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I. MODULE TITLE: Gender: Definition and Concepts

II. COURSE TITLE: Gender and Society

III. COURSE NUMBER: GEE 102

IV. COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course explores and discusses the concept of gender; its social aspects; the gender scenario of
the Philippines; and how gender constructs impact real life experiences.

V. TOTAL LEARNING TIME: 15 Hours (5 Weeks)

VI. PRE-REQUISITE: None

VII. OVERVIEW:
This course is intended for the officially enrolled Bachelor of Industrial Technology Third Year
students, with different specializations. The primary goal of the course is to awaken the awareness
of learners regarding gender and its impact and role in our society, as well as for them to be
cognizant of current gender scenario; like inequality, biases and discrimination in our own society.
This course also aims to let the students think of proposals/suggestion to improve the gender
situation in their real-life experiences.

VIII. LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Differentiate the concept of sex and gender
Define gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation
Identify the different terms/concepts in the gender spectrum

IX. INDICATIVE CONTENT:

Sex VS Gender
Gender Identity VS Gender Expression VS Sexual Orientation
The Gender Vocabulary

X. PRE-ASSESSMENT (OPTIONAL):
DIRECTIONS: Explain your personal understanding of the concept of the word GENDER,
either in words, pictures, drawings or other forms. Place your illustration inside the box.
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XI. DISCUSSION:

LESSON 1. SEX VS GENDER

Historically, the terms “sex” and “gender” have been used interchangeably, but their uses are
becoming increasingly distinct, and it is important to understand the differences between the two.

WHAT EXACTLY IS SEX?

In general terms, “sex” refers to the biological differences between males and females, such as
the genitalia and genetic differences. Society typically tells us that there are two sexes: male and
female. You may also be familiar with the fact that some people are intersex, or have a difference
of sexual development (DSD). DSD is used to describe chromosomes, anatomy, or sex
characteristics that can’t be categorized as exclusively male or female.

A. Genitalia
Some believe genitals determine sex, with males having penises and females having vaginas.
However, this definition excludes some people with a DSD. It can also invalidate trans-people
who are non-operative — those who don’t want to have bottom surgery — or pre-operative. For
example, a transgender man — a person who was assigned female at birth and identifies as a man
— may have a vagina but still identify as male.
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B. Chromosomes
We’re typically taught that people with XX chromosomes are female and people with XY
chromosomes are male. This excludes folks with a DSD who may have different chromosomal
configurations or other differences in sexual development. It also doesn’t account for the fact that
trans-people often have chromosomes that don’t “match” their sex. A transgender woman, for
example, can be female but still have XY chromosomes.

Primary Sex Characteristics

We tend to associate a predominance of estrogen with
females and a predominance of testosterone with males.
It’s important to understand that every person has both of
these hormones. In fact, estradiol, the predominant form of
estrogen, is critical to sexual function for people who were
assigned male at birth. Estradiol plays a significant role in
sexual arousal, sperm production, and erectile function.
Although hormone replacement therapy is an option for
trans-people and gender non-conforming people, a
trans-man who isn’t on hormones, for example, isn’t any
less male than one who is.

Secondary sex characteristics

Many secondary sex characteristics are easily
identifiable. This includes facial hair, breast tissue, and
vocal range. Because of this, they’re often used to make
quick assessments about sex. But secondary sex
characteristics vary greatly, regardless of whether
someone identifies with the sex they were assigned at
birth. Take facial hair, for example. Some people who
were assigned female at birth may go on to develop
facial hair, and some who were assigned male at birth
may not grow any at all.
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WHAT IS GENDER?
Gender tends to denote the social and cultural role of each sex within a given society. Rather
than being purely assigned by genetics, as sex differences generally are, people often develop
their gender roles in response to their environment, including family interactions, the media, peers,
and education.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines

gender as: “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.”

Gender roles are not set in stone. In many societies, men are increasingly taking on roles
traditionally seen as belonging to women, and women are playing the parts previously assigned
mostly to men. Gender roles and gender stereotypes are highly fluid and can shift substantially
over time.

Who wears the high heels? For instance, high-heeled shoes, now considered feminine
throughout much of the world, were initially designed for upper-class men to use when hunting on
horseback. As women began wearing high heels, male heels slowly became shorter and fatter as
female heels grew taller and thinner. Over time, the perception of the high heel gradually became
seen as feminine. There is nothing intrinsically feminine about the high heel but social norms
have made it so.

WHAT’S THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SEX AND GENDER?

