GENDER AND SOCIETY REVIEWER
POINTERS FOR REVIEW:
1. Sexuality vs. Heteronormativity
2. Love as a Human Experience
3. Proponents of Love Theories
4. Love Languages
5. Biomedical Aspect of Gender (Further Reading)
6. Teenage Risky Behaviors (Alcohol and Drugs)
7. Male vs. Female Genitals
I. SEXUALITY VS. HETERONORMATIVITY
Terminology:
● Sex - biological aspect of sex; maleness and femaleness
● Gender - social interpretation of sec; masculinity, femininity, etc
● Sex Chromosomes - chromosomal markers that distinguish females (XX) from male
(XY) species
● Intersex - individuals with composite genitals (possessing some characteristics of both
male and female genitals).
● Gender Identity - our sense of who we are: do we see and experience ourselves as a man,
a woman, or neither.
● Transgender - a person’s biological sex does not align with one’s gender identity
● Sexual Orientation - gender pertains to our emotional and sexual attraction to a person
● Heterosexuals/Straight - attracted to the opposite sex
● Homosexual/Gay/Lesbian - attracted of the same sex
● Bisexual/Bi - attracted to both sexes, male, or female.
Sexuality
- the totality of our own experience of our sex and gender
- a central aspect of being human throughout life that encompasses sex, gender identities
and roles, sexual orientation, eroticism, pleasure, intimacy and reproduction.
- experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values,
behaviors, practices, roles and relationships.
Heteronormativity
- what makes heterosexuality seem coherent, natural, and privileged.
- involves the assumption that everyone is naturally heterosexual, and that heterosexuality
is an ideal, superior to homosexuality or bisexual.
LOVE AS A HUMAN EXPERIENCE
Terminology:
● Love - a complex phenomenon characterized by an affective and cognitive inclination to
someone and a set of social behaviors geared towards cohesion.
● Intimacy - the psychosocial component of love; knowing and being known by someone
in a deeply personal level; emotional closeness and connection
● Passion - the emotive and physical component of love: drive towards sexual and romantic
attraction.
● Commitment - decision to engage and maintain a loving relationship
● Relationship - social bond between and among individuals manifested through
communication and other forms of interaction. This bond may be biological or
determined by social contracts such as social consensus or laws.
Love is a human experience differently defined and conceptualized.
Love as a culture universal
- construed as a culture universal
- a phenomenon experienced similarly by people across time and cultures.
- love is an experience that transcends time and culture.
Love as a social phenomenon
- viewed as a social phenomenon.
- events or experiences which ensue within our interaction and relationships with other
people.
- entails communication - the process of giving and receiving information between and
among people.
- entails the uses of a language - symbols that are culturally agreed upon as possessing
certain meanings and that are used by people to express certain realities and worldviews.
Love as an emotion
- construed as an emotion (complex emotion)
- emotions are physiological responses that we evaluate psychologically as we experience
particular life events.
- Emotions: (joy, sadness, fear, disgust, and anger)
Love as a neurobiological event
- through recent advancements in science
- information is being passed on within our nervous system - conglomerate of organs
(including our brain, our spinal cord, and our nerves)
- Responsible for our ability to process and transmit essential information among the many
organs in our body.
- love is associated with various parts of our brain, loving experience is commonly
associated with the activation of the ventral tegmental area (VTA)
- Associated with endorphins that provide humans a good mood.
PROPONENTS OF LOVE THEORIES
Theorizing Love
- a rather complex idea, which can be described, defined and experienced in myriad of
ways, several theories and frameworks offer diverse perspectives on how it can be
understood and explained.
Psychodynamic view on love (Psychodynamic theory)
- a collective term, pertains to the psychoanalytic tradition forwarded by Sigmund Freud
(a Viennese neurologist), as well as the succeeding theories that support, redefine, or
refute his propositions.
- posits that we have desires and motives fueled by our life (eros) and death (thanatos)
instincts.
- puts prime influence on our early life experiences (conception - 6 years old) - formative
years.
- love can be seen as a manifestation of our eros and the placement of our libido (life
energy) unto an object (a thing or a person towards whom we transfer our psychic
energies to ease pain or achieve pleasure.)
Color Wheel of Love
- John Alan Lee (1973), a Canadian psychologist - there are different types of love.
