attract good looking, wonderful women through academic and financial success, which is pathetic in my
opinion. Also there are large number of men in the Philippines who consider themselves “playboy”.
However, I found their style and way of flirting quite ‘bastos’
and not smooth at all. Not like the Filipino’s over here in my country. However, these trends are seen all
over the world. It just seems like it is more exaggerated in the Philippines.

 Gender roles in the Philippines

 Dr. Jose Florante J. Leyson wrote in the Encyclopedia of Sexuality: “The traditional gender roles in
Filipino society are strongly influenced by centuries of Islamic culture, Chinese mores, and 425
years of deep-rooted Spanish Catholic traditions. However, since the 1960s, traditional Filipino
gender culture has been transformed by tremendous Western-European and American – influences,
except in the Muslim dominated southern islands, which have been much less influenced by
 Western contacts. Polygamy, the wife as the husband’s chattel, and deferential behavior of women
in the presence of men are still strong values in the Muslim-dominated areas. The Muslim ideals of
feminine behavior still produce a dependent, inferior, passive, and obedient woman.

 Men are seen as the head of the family, but women often assume the role of major income or wage
earner as well as homemaker and nurturer of their children. Women are just as likely as men to
seek and take overseas contract work. There is a broad commitment to extended education for girls
as well as for boys, by all families that can afford it. However, in families with limited means, girls are
more likely than boys to be asked to defer or sacrifice their own education in order to support the
education of younger siblings, especially younger brothers. Although most CEOs of business
enterprises are men, this is not exclusively the case. There are many women in senior positions,
especially in government department. Even when the head of a business or enterprise is a man, it is
not uncommon to find that it is a woman who really “runs the show”.

 The Filipino family is generally classified as egalitarian. Authority is more or less divided between husband
and wife. The husband is formally recognized as the head but the wife has the important position of
treasurer of the household and manger of the domestic affairs. Since there are more working women now
than ever before, today’s Filipina does a balancing act between career and family.

 According to everyculture.com: “Traditional roles prevail in rural areas, where men cultivate the land
but the entire family is involved in planting and harvesting the crops. Women work in gardens and
care for the house and children as well as barnyard animals. In urban areas, men work in
construction and machine upkeep and drivers of passenger vehicles. Women work as teachers,
clerks, owners of sari-sari stores, marketers of produce and health care providers. Occupational
gender lines are blurred since men also work as nurses and teachers. In the professions, Gender
lines are less important. Women attorneys, doctors and lawyers are found in the province as well as
in urban areas.

 Filipino Men ‘Most Narcissistic in Asia

 In 2011, Travel Wire Asia reported:” According to a study from Synovate, Filipino men are the most
narcissists in Asia. A whopping 48 percent consider themselves sexually attractive. And if the ladies
reading this think the guys’ encounters with the brow tweezers are for your benefit, sorry – nine out
of 10 Filipino men polled said they liked to look good for themselves, not anyone else. By way of
comparison, just 25 percent of men in Singapore considered themselves sexually attractive, 17
percent in China and Taiwan and a measly 12 percent of Hongkong guys think the same. The
Synovate survey notes that “the findings have a wide-ranging implication for the marketers of
personal grooming product.” Traditionally, it says, “marketers have addressed this market by selling
to wives, mothers, sisters, girlfriends. Now, they can go directly to the newly minted beautiful male.”
(April 26, 2011)

 “It’s not difficult to substantiate the survey’s claim. If you have a Filipino male friend, take a peek into
his backpack or bathroom cabinet and you will invariably find all sorts of personal hygiene, even
beauty, products: toothbrush, toothpaste, perhaps even a mouthwash, an underarm roll or spray, a
cologne or perfume, an aftershave perhaps, a comb, a pair of nail cutters, hair gel…if you’re lucky
you can probably even find a compact mirror.

 “Filipino men are just as finicky about their looks as the women. The “metrosexual” phenomenon has
recently caught on in urban centers. Products that used to be marketed only to women are now also being
peddled to men, such as Nivea for Men. On its Facebook page for the Philippines, Nivea tells Filipino men:
“Hey BROs How’s the summer vacation preps so far? But first, make sure your skin has the freedom to
enjoy under the sun by getting the right sunblock based on your skin tone, skin type, target location and
date!” One fan remarked: “I love this stuff – The best way to look good and smell good: Honestly Nivea
team – Thumbs up;)”

 “The narcissistic Filipino,” in fact, is now part of popular culture. Movie posters and billboards always
feature men in various stages of undress, usually to display washboard abs. One movie star, Piolo Pascual,
has made a career out of these advertising endorsements apparently with the stipulation that all of his
posters should show his midsection – even if what he endorses has absolutely nothing to do with those
abs, like a condominium. Looking at these posters and billboards, you’d think that Filipino men are the
healthiest, fittest men on earth. In truth, obesity is rising in
the Philippines. Cases of diabetes and other so-called lifestyle diseases, such as hypertension, are on the
rise.