Sex and gender can be related for some. The expectation that if you’re assigned male at birth,
you’re a man, and that if you’re assigned female at birth, you’re a woman, lines up for people who
are cisgender. But for trans-people and gender non-conforming, the sex they’re assigned at birth
may not align with the gender they know themselves to be. They may identify with a different sex
than what they were assigned at birth.

Ultimately, the concepts of gender and sex are socially constructed. This means that we as a
society assign sex and gender to people based on socially agreed-upon characteristics. This
doesn’t mean that body parts and functions are “made up” — it just means that the way we
categorize and define each of these things could actually be different.
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XII. EXERCISES/DRILLS:
DIRECTIONS: Indicate if the statements refer to sex or gender.

1. Breastfeeding babies is a woman’s responsibility. ___

2. Dysmenorrhea is suffered by some women. ___
3. Girls are gentle, boys are rough. ___
4. Men are susceptible to prostate cancer, women are not. ___
5. One of the leading diseases of women are breast and ovarian cancer. ___
6. Pink is for girls and blue for boys. ___
7. Some Arab countries still do not allow their women to drive. ___
8. There are more women than men in the caring professions like nursing and care-giving. ___
9. Women are paid only 40-60 per cent of the male wage. ___
10. Women give birth to babies, men don't. ___

XIII. EVALUATION:
DIRECTIONS: Provide the differences between the concept of sex and gender. Write the
answers on provided space.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SEX AND GENDER

NO. SEX GENDER

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LESSON 2. GENDER IDENTITY/GENDER EXPRESSION/ SEXUAL ORIENTATION

WHAT IS GENDER IDENTITY?

Gender identity is an individual’s deeply held sense of being male, female or another gender.
This is separate from biological sex. Gender identity is your own personal understanding of your
own gender.
Some children become aware at a very young age that their gender identity does not align with
their physical sex characteristics, even expressing disconnect as soon as they can talk. Other
transgender and gender-expansive people recognize their gender identity during adolescence or
adulthood.
Individuals whose biological sex and gender identity “match” rarely think about the alignment
of biology and identity because they have the privilege of being considered normal by society.
People whose gender identity and biological sex align are called cisgender.

WHAT IS GENDER EXPRESSION?

Gender expression can be defined as the way we show our gender to the world around us. It is
the external appearance of one’s gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing,
haircut or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and
characteristics typically associated with being masculine or feminine.

Societal expectations of gender expression are reinforced in almost every area of life. Even
very young children are clear about the gendered choices that boys and girls are “supposed to”
make in relation to toys, colors, clothes, games and activities.

Many people associate women with having a feminine gender expression and men with
having a masculine gender expression. Stereotypically feminine traits include nurturing or
caring for others, emotional vulnerability, and an overall docile demeanor. Stereotypically
masculine traits include the need to act as a protector, engaging in competitive or aggressive
behavior, and a high libido.
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Girls whose gender expression is seen as somewhat masculine are often considered tomboys.
Depending on the context and the degree to which they transgress norms, tomboys might be seen
positively, neutrally or negatively. For example, a girl who identifies as a gamer geek, cuts her
hair short and wears clothing perceived as masculine may be labelled as a “cute tomboy”.
However, positive or neutral labels are harder to come by for boys whose sex and gender
expression are seen as contrasting. There also is little room for boys to expand their gender
expression. Just wearing a scarf or walking in a stereotypically feminine way can lead to abuse
from peers, educators or family members.

WHAT IS SEXUAL ORIENTATION?

Sexual orientation is about our physical, emotional and/or romantic attractions to others. Like
gender identity, sexual orientation is internally held knowledge.

Students might identify as bisexual, pansexual, queer, and asexual or use a host of other words
that reflect their capacity to be attracted to more than one sex or gender or not to feel sexual
attraction at all. This emerging language illuminates a complex world in which simple either/or
designations such as gay or straight are insufficient.
The overlap and conflation of gender identity and sexual orientation can be confusing for
individuals trying to make sense of their own identities as well as for those who are clear about
their identities. It can also be complicated for anyone seeking to support them.
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EXERCISES/DRILLS:
DIRECTIONS: Choose someone you personally know who is a proud member of the LGBTQ+
and describe her/his/their gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation.

DESCRIPTION
GENDER IDENTITY:
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Picture
________________________________________________

GENDER EXPRESSION:
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________

Name: (Optional) SEXUAL ORIENTATION:

__________________________ ________________________________________________
________________________________________________
Relationship with:
________________________________________________
__________________________

EVALUATION:
ESSAY. DIRECTIONS: Answer the question clearly and concisely. You may answer in English,
Tagalog or Hiligaynon languages. Write your answer inside the box.