- PRIMARY TYPES: eros (sexual and romantic), philia (friendly), and storge
(parental/filial love).
- SECONDARY TYPES: pragma (practical love), agape (universal love), and philautia
(self-love).
Triangular Model of Love
- Sternberg (1986) - a psychologist.
- looks at love from a psychometric stance, means that it is generally concerned about
trying to measure love as a psychological variable
- determining the various dimensions and facets that love has as experienced by people.
- Infatuation: passion is only present
- Companionate/Friendly Love: intimacy and commitment are present
- Liking - intimacy is only present
- Empty Love - commitment is only present
- Fatuous/Ludic Love - passion and commitment are present
- Consummate Love: passion, intimacy and commitment are present.
- Passion - refers to the physical/emotional aspect.
- Intimacy - pertains to the psychological/relational aspect.
- Commitment - pertains to the agency component, that is the choice we make with regards
to engaging and maintaining the loving relationship.
Romantic and Companionate Love
- Hatfield and Rapson (1978,1993) - there are two general types of love: romantic and
companionate love
- Romantic Love - characterized by intense passion “a state of intense longing for union
with your partner”
- Companionate Love - characterized by intense intimacy-emotional closeness-which is
also characteristic of liking.
-
Love language
- Gary Chapman, a world-renown author, suggests that people have various ways through
which we give and receive love.
- referred to these unique ways as love languages.
5 Language of Love
1. Words of Affirmation - tend to verbally express their thoughts and feelings of love
towards the people they love.
2. Touch - express love non-verbally through hugs, kisses, or simply, a tap on the back.
3. Time - tend to value quality moments with their loved ones.
4. Gifts - want to show and receive affection through material objects, especially during
special occasions.
5. Acts of Service - much willing to serve the other person by helping her or him in things
that they do.
V. BIOMEDICAL PERSPECTIVE IN GENDER AND SEXUALITY
Terminology:
● Reproduction - process of producing off-springs.
● Genitals - external sex organs.
● Primary Sex Characteristic - sex characteristics that are present at birth.
● Secondary Sex Characteristics - sex characteristics that emerge during puberty.
The Biological Female
- Designed for the production and fertilization of ovum, as well as carrying and delivering
infant offspring.
The female external genitalia consists of the following:
● vulva - all the external genital structures taken together;
● mons veneris - pads of fatty tissue between public bone and skin;
● labia majora- outer lips surrounding the other structures.
● prepuce - clitoral hood (foreskin above and covering clitoris);
● clitoris - glans (head), shaft, and crura (root), the clitoris is particularly sensitive to
stimulation;
● labia minora - inner lips surrounding the vestibule where sweat and oil glands, extensive
blood vessels, and nerve endings are located;
● vestibule - area surrounding the urethral opening and vagina, which is highly sensitive
with extensive blood vessels and nerve endings.
● urethral opening - end of the tube connecting to bladder and used for urination;
● vaginal opening - also called introitus; and
● perineum - area of skin separating the genitalia from the anus; distance is less in females
than males
The female internal reproductive structures consist of the following:
● vagina - collapsible canal extending from vaginal opening back and upward into body to
cervix and uterus. During arousal, it is engorged with blood. This aids its expansion and
triggers the release of lubricants from vaginal mucosa;
● cervix - small end of uterus to which vagina leads. It is the opening in cervix leading to
interior of uterus;
● uterus - womb, organ within pelvic zone where fetus is carried;
● fallopian tubes- carry egg cells from ovaries to uterus, this is where fertilization occurs;
and
● ovaries - produce estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen influences female sex
characteristics and initiates the menstrual cycle. Progesterone aids in regulation of
menstrual cycle and promotes mature development of uterine lining to allow for zygote
implantation. Also produce ova, egg cells, and bring them to maturity.
Puberty
More female characteristics:
● Generally shorter than men;
● Greater proportion of body weight composed of fat than men;
● Two X chromosomes reduces expression of many sex-linked conditions; and
● Lower mortality rate at every age and longer projected lifespan than men.
The Biological Male
- Designed for the production and delivery of sperm for fertilization of the female’s ovum.
The male external genitalia consist of the following structures:
● prepuce - foreskin covering head of penis, removed in male circumcision;
● penis - glans (head), shaft, and root. The glans is particularly sensitive to stimulation.