 Machismo in the Philippines

 Macho culture is prevalent on television, in the workplace and in everyday life in the Philippines. One
Filipino woman told Newsweek, “our culture teaches that men are to be strong.” The roots of the macho lie
both in Spanish colonial and traditional familial hierarchal structures. According to thank God I’m Filipino:
“Some male Filipinos are proud and arrogant that they will not accept losing face, particularly in the crowd.
They don’t like the idea of being defeated or embarrassed. In some cases, losing face or being humiliated
is the cause of street brawls, drinking bouts, or even killings in the country.” (October 8,2010)

 One person ask on Yahoo Answers: I’ve heard from people that in the Philippines a lot of men like to show
others that they are “macho.” Nothing wrong with that since men are like that anywhere in the world you
may be. But the definition of being “macho” is different from culture to culture. In the Philippines I’ve seen
that being macho means being a heavy drinker or getting your wife pregnant and having a lot of kids. To me
that seems more stupid than “macho.” Lots of guys in the Philippines think is manly to drink all the time and
get drunk. And I’ve heard that some are proud to have so many children (which they can’t afford to support
all of them). Also, I’ve noticed that if you wash the clothes, do the dishes, or cook, then other men make fun
of you because that is supposed to be women’s job. So what is your opinion? What does it mean for a guy
to be “macho” in the Philippines?

 To this question Joker answered in 2009: “I’m Filipino but I’ve been born and raised in the USA for my
whole entire life. When I went to the Philippines for the first time, I kept on thinking, “this is a weird country.”
I mean, Karaoke is insanely popular over there, you see skin whitening commercials, there’s ALWAYS
shampoo commercials, and showbiz is almost like a religion there. Here in the USA, karaoke is considered
“not cool” and if you like karaoke, then you are not “macho.” Also here in the USA, caring about showbiz is
strictly for girls and gays. If you like showbiz, you are definitely not “macho.” So, Philippines is absolutely
different than the USA. Most of my Filipino friends in the PI love karaoke, showbiz, and they’re sensitive
about the color of their skin. I don’t consider those “macho” at all.

 Around the same time jzer0AVti_023 answered: “I live in the Philippines and what you’ve heard
about what being ”macho” mean in the Philippines is not true. Having a lot of kids is not macho
because couples with lots of kids are being laughed at. Heavy drinker men are always judged to be
criminals and ex cons although some of them are not. Maybe last three decades, what you’ve heard
might be true but not in the modern Philippines. With this great poverty in our country, being macho
means being able to help get your family become wealthy, protect your loved ones and having a
huge amount of salary.

 Erom said: “The Philippine is a ‘Macho’ society, Patriarchal, and so males have been molded to be the
‘ideal’, dominative figure.” For me I think it is very old school. But it is slowly changing right now, slowly
pinoys are now accepting the ‘unconventional’ Roles due to necessity, since wives are now going abroad to
earn a living, husbands have no choice but to take care of the family. Doing the what used to be a wife-only
jobs, and most of them is loving it. Yes it is stupidity to show you’re macho by drinking and having lots of
children but have no idea how you can support the family, but I am happy to say that it is slowly changing.

 Gaz commented: “To be macho is to know your place within the family, friends and community and
making the most of it. The Java programmer who makes 20 peso per hour just to feed his family I would
consider macho. An unemployed dad who does what he can for his bread winner daughter (cooks, washes
her clothes, drives her to
work so that she doesn’t have to) is macho, even though he didn’t do enough to keepa job in the first place.
The CEO uncle who makes the effort to visit his nephew and siblings, and inspires them to make wise
choices rather than spoon-feeding them with dollars is macho. A guy that stops grooming, starts drinking
and smoking a little, explores the unshaven look just coos someone wuss, is obviously a wimp for believing
them.

 Henpecked Husband: Sad Filipino Phenomenon

 Peaceful wife philippines wrote in her blog: I don’t know if you’d agree with me but I think our Filipino
culture breeds hen-pecked, emasculated men. Ander the Saya which in English literally means “under the
saya or Filipino skirt” is a Filipino term used on husbands who are dominated by overbearing wives. The
mental image conjured is of a man with no “balls”, pardon the term, to lead his family. The woman is the
“kumander” (commander) of the unit. He has no say, he has no voice and he better not speak his mind or
else (!), he will get a good tongue-lasting!

 “Themes like these are usually for comedic purposes, which sometimes are funny, but in reality is no
laughing matter. It only is funny on TV or in movies but is actually not laughable when you see it happening
to a LIVE couple, in person. It is actually quite sad. Filipinos have these terms for nagging, noisy women:
bungangera, palengkera, and chismosa. (talkative, noisy – as in marketplace noisy, gossipy) Not only is it a
big turn-off to be theswe, it also is a huge sin and woe to the husband who finds such wife!

 Dating Filipino Men

 Gmmurgirl.hubpages. com reported: “Men from the Philippines are often referred to as ‘Pinoy’ men or
‘Filipino’ men. Indeed, Filipino guys are a class of their own. A number of foreign women might find dating
them an experience worth trying. Filipino men are often seen as thoughtful, sensitive, romantic and sweet,
thought this may not be true for all. Some guys can be discriminating and choosy. Any woman foreign or
otherwise, confident of herself will not have difficulty getting a Filipino date. Learn about what makes
Filipino guys unique. So here is a lowdown, in case you manage to snag a Filipino date.

 If you are a foreign woman looking for a Filipino man to go out with, it helps to know that the local
dating scene in the Philippines is very dynamic and colorful. With the proliferation of social networks
and mobile phones, opportunities to meet singles and dating sites abound! If you are lucky, speed
dating events are organized by a few groups. Moreover, knowing friend will double your chances of
meeting eligible male Filipinos. They will be more than willing to play cupid and set you up on blind
date. Hence, a foreign woman trying to look for her Filipino dream date will not run out of options.