How would you describe your own gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation?

GENDER IDENTITY:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

GENDER EXPRESSION:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

SEXUAL ORIENTATION:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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LESSON 3. THE GENDER VOCABULARY

For most kids, birth sex and gender identity match. In some cases, though, children’s gender
identity—how they feel about themselves—differs from their biology. Some kids know their
gender identities and birth sexes don’t match almost as soon as they begin to talk. For some it is
as simple as wishing to swap one gender for another—“I was born a girl, but I’m really a boy.”
For others, their sense of gender exists somewhere between male and female, at various points
along what is known as the gender spectrum.

Today’s youth, more than ever, have a large vocabulary with which they can articulate their
gender identities, gender expression, and sexual orientations. The vocabulary of gender continues
to evolve and there is not universal agreement about the definitions of many terms.

Nonetheless, here is some working vocabulary and examples of frequently used (and misused)
terms:

ANDROGYNOUS - to describe someone who identifies or presents as neither distinguishably

masculine nor feminine.

AROMANTIC - experiencing little or no romantic attraction to others and/or has a lack of

interest in romantic relationships/behavior.

ASEXUAL - experiencing little or no sexual attraction to others and/or a lack of interest in

sexual relationships/behavior.

BISEXUAL - An identity label sometimes claimed by people who are sexually attracted to two
(or more) sexes or genders, not necessarily equally or simultaneously.

BUTCH - a person who identifies themselves as masculine, whether it be physically, mentally,

or emotionally. ‘Butch’ is sometimes used as a derogatory term for lesbians.

CISGENDER - a gender description for when someone’s sex assigned at birth and gender
identity correspond in the expected way (e.g., someone who was assigned male at birth, and
identifies as a man). A simple way to think about it is if a person is not transgender, they are
cisgender.

CLOSETED - an individual who is not open to themselves or others about their (queer)
sexuality or gender identity. This may be by choice and/or for other reasons such as fear for
one’s safety, peer or family rejection, or disapproval and/or loss, also known as being “in the
closet
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COMING OUT - a lifelong process of self-acceptance and revealing one’s queer identity to
others. This may involve something as private as telling a single confidant or something as
public as posting to social media.

DEMIROMANTIC - little or no capacity to experience romantic attraction until a strong sexual

connection is formed with someone, often within a sexual relationship.

DEMISEXUAL - little or no capacity to experience sexual attraction until a strong romantic

connection is formed with someone, often within a romantic relationship.

FEMME - A person, often—but not always—a lesbian or queer-identified woman, that

identifies strongly with “femininity.”

GAY - an umbrella term used to refer to the queer community as a whole, or as an individual
identity label for anyone who is not straight who is experiencing attraction solely (or
primarily) to some members of the same gender.

GENDER DYSPHORIA – When someone feels very unhappy, uneasy, or dissatisfied in

relation to their gender. This is something many people experience, including feeling a tension
between how someone feels about their body compared to how society genders their body, or
a conflict between how someone sees themselves in contrast with expected gender roles or
expectations.

GENDER FLUID - a gender identity label often used by people whose sense of self in relation
to gender changes from time-to-time. The time frame might be over the course of many months,
days, shorter, or longer, but the consistent experience is one of change.

HERMAPHRODITE - an outdated medical term previously used to refer to someone who was
born with some combination of typically-male and typically-female sex characteristics. It’s
considered stigmatizing and inaccurate.

HETEROSEXUAL - Used to describe people whose enduring physical, romantic and/or

emotional attraction is to people of the opposite sex.

HOMOPHOBIA - An umbrella term for a range of negative attitudes (e.g., fear, anger,
intolerance, resentment, erasure, or discomfort) that one may have toward LGBTQ people,
often expressed as discrimination, harassment and violence.

HOMOSEXUAL - a person primarily emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to

members of the same sex/gender. This [medical] term is considered stigmatizing (particularly
as a noun) due to its history as a category of mental illness, and is discouraged for common use
(use gay or lesbian instead).

INTERSEX - term for a combination of chromosomes, gonads, hormones, internal sex organs,
and genitals that differs from the two expected patterns of male or female. Formerly known as
hermaphrodite (or hermaphroditic), but these terms are now outdated and derogatory.

LESBIAN - women who are primarily attracted romantically, erotically, and/or emotionally to
other women.