Running the length of the penis is the urethra surrounded by the spongy body and two
cylindrical chambers known as the cavernous bodies. During arousal, these become
engorged with blood, resulting in erection;
● corona - rim of glans where it arises from shaft;
● frenulum - thin strip of skin connecting glans and shaft on underside of penis;
● scrotum - sac that encloses the two compartments housing the testes;
● urethral opening - found on the head of penis this is the end of the tube connected to the
bladder and used for urination. It is also to which structures deliver semen by which male
ejaculates; and
● perineum - area of skin separating the genitalia from the anus, distance is greater in males
than females.
The male internal reproductive organs:
● testes - produce androgen, particularly large quantities of testosterone, which
greatly influence male development and drive sexual motivation; also produce
sperm cells in virtually unlimited quantity over the entire course of the lifespan;
● vas deferens - travels from testicle toward urethra carrying sperm;
● seminal vesicles - two glands that produce alkaline fluid rich in fructose sugar,
comprising some 70% of semen volume. Alkaline nature may stimulate sperm to
start self-propulsion and sugar may provide sperm nutrients. Ducts carry fluid and
connect with vas deferens forming ejaculatory ducts;
● ejaculatory ducts - connect vas deferens to urethra;
● prostate - gland producing alkaline secretions that account for about 30% of
semen volume. Alkaline nature may help counteract otherwise, acidic
environment of urethra and vagina making them more hospitable for sperm. Fluid
passes through a series of ducts along wall of urethra; and
● urethra - tube within penis that carries sperm and semen the rest of the way to the
opening of the penis.
More Male Characteristics:
● Generally taller and greater proportion of body weight composed of water;
● Proportionately larger heart and lungs, presumably to handle greater blood fluid volume;
● Exposure to greater levels of testosterone resulting in heavier body and facial hair, but
also increased frequency and degree of baldness; and
● Single X chromosome resulting in sex-linked conditions such as color blindness and
hemophilia
Ovulation - the process when a mature ovum is released from the ovary and travels to the
fallopian tube for possible fertilization
Fertilization - union of the sperm and the ovum.
Pregnancy - the process when an offspring develops within the mother’s womb.
● Female puberty - 8-13 years of age; reproductive maturation of boys lags about 2
years behind that of girls.
● Physical changes of female puberty: breast development, rounding of the hips and
buttocks, growth of the hair in the pubic region and underarm and menstruation.
How does one ovulate?
● Monthly ovulation cycle that leads to menstruation in the absence of pregnancy.
● Menstrual cycle is from the first day of a period until the day before the next period starts
● Lasts around 28 days, on the average, can be as short as 21 or as long as 40.
● Ovulation will happen about 10-16 days before the start of the next period.
How does pregnancy occur?
● the sperm needs to meet up with an egg.
● officially starts when a fertilized egg implants in the lining of the uterus.
● happens 2-3 weeks after sexual intercourse.
● redundant so it was it redacted.
● normal pregnancy lasts 37-42 weeks (nine months)
● measured from the first day of the last period
● discussed in terms of trimesters (three-month periods), since each trimester is very
different from the rest
● after 8 weeks, the embryo is officially referred to as a fetus.
Conception - the process that begins with fertilization of an egg by the sperm and ends with
implantation.
What can be done to prevent teenage pregnancy?
● Has a tremendous impact on the educational, social, and economic lives of young people.
● Reduces the likelihood that a young woman will complete high school and pursue the
necessary post-secondary education needed to compete in today’s economy.
VI. RISKY BEHAVIORS OF ADOLESCENTS
Terminology:
● Risk - the probability that a hazard in the environment can actually negatively affect the
individual.
● Risk-taking - a behavior of doing something regardless of potential loss.
TROUBLE SIGNS among TEENS:
● sexual promiscuity;
● regular use of drugs and alcohol;
● repeated violation of the law or school regulation;
● running away more than once in three months;
● skipping school more than once in three months;
● aggressive outbursts/impulsiveness;
● dark drawings or writings;
● deterioration in hygiene;
● oppositional behavior;
● refusal to work/non-compliance;
● chronic lateness;
● falling asleep in class;
● changes in physical appearance; and
● excessive daydreaming.
Harmful practices
- play a significant role in shaping the way young people and adolescents behave and lead
their lives.
Common drugs abused by young people and their effects:
1. Marijuana (also known as Cannabis, Grass, Joint, Slif, Hashish, Pot, Weed)
- a plant grown and used worldwide.