 “On the other hand, if you are in the capital city on a business trip and hardly know any local friends, do
not fret. Ther are many bars in the city specifically in the business districts area of Makati, Ortigas, and
even the Global City with great places to meet new people. Most Filipino men will be friendly enough to
strike a conversation with a lone foreigner woman. Nevertheless, do not immediately trust anyone who is
too friendly for comfort.

 “Dating and finding a Filipino date can be easy for a foreign woman. It has its own advantages and
disadvantages. Despite background differences, an interracial relationship can prosper, since many Filipino
guys are open to the idea of dating women from different race or culture. Just make sure you know how to
deal with him.

Male Filipino Date Types

1) On types of Filipino guts, Gmmurgirl.hubpages.com reported: 1) The Romantic: The romantic types may
come few and far in between, but this breed of Filipino men still exists.. He is the kind of guy who
remembers the special days in your life, wont to bringing gifts and treats you like a princess. Expect Mr.
Romantic to be here for you at all times. He can be cheesy, mushy at times, but that’s just him showing his
true romantic side. Simply enjoy and return the courtesy. However, if you are not bent on getting serious
with him, try not to lead him on nor keep him dangling. Make it clear to him that you are not yet bent on
settling down either.

2) The Cool Hunk: He is often attractive, savvy and slick with the girls. You better be careful and not easily
fall for his charms. He often brags (or not) about his chickmagnetic personality. Women are drawn to him
naturally. Generally loves to take care of himself by going to the gym, loves hip clothes, and often becomes
the life of the part. He is aware of his effect on women. If you are not ready to break your heart or wants a
real keeper, better touch him with a ten-foot pool. He can be fun to be with but a long term relationship is
simply not what he’s looking for right now. If you want great eye-candy, then having him as a date would do
good, but that’s it. You better proceed with caution.
3) The Geeky: He may not look like the overhyped geek in those reality shows but yes, they exist and can
be ‘geekily’ hot even. Intelligent-looking guys have their special allure that draws certain women. He can be
cute and geeky at the same time. He can be serious and might seem to be more interested in his studies or
career but scratch beneath the surface and you might find a real gem. This kind of guy loves knowledge
and you better be up to the challenge. He might look boring at times but definitely he wants someone who
can be up her toes. He also loves setting high
goals for himself be it in school or in his career. He can be intensely tied up with work or pursuing his
masters or doctoral degree. A geek can be quite a handful if you are looking for engaging company as they
may never run out of conversation topics. Since they crank their brains on a 24/7 basis, you might as well
be on your toes and
make sure that you have enough in between the ears to at least match his intellect. Finally, Mr. Geek can
be quite choosy in their women.

4) The Master Chicker: He is the modern Casanova and he would often like to maintain this image for a
long time. He simply loves women and monogamy is not in his vocabulary. Most of them can’t stand being
in a serious relationship. Love for him is like a game of hunting and chasing. This may go on even into his
middle age. Don’t get too close, lest you risk losing your mind and heart.

5) The Mama’s Boy: Mama’s boy s are everywhere and there are good and bad sides of this type. They
would rather follow what mom says and this can include who to date and when. You need not worry much if
you’re not bent on marrying him. There is nothing wrong if he simply adores his mother but it’s a total
different story if he makes her dictate everything in his life when he is already a full grown adult

6) Dr. Dependent: Yes, since the Filipino culture allows it, there are many Filipino guys still living with their
parents. This may come as a shock for those in the west, but that’s how it goes in the Philippines. Extended
families are common and a guy may still be with his folks until he is ready to move out. In fact, many still
live with their parents until went into their 30”s or until they marry. This doesn’t mean that the guy that you
are dating is still a baby.

 Marianismo which is a set of values and expectations concerning female gender roles. It
emphasizes the role of women as family - and home-centered; it encourages passivity, self-
sacrifice, and chastity. A Marianista orientation depicts women in nurturing roles and prescribes
respect for patriarchal values. Historically, this is rooted in Christian values brought to Latin America
during colonization, which define women as nurturing figures and spiritual pillars of the family; it is a
construction of the expected female gender roles based on the Virgin Mary.

 Women in the Philippines: Status, Stereotypes, Maria Clara and Abuse

 Women in the Philippines have traditionally controlled the family fiancés. In traditional societies they have
been responsible for planting and household chores and child care although men have participated some in
these duties. Women have traditionally been expected to be involved in nurturing tasks like education and
service. While men were supposed to be leaders in politics.

 Filipino women are usually called Filipina. Their role of a woman in many ways is defined by Catholicism.
Women generally don’t smoke or drink or eat alone. These are things associated with prostitutes. On one
hand in the Philippines, girls are twice as likely to suffer from malnutrition as boys. On the other hand
women are often invited to dinner and evening outing unlike other Asian countries when night out are often
men only affairs.

 The Philippines has a matriarchal society. Women occupy a high place in society, politics and the
professions. They enjoy equal social and political rights with men. The present-day Filipina is now more
assertive (compared to their ancestors during the Spanish era). There is a growing women’s right
movement. Gabriella is an organization which holds a progressive platform which fights against sexual
aggression, discrimination, and oppression.

 Accordingtolivinginthephilippines.com: “The Filipina enjoys equality with men in many areas, notably in
professional, business and career areas. To understand the Filipina, one must look at the different roles she
takes in society. As she goes through life, the Filipina may take the roles of daughter, sister, dalaga or
young woman, wife, mother, mistress, professional, employer, employee, etc. the first few roles are more
firmly entrenched in tradition and probably influence the more modern roles that a Filipina faces.
 In pre-colonial times, among many ethnic groups, custom law gave women equal rights with men. They
could own and inherit property, engage in trade and industry, and succeed to chieftainship in the absence of
a male heir. They had exclusive right to educate and to name their children. They were also the money
keepers. During the Spanish times a woman continued the use of her maiden name after marriage, or else
merely appended her husband’s surname to her own, and the children assumed the hyphenated surname.
Her husband may have built their house, the symbol of their conjugal state, but she was the maybahay,
literally the owner of the house.