MISGENDER - To refer to someone in a way that does not correctly reflect the gender with
which they identify, such as refusing to use a person’s pronouns or name.
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OUTING - The inappropriate act of publicly declaring (sometimes based on rumor and/or
speculation) or revealing another person’s sexual orientation or gender identity without that
person’s consent.

PANROMANTIC - May refer to a person who feels emotional and romantic attractions, but
identifies as asexual.

PANSEXUAL - Used to describe people who have the potential for emotional, romantic or
sexual attraction to people of any gender identity, though not necessarily simultaneously, in
the same way or to the same degree.

QUEER - Once a derogatory term, a term reclaimed and used by some within academic
circles and the LGBTQ community to describe sexual orientations and gender identities that
are not exclusively heterosexual or cisgender.

QUESTIONING - A term used to describe people who are in the process of exploring their
sexual orientation or gender identity.

SEX REASSIGNMENT SURGERY (SRS) - used by some medical professionals to refer to a

group of surgical options that alter a person’s biological sex. “Gender confirmation surgery” is
considered by many to be a more affirming term. In most cases, one or multiple surgeries are
required to achieve legal recognition of gender variance. Some refer to different surgical
procedures as “top” surgery and “bottom” surgery to discuss what type of surgery they are
having without having to be more explicit.

TRANSGENDER - An umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from the sex
they were assigned at birth. Not all trans-people undergo transition. Being transgender does
not imply any specific sexual orientation.

TRANSITIONING - A process during which some people strive to more closely align their
gender identity with their gender expression. This includes socially transitioning, during
which a person may change their pronouns, the name they ask to be called or the way they
dress to be socially recognized as another gender. This includes legal transitioning, which may
involve an official name change and modified IDs and birth certificates. And this
includes physically transitioning, during which a person may undergo medical interventions to
more closely align their body to their gender identity.

TRANSPHOBIA - The fear and hatred of, or discomfort with, transgender people. This may
manifest into transphobic actions, such as violence, harassment, misrepresentation or
exclusion.

TRANSSEXUAL - A less frequently used term (considered by some to be outdated or

offensive) which refers to people who use medical interventions such as hormone therapy,
gender-affirming surgery (GAS) or sex reassignment surgery (SRS) as part of the process of
expressing their gender.

TRANSVESTITE - a person who dresses as the binary opposite gender expression

(“cross-dresses”) for any one of many reasons, including relaxation, fun, and sexual
gratification (often called a “cross-dresser,” and should not be confused with transsexual).
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EXERCISES/DRILLS:
DIRECTIONS: Choose the words inside the box that will fittingly describe the following
personalities. Answers may be more than one. Write your answers on the space provided.

BUTCH GAY LESBIAN TRANSGENDER TRANSSEXUAL

FEMME HOMOSEXUAL QUEER TRANSITIONING TRANSVESTITE
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EVALUATION:
DIRECTIONS: Identify which words inside the box that categorically belong under the concept
of sex, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation. Write your answers on the space
provided.

ANDROGYNOUS CISGENDER HERMAPHRODITE INTERSEX QUEER

BISEXUAL DEMISEXUAL HETEROSEXUAL PANSEXUAL TRANSGENDER

SEX GENDER GENDER SEXUAL

IDENTITY EXPRESSION ORIENTATION
1. 1. 1. 1.

2. 2. 2.

3. 3.

4.

XIV. ADDITIONAL READING:

XV. REFERENCES:

Clements, K. (2019, January 24). What's the Difference Between Sex and Gender? Health Line.
Retrieved October 01, 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/sex-vs-gender

Comprehensive* List of LGBTQ+ Vocabulary Definitions. (n.d.) It's Pronounced Metrosexual.

Retrieved October 02, 2020 from
https://www.itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2013/01/a-comprehensive-list-of-lgbtq-term-definitio
ns/

Ivy Panda. (2019, May 1). Sex and Gender. Retrieved October 01, 2020, from
https://ivypanda.com/essays/sex-and-gender-essay

Language of Gender. April 16, 2020. Gender Spectrum. Retrieved October 04, 2020, from
https://genderspectrum.org/articles/language-of-gender

Sex and gender: Meanings, definition, identity, and expression. (n.d.) Medical News Today.
Retrieved October 01, 2020, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232363

Sex? Sexual Orientation? Gender Identity? Gender Expression? (n.d.) Teaching Tolerance.
Retrieved October 7, from
https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/summer-2015/sex-sexual-orientation-gender-identity-gender-
expression