- smoked that leaves but the leaves and the stem can be made into tea, or even
cookies.
- causes increases in heart rate and dilation of certain blood vessels in the eyes,
which creates the characteristics of blood-shot eyes.
- Other potential adverse effects include impairment of long term memory, gun
disease, increased risk of cancers of the mouth, jaw, tongue and lung; and
impairment of the immune system.
2. Mairungi (also known as Khat, Qat, and Mirraa)
- the common name for a stimulant leaf that is chewed in much of East Africa.
- can help someone feel more awake, confident, and energetic, and can also reduce
hunger.
- negative effects: sleeplessness, anxiety, aggressive behavior, hallucinations.
3. Alcohol
- the most common drug and is used worldwide.
- it is legal, often kept in the home and comes in extremely cheap local brews,
extremely easy to find and consume
- can cause slurred speech and aggressive behavior that can lead to fights, rape, or
other kinds of violence.
- can end up vomiting, becoming unconscious, or even dying.
4. Cigarettes (tobacco, cigars)
- reasons for smoking: influence of friends, seductive advertisements, and older
role models like siblings’ or celebrities.
- ‘cool’ thing to do
- tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world.
- highly addictive.
- tar in cigarettes increases a smoker’s risk of lung cancer, emphysema, and
bronchial disorders.
- carbon monoxide in smoke increases the chance of cardiovascular diseases.
- inhaling smoke passively causes lung cancer in adults and greatly increases the
risk of respiratory illness in children.
5. Cocaine (also known as Crack, COke, C, Charlie, Nose candy, Toot, Bazooka, Big C,
Cake, Lady, Stardust, Coco, Flake, Mister coffee)
- prepared from coca leaves which are greenish-yellow leaves of different size and
appearance.
- often called the “champagne of drugs” because of its high cost.
- small amount of cocaine raises body temperature, make the heart beat faster,
increase the breathing rate, makes you feel over confident, and make you more
alert with extra energy.
- lead to convulsions, seizures, strokes, cerebral hemorrhage, or heart failure
- Lead to strong psychological dependence and other health problems like
destroying nose tissues, reportorial problems, and wieght loss.
6. Heroine (also known as Hammer, Horse, H, Junk, Nod, Smack, Skag, White, beige,
White lady, white stuff, Joy powder boy, Hairy, Joy powder)
- a drug obtained from morphine and comes from the opium poppy plant.
- a drug that slows down the user’s body and minds
- a very strong painkiller and can be one of the most dangerous things to mix with
other drugs.
- comes in a rock or powdered form, generally white or pink/beige in color and
could also come in dark grey/ medium brown.
- provides an extremely powerful rush and a high that usually lasts for between four
to six hours.
- effects include a feeling of well-being, relief from pain, fast physical and
psychological dependence, sometimes nausea and vomiting, sleepiness, loss of
balance, loss of concentration, and loss of appetite.
- overdose can result in death
7. Inhalants
- a broad range of household and industrial chemicals whose volatile vapors or
pressurized gasses can be concentrated and breathed in via the nose of mouth to
produce intoxication.
- placed in bottom of a cup or container and then, placed over the nose and mouth
- Methods include: soaking a rag in an inhalant, placing the rag in bag or sack and
then placing the bag over the face, and inhaling the vapors.
- may give user a “high” for a very brief period of time
- make it feel numb for a short period of time, dizzy, confused, and drowsy.
- cause headaches, nausea, fainting, accelerated heartbeat, disorientation,
hallucination.
- cause suffocation, convulsions, and comatose
- damage the lungs, kidney, and liver
● Awareness - understanding of oneself & others
● Intimacy & Relationship - knowing others and letting others know you and forming
bonds with people
● Learning and Socialization - learning cultural norms and tradition
● Purpose and Meaning - integration of all lite interpretations into one's own choice.
● Affective primacy hypothesis - emotion is more primitive because of the Limbic System
that is incharge on our feelings and emotion.
● Psychological aspect of gender - concerned with how people think, feel and how thoughts
and feelings interact and lead to behavior
● Primary emotional responses - fight (when we face adverse or dangerous stimuli
squarely), Flight (moving away from the adverse or dangerous stimuli), and Freeze
(startled and unable to make a choice, unable to move)