 Gender Roles in the Philippines

 Dr. Jose Florante J. Leyson wrote in the Encyclopedia of Sexuality: “The traditional gender roles in Filipino
society are strongly influenced by centuries of Islamic culture, Chinese mores, and 425 years of deep-
rooted Spanish Catholic traditions. However, since the 1960s, traditional Filipino gender culture has been
transformed by tremendous Western – European and American – influences, except in the Muslim-
dominated southern islands, which have been much less influenced by western contacts. Polygamy, the
wife as the husband’s chattel, and the deferential behavior of women in the presence of men are still strong
values in the Muslim-dominated areas. The Muslim ideals of feminine behavior still produce a dependent,
inferior, passive, and obedient women.

 Men are seen as head the head of the family, but women often assume the role of major income or wage
earner as well as homemaker and nurturer of their children. Women are just as likely as men to seek and
take overseas contract work. There is broad commitment to extended education at secondary and tertiary
education for girls as well as for boys, by all families that can afford it. However, in families with limited
means, girls are more likely than boys to be asked to defer or sacrifice their own education in order to
support the education of younger siblings, especially younger brothers. Although most CEOs of business
enterprises are mess, this not exclusively the case. There are many women in senior positions, especially
in government departments. Even when the head of a business
or enterprise is a man, it is not uncommon to find that it is woman who really ”runs the show.”

 The Filipino family is generally classified as egalitarian. Authority is more or less divided between husband
and wife. The husband is formally recognized as the head but the wife has an important position of
treasurer of the household and manager of the domestic affairs. Since there are more working women now
than ever before, today’s Filipina does a balancing act between career and family.

 According to everyculture.com: “Traditional roles prevail in rural areas, where men cultivate the land but
the entire family is involved in planting and harvesting the crops. Women work in gardens and care for the
house and children as well as barnyard animals. In urban areas, men work in construction and machine
upkeep and drivers of passenger
vehicles. Women work as teachers, clerks, owners of sari-sari stores, marketers of produce and health care
providers. Occupational gender lines are blurred since men also work as nurses and teachers. In the
professions, Gender lines are less important. Women attorneys, doctors and lawyers are found in the
province as well as in urban areas.

 While families desire male children, females are welcomed to supply help in the house and provide a
home in the parents’ old age. Women’s rights to equality and to share the family inheritance with male
siblings are firmly established and are not questioned. The oldest daughter is expected to become an
overseas worker (OSW) to provide money for the education of younger siblings and for the needs of aging
family members. Women are the
familial money managers. The wedding ceremony can include the gift of a coin from the groom to the bride
to acknowledge this role. Since personal relationships and wealth are considered the road to success,
women have an equal opportunity to achieve. Winners of beauty pageants are likely to succeed in the
business and professional world, especially if the pageant was at an international level.”

 History of Women in the Philippines

 Dr. Jose Florante J. Leyson wrote in the Encyclopedia of Sexuality: “In traditional Chinese society, women
were to be obedient to the father and elder brothers when young (single), to the hsbandwhen married, and
to their sons when widowed. For Filipina of Chinese ethnic origin, marriage was the only means to
economic survival. Arranged
marriages are still common, with the clear expectation of male offspring who will maintain the “family
business” interests and continuity. A wife’s position and security within her husband’s family remains
ambiguous until she produces a male heir. These women have no right to divorce or to remarry if widowed.
Those who try to defy these traditions have been ostracized and sometimes driven to depression or even to
suicide.

 The traditional colonial Filipina was supposed to reach marriage in a virginal state. She was expected to
take care of the domestic tasks, go to church, bear and educate children, and support her mas in his
political, professional, and economic endeavors. The oppressive attitude of colonial Spain toward the
Filipinas was first challenged by Melchora
Aquino (Tandang Sora), a non-violent intellectual women. In the mid-1800s, she was considered as the
equal of the French “political” heroine, Joan of Arc, for leading both a political and cultural revolt against the
suppression of women’s rights. However, the colonial government quickly extinguished the local revolt, and
the treatment of Filipinas as second class citizens remained in force until Spain ceded the Philippines to the
United States in
1898.

 In the early years of the American occupation, 1900 to 1930, both females and males were provided
with free elementary education. However, only the children of the rich had access to a high school
and college education. Although women’s social standing was improved, it was not until the late
1950s that the majority of women achieved equal rights; but this also happened mainly in the urban
areas. For a long time, this double standard of colonial mentality was accepted without open
criticism. That has changed since the Philippines gained its independence from the United States,
with the democratic government taking steps towards recognizing the social and political rights of
women. The western influences on women have resulted in sociocultural independence from
parents, spouses, and/or lovers. Women with college education and businesswomen have started
painstakingly to open spaces in the country’s political, economic, legal, and administrative positions.
On February 21, 1986, Mrs. Corazon Aquino became the first woman president of the democratic
Philippines.

 Today, Filipinas occupy key positions in university and medical schools, hospitals both local and
national government, large corporations, research pharmaceutical companies, journalism, and all
fields of the arts. However, discrimination against women and special privileges granted to men
continue to exist simply because the males benefit from a deeply rooted and long-standing “male
buddy” (compare) network.

 Role and Status Women in the Philippines

 Women have always enjoyed greater equality in the Philippine society than was common in other
parts of Southeast Asia. Since pre-Spanish times, Filipinos have traced kinship bilaterally. A
woman’s rights to legal equality and to inherit family properly have not been questioned. Education
and literacy levels in 1990 were higher for women than for men. President Aquino often is given as
an example of what women can accomplish in Philippine society. The appearance of women in
important positions, however, is not new even unusual in the Philippines. Filipino women have been
senators, cabinet officers, Supreme Court justices, administrators, and heads of major business
enterprises. Furthermore, in the early1990s women were found in more than a proportionate share
of many professions although they predominated in domestic service (91 %), professional and
technical positions (59.4 %), and sales (57.9%). Women also were often preferred in assembly-type
factory work. The availability of the types of employment in which women predominated probably
explains why about two-thirds of the rural to urban migrants were female. Although domestic service
is a low-prestige occupation, the other types of employment compare favorably with opportunities
open to the average man.

 This ‘favorable occupational distribution does not mean that women were without Economic problems.
Although women were eligible for high positions, these were more often obtained by men. In 1990 women
represented 64 percent of graduate students but held only159 of 982 career top executive positions in the
civil service. In the private sector, only about 15 percent of top-level positions were held by women.

 According to many observers, because men relegated household tasks to women, employed women
carried a double burden. This burden was moderated somewhat by the availability of relatives and servants
who functioned as helpers and child caretakers, but the use of servants and relatives has sometimes been
denounced as the equivalent of exploring some women to free others.

 Since the Spanish colonial period, the woman has been the family treasurer, which, at least to some
degree, gave her the power of the purse. Nevertheless, the Spanish also established a tradition of
subordinating women, which is manifested in women’s generally submission attitude3s and in a double
standard of sexual conduct. The woman’s role as family treasurer, along with a woman’s maintenance of a
generally submissive demeanor, has changed little, but the double standard of sexual morality is being
challenged. Male dominance also has been challenged, to some extent, in the 1987 constitution contains
an equal rights clause – although it lacks specific provisions that might make that cluse effective.

 As of the early 1990s, divorce was prohibited in the Philippines. Under some Circumstances, legal
separation was permitted, but no legal remarriage was possible. The family code of 1988 was somewhat
more liberal. Reflective of Roman Catholic Church law, the code allowed annulment for psychological
incapacity to be a marital partner, as well as for repeated physical violence against a mate or pressure to
change religious or political affiliation. Divorce obtained abroad by an alien mate was recognized. Although
the restrictive divorce laws might be viewed as an infringement on women’s liberty to get out of a bad
marriage, indications were that many Filipinas viewed them as a protection against abandonment and loss
of support by wayward husbands.

 Filipina Women Stereotypes

 In an article on Filipino stereotypes, humanbreeds.com reported: “Let’s talk about the Filipina girls: You
will always meet the occasional beautiful sexy tall Filipina girl with those breath taking curves but I believe
that the points below apply to a huge portion of the Pinoy ladies. (February 7, 2014)

 Sweet and cute Filipinas: 10 Short, the average height of a Filipina girl is 1.517 m (4 ft. 11.5 in) according
to Wikipedia. 2) Most Filipina girls have beautiful long black shiny hair… every girl wishes for. 3) Flat and
tiny nose which almost every Filipina girl I met is insecure about. 4) Tiny ass, which is usually another
source of insecurity to many girls. 5) You will catch most Filipina girl so often wearing shorts, flip flops and
tee shirt, which to be honest looks cute and a little bit sexy. 6) Another common not so feminine form is
having a narrow waist and broader shoulder.

 Caring and loving, Filipina girls are very dedicated, loving and selfless in relationships. A Filipina of or wife
would usually do whatever it takes to make her husband / BF happy. In short, Filipinas are usually fit wives,
GFs or mothers. On the flip side of the coin, you will always meet “the gold digger” Filipina GF. The GF who
wants an iPhone or the
GF who likes to go out to all the expensive stores and restaurant and doesn’t even once try to reach for her
wallet. You will also meet the GF who has financial problems and is asking for your help. (Living in Dubai, a
city with multinational culture, all expatriates includingFilipinos, travel and work here to support their family
in their home country. Yet, some “gold digger GFs” do go the extra mile by sending 90 percent of their
salary to their family while living off almost free with the foreign “none Filipino BF”).

 Filipina girls are easy. There is a surprisingly huge number of single Filipina Moms. The Filipino culture
seems to be very accepting and forgiving so you often fined a Mom having 2 or 3 children, each from a
different father and none of the fathers is or has been her husband.

 Dating Filipino Girls

 Winston posted in his blog happierabroad.com: The Philippines “is a dating paradise for men, especially
foreign men. It is easy to get dates or sex anytime you want. No deprivation in this area for men. With most
local guys being poor and a large percentage of them being gay or transexuals, the supply of dateable men
is very low. Hence there are always single girls who are looking everywhere you go., a huge surplus of
them, never a shortage. 2) Girls are tender, affectionate and treat their boyfriend or suitor very well. They
are always there for you and make time for you. They are not hung up on looks. 3) Girls like to flirt and
enjoy flattery and compliments. They do not consider a guy who is attracted to them or asks them out to be
a creep who ought to leave them alone. There is no such
attitude at all. Flirting and signing interests is not vilified, but seen as natural and adorable. Girls love
attention and flattery too, even if they are shy. (December 22,2011)
 Females are not prudish or upright when it comes to touching or physical affection But are quite receptive
and into it themselves. They are not puritanical like their British, American and Oriental counterparts. When
they make love, they are tender and soothe you in a way white women can’t. 5) There are a variety of girls
to choose from in terms of ethnic mixes, ranging from light skinned Chinese types to darker Malay types to
Spanish looking white types. 6) Go go bars and videoke bars are cheap to get a girl from to take home. You
don’t have to sleep alone if you don’t want to (unlike some countries where you are forced to sleep alone
every night without choice).

 Most girls that date foreigners usually come from poor families who will expect you to support them or
give her an allowance that she can use to support them. In other words, they will attempt to leech off you
shamelessly. If you are frugal and prefer to save rather than to spend, your will be constantly in conflict with
their will. If you are foreigner, there will be a double standard against you in that locals are allowed to be
stingy toward you, giving you
nothing for free and counting every peso. However, you are expected to be a super generous Santa who is
happy to give away things for free, and you are supposed to be willing to spend away from your
“bottomless pockets” without complaining. In fact, although they may call a foreigner “kuripot” (cheapskate
in tagalog) if he is frugal or tries to save
money, it is very odd and out of place for a foreigner to call a Filipino a “kuripot” because Filipinos are
expected to be stingy, but foreigners arren’t.

 Gmmurgirl.hubpages.com reported: “Men from the Philippines are often referred to as ‘Pinoy’ men or
‘Filipino’ men. Indeed, Filipino guys are a class of their own. A number of foreign women might find dating
them an experience worth trying. Filipino men are often seen as thoughtful, sensitive, romantic and sweet,
tought this may not be true for all. Some guys can discriminating and choosy. Any woman foreign or
otherwise, confident of herself
will not have difficulty getting a Filipino date. Learn about the what makes Filipino guys unique. So here is a
lowdown, in case you manage to snag a Filipino date.

 “If you are a foreign women looking for a Filipino man to go out with, it helps to know that the local dating
scene in the Philippines is very dynamic and colorful. With the proliferation of social networks and mobile
phones, opportunities to meet singles and dating sites abound! If you are lucky, speed dating events are
organized by a few groups.
Moreover, knowing friends will double your chances of meeting eligible male Filipinos. They will be more
than willing to play cupid and set you up on a blind date. Hence, a foreign woman trying to look for the
Filipino dream date will not run out of options.

 “On the other hand, if you are in the capital city on a business trip and hardly know any local friends, do
not fret. There are many bars in the city specifically in the business districts area of Makati, Ortigas, and
even the Global City with great places to meet new people. Most Filipino men will be friendly enough to
strike a conversation with a lone
foreigner woman. Nevertheless, do not immediately trust anyone who is too friendly for comfort.

 “Dating and finding a Filipino date can be easy for a foreign woman, It has its own advantages and
disadvantages. Despite background differences, an interracial relationship can prosper, since many Filipino
guys are open to the idea of dating women from a different race or culture. Just make sure you know how
to deal with him.

 Maria Clara Image Filipina Women

 In a study of Psychopathology, Filipino psychiatrist Lourdes V, Lapus writes: “The Filipino culture, for all
the increasing signs and protests to the contrary, still has a large hangover from its ego-idea for women of
many by gone years. This is the so-called Maria Clara image of a woman who is shy, demure, modest, self-
effacing, and loyal to the end. The openly provocative, sexually aggressive female who is frequently
associated with the American female image is still comparatively rare in Filipino culture.”

 According to livinginthephilippines.com: Filipinas generally strive to portray the Maria Clara image and
frown on aggressive displays by women. An aggressive woman, which description includes one who is
open and mixes freely with men, is considered sexually loose. Cultural norms favor the demure, modest
female when it comes to personal, social or business relationships with men. Social inferiority is not
implied.
 Maria Clara, whose full name is Maria Clara de los Santos, id the mestizo heroine in Noli Me Tangere, a
novel by Jose Rizal, the national hero of the Republic of the Philippines. Her name and character has since
become a byword in Filipino culture for the traditional ideally woman. Maria Clara is the childhood
sweetheart and fiancée of Noli Me Tangere’s hero, Juan Crisostomo Ibarra y Magsalin, the son of Don
Rafael Ibarra. Although raised as Santiago “Kapitan Tiyago” de los Santos “Kapitan Tiyago de los Santos
daughter, Maria Clara is the illegitimate offspring of Father Damaso, a Spanish Friar, and Doňa Pia Alba.
Doňa Alba is the wife of Kapitan Tiyago, who are both native Filipinos. Father Damaso (also known as
Padre Damaso) is known to Maria Clara as a godfather. Maria Clara never met her mother because Doňa
Alba died during the delivery of her daughter. She grew under the guidance and supervision of Tia Isabel,
Kapitan Tiyago’s cousin. While her boyfriend Crisostomo Ibarra was travelling in Europe, Kapitan Tiyago
sent her to the Beatrio de santa Clara, a convent where she developed femininity under religion. Later in
the novel, Maria Clara discovers the truth that Father Damaso is her biological father.

In the novel, Maria Clara is regarded as the most beautiful and widely celebrated lady in the town of San
Diego. Maria Clara, being religious, the epitome of virtue, “demure and self-effacing” and endowed with
beauty, grace and charm, was promoted by Rizal as the “ideal image” of a Filipino woman who deserves to
be placed on the pedestal of male honor.” In chapter 5 of Noli Me tangere, Maria Clara and her traits were
further described by Rizal as an “Oriental decoration” with “downcast” eyes and a “pure soul.”

 Rizal based the fictional character of Maria Clara from his Real-Life girlfriend andcousin Leonor Rivera.
Although praised and idolized, Maria Clara’s chaste, “masochistic” and easily fainting” character had also
been criticized as the “greatest misfortune that has befallen the Filipina in the last one hundred years.” In
fashion in the Philippines, Maria
Clara’s name has become the eponym for a Filipino national dress for females known as the Maria Clara
gown, attire connected to Maria Clara’s character as a maiden who is delicate, feminine, self-assured and
with a sense of identity.

 Filipino Wives

 Pery Gambsy, a writer and lecturer who lives his Cebuana wife and five Australian Filipina daughters in
Western Sedny, wrote: “Western men are attracted to Philippine women for their attention to keep their
family and marriage going. There is stereotype out there that Asian women are subservient to their
husbands. They treat him like a king and do everything for him, are great mothers, loyal partners and hot in
the cot. Stereotypes, good or bad, have to come from somewhere and there is a lot of truth in that opening
sentence. There is, however, a lot of ‘not so true’ in there also (August 5, 2014)

 “There are still big differences between Filipinas from one part of the country to another. Seven thousand
islands and dozens of dialects means there are similarities but many, many differences between a Filipina
from, say, Manila, to one from the second biggest city, Cebu, or Davao. When we start comparing Filipinas
from the cities to those from ‘da probince’ (province or rural areas), the differences are even more and
varied.

 “Filipinas usually make friends easily. They are warm and hospitable. They smile a lot, which makes it
easier for strangers or foreigners to feel ease with them. They can easily strike up a conversation with the
person seated next to them, for example. Filipinas are very family-oriented, so are always interested in your
own family and where you are from. Many Filipinas have family, relatives and friends working and or settled
overseas and are interested – even anxious – to make (casual) linkages between their own overseas family
and relatives with your family or friends. Filipinas are extremely social and hospitable; they also like to eat
and drink often. Filipinas really enjoy humour and love to tell jokes in social settings, but less so in the
context of business. Humour may be self – deprecating, often relies on puns, but is rarely dry or cynical.
Irony is often not understood or its misinterpreted.

 Women in Government

 Under the Philippiones constitution women are promised the same voting rights as men. Since Marcos
was ousted in 1986 the Philippines has had two women presidents: Cory Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-
Arroyo. But even so women are still not very well represented in Philippine government. In 2001, only 24 of
the 216 memers of Congress were women. Arroyo had three women in her cabinet.
 Many of the Women in Philippine politics – including Aquino, Arroyo, and Imelda Marcos and her daughter
– got to where they were riding on the coat tails of their husbands, fathers or other family members.

 Sexual Harassment and Abuse in the Philippines

 Dr. Jose Florante J. Leyson wrote in the Encyclopedia of Sexuality: The Euro American concept of sexual
harassment has no place in the tradition of Filipina subservience to males that is part of marianismo.
However, the experience of sexual harassment is emerging in the docial consciousness, as Filipinas
respond to Western influences and begin to assert their personal and political rights. Women from the
barrios and small towns are easily intimidated, but it is the sophisticated and well-educated women who
challenge the “old-boy buddy” system and file complaints. Sexual harassment is punished through an
administrative indictment that may end with a dismissal from public service. The administrative procedure,
however, does not preclude legal action by the alleged perpetrator. The strength of the current law shows
tha Filipinas are expanding their political presence/clout, and winning the support of men, who know the
problem well from inside the system

 Despite a long colonial period during which wealthy hacienderos controlled and regularly exploited their
indigenous female employees without fear that the victims might find some recourse in the justice system,
recent educational reforms and the transition to a democratic government are producing a more humane
society. However, there is still considerable violence within Filipino households perpetrated by the male
head of the household. Abuse of this kind is seldom reported to police, because women know that the male
police usually behave in the same way in their homes.

 Attention on work rape was brought to the fore after a married chamber of commerce executive said she
was raped by her boss in a motel after a business meeting. The case was significant in what married
women usually stay quiet after being raped so as not to humiliate their husbands and families. The boss
was arrested and imprisoned.

 In the poorest households, girls are conditioned from infancy to accept the violent behavior of their
fathers, particularly when they return home intoxicated. The initial physical abuse may lead to sexual
intercourse that amounts to marital rape. Faced with a society that until recently did not recognize the
possibility of marital rape or a woman’s basic rights, abused women capitulate, repress their feelings,
retreat into their taciturn dreams, and
continue laboring for the survival of their families, especially their offspring. Even then, if she does not
manage to hide at least some of her earnings, the husband may spend them with another woman or
drinking with friends. Local newspapers occasionally report domestic incidents when a wife inflicts serious
genital damage on her husband while resisting his violent carnal advances. Philippine Department of Social
Work and development (DSWD) statistics reported that in the first three quarters of 1998, there were at
least 1,152 cases of rape and attempted rape, 656 cases of incest, and 400 cases of lasciviousness.

 Abused Women in the Philippines

 In 2012, the number of cases of violence against women (VAW) reported to the Philippine National Police
(PNP) increased by 23.3 percent from 2011. The number grew from 12,948 cases to 15,969. The 2012
report was so far the highest number of reported VAW cases since 1997. (October 24, 2013)

 Wife abuse is a serious problem in the Philippines. Some hospitals have counselors that deals with
victims who have been referred to them from the emergency rooms. In television dramas, domestic abuse
and rape go often unpunished. Radio talk show hosts have joked that wives should stop complaining about
marital rape and “ lie back and enjoy it.”

 A Philippine government survey released in January 2010, said one in five Filipino women under 50 years
old have suffered physical abuse since the age of 15. Helen Flores wrote in the Philippine Star, “The 2008
National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), conducted by the National Statistics Office found that
women with no education or only primary education were physically abused almost twice as much as those
who were better
educated. The NSO survey also showed that nine percent of women had experienced “sexual violence,”
often involving either a husband or a boyfriend. The chance of experiencing sexual violence was also found
greater for poorer women and those with less education, the survey indicated. (January 16, 2010)
 “The survey, conducted from Aug. 7 to Sept.27, 2008, used face-to-face interviews of 14,000 women 15 to
49 years old. They were asked: “At any time in your life, as a child or as an adult, has anyone ever forced
you in any way to perform any sexual acts against your will?” The survey is the ninth in a series of
demographic and health situation in the country.”

 Rape and Rape Laws in the Philippines

 Dr. Jose Florante J. Leyson wrote in the Encyclopedia of Sexuality: “the seriousness of rape against an
individual female was brought to the public eye by the media when a famous actress was “gang raped” in
the mid – 1960s. The public demanded the severest punishment, the death penalty, and they go it.
Execution by hanging, electrocution, or lethal injection as a penalty for rape has been on the books since
1924. The death penalty wa abolished in 1987 but reinstated in 1994. In 2000, there were about 900
persons on death row, including a former member of Congress convicted in 1998 and awaiting execution
for rape. Even though no actual executions for rape have taken place, the law has been instrument in
helping reduce such incidents.

 In one particularly egregious rape case, a congressman was accused of raping a girl that he bought from
her stepfather. When he was arrested he joked, “When you do it, do you ask for a birth certificate?” He
Claimed she was at the legal age of consent of 12 (an effort to raise the age of statutory rape to 14 has
been unsuccessful).

 After nine years of debate, the House of Representatives finally, in 1997, approve the bicameral
conference report on a new law that heavily penalizes rape and makes it easier for government prosecutors
to prosecute rape cases. This anti-rape law reclassifies rape from “a crime against chastity” to “a crime
against a person.” Thus, if the victim is a minor and refuses to accuse the perpetrator, only the minor’s legal
guardian or the court can file a suit. This new law also penalizes marital rape, but opens the door for the
spouse to forgive her husband, in which case the change is voided. The new law also redefines the nature
of rape, expanding the traditional definition of forced penile insertion in the vagina to include unwanted
insertion of the penis, or any object or instrument, in any bodily orifice of
another person. These “other acts” are now part of “sexual assault.” The law in the Revised Penal Code
also eliminates the gender bias, so that a woman can now be charged with raping a man. Finally, the law
makes it possible to present evidence in court, in which presumption is created in favor of rape victim, so
that any overt physical act manifesting resistance in any degree can now be accepted as evidence of rape.
Similarly, evidence that the victim was in a situation where she/he was incapable of giving valid consent can
now be accepted as evidence of rape.

 For many years, the law against rape in the Philippines was described as a la against chastity. This meant
that sexually experienced woman often difficulty proving they were raped because they were not virgins.
Defense lawyers routinely had rape cases thrown out by arguing the victims was promiscuous because she
wasn’t a virgin and therefore her chastity was not harmed.

 In the mid 1990’2, rape-reform became hot topic as reformers attempted to get the law changed so that
rape victims were rape victims regardless of whether they were virgins, chaste or no chaste or married.
Reformers also wanted to expand the definition of rape from penile penetration to oral and anal penetration
with hand and other objects.

 The Philippine used to have the death penalty for rape. No rapist however wasexecuted. One lawmaker
suggested in 1995 that convicted rapists should have their penises amputated. “Considering the
chauvinistic attitude of most Filipino males, having one’s sexual organ cut oof is worse than death itself,”

 Machismo and Abuse in the Philippines Matriarchal Society

 Jasmine Maderazo wrote in the Vietnam News: “Unlike other Asian countries, the Philippines is a
matriarchal society. Men who quarrel with women are labeled “gays” by the community because most of us
believe that a guy is not a true man if he disrespects a woman. When a man is caught abusing a woman,
people will angrily ask him, “Why did you do that? Don’t you have a mother, a daughter, sister, or even a
female cousin?”
 “Sadly, however, violence against women also exist in the Philippines. In impoverished families, husbands
encourage, or sometimes force, their wives to work for the family. Physical and emotional abuse, marital
rape, and other threats against women’s personal safety and security are becoming rampant. Surprisingly,
domestic violence exists not only among the poor, but also
in affluent homes – particularly where a wife is more successful than her husband. In this setting, some
men feel inferior and develop insecurities, resorting to aggressive behavior to demonstrate machismo.

 Psychologically speaking, machismo is a display of male superiority, ranging from a personal sense of
virility to more extreme displays of masculinity. In many Asian culture, machismo is acceptable and even
expected. Wives usually keep marital horrors to themselves, never seeking help from outside parties just to
“protect” the marriage.

 “Their secession to endure the trauma of an unhealthy relationship is not influenced By any Confucian
traditions as in Vet Nam. Filipino women choose to keep mum about their sufferings because of their
emotional and economic dependence on men, and the fear of shame and stigma of a broken home.