Gender & Society

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 Lesson 1: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality Module 1

Lesson Objectives:
After this chapter, learners should be able to:
a. Differentiate sex, gender, and sexuality;
b. discuss the implication of these differences; and
c. contemplate about your sexuality and on the importance of
appreciating sexual diversity.

Definition of Terms:
• Sex - the biological aspect of sex; maleness or femaleness.
• Gender - the social interpretation of sex; masculinity, femininity, etc.
• Sexuality - the totality of own experience of our sex and gender.
• Sex chromosomes - chromosomal markers the distinguish female
(XX) from male (XY) species.
• Intersexuality - a condition in which an individual has composite
genitals (possessing some characteristics of both male and female
genitals).
According to American Psychological Association (2016), intersexuality is a naturally
occurring variation in humans and animals (1 in 1500 births).

Gender & Society Module 1: Gender and Sexuality as a Social Reality

 Lesson 1: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality Module 1

Introduction

What does it mean to be a man or a woman, feminine or masculine, or

male or female? The human mind and body are so complex that in order
to answer this question, we must trace our journey from the moment we
were born all the way back to the journey we humans have throughout our
lives. Sex and gender are two very important but undervalued aspects of
human life. From our perspective on life, how we conduct ourselves at
work, and how we regard laws and values in our society.

This chapter will help us understand the complexities of defining and

differentiating sex, gender, and sexuality. It is very essential to have a clear
understanding of these concepts because there are nuances in the
meanings of these terms that affect when and where we can use them
appropriately. Furthermore, the lesson from this chapter will also help us
understand how a person's gender is expressed from birth to adulthood,
as well as foster an understanding of the diversity of how humans
experience and express their sexuality within the family, workplace,
community, and larger society.

Gender & Society Module 1: Gender and Sexuality as a Social Reality

 Lesson 1: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality Module 1

What is Sex?

Sex is the biological dimension of your gender and sexuality. The term
biological sex refers to your identity based on your sexual anatomy and
physiology - the parts of your body that are relevant to the act of
reproduction.

Biological Markers

Chromosomes - protein structures that contain genetic materials

used to determine sex.
Sex Chromosomes - marks a person's biological sex.

Male
XY sex chromosomes
tend to have higher levels of testosterone - associated to sex
drive and aggression.

Gender & Society Module 1: Gender and Sexuality as a Social Reality

 Lesson 1: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality Module 1

FeMale
XX sex chromosomes
tend to have higher levels of estrogen and progesterone -
associated to lactation, menstruation, fertilization, and other female
reproductive functions

The female sex is identified by the following characteristics: it

produces egg cells that are fertilized by another sex and bears
the offspring.

The male sex, on the other hand, produces sperm cells to fertilize
the egg cells.

The pair of chromosomes are distinct from one another because

the differences in their characteristics are necessary for
reproduction. The union of the sexes (XX and XY or male and
female), produces offspring.

Intersex Individual - an individual who exhibits sexual characteristics

of both sexes.
Intersexuality - refers to the modern and evolving term for
hermaphroditism (named after two Greek gods, Hermes, a male Greek
god, and Aphrodite, a female Greek goddess), the condition of having
sexual characteristics of both sexes.

Gender & Society Module 1: Gender and Sexuality as a Social Reality

 Lesson 1: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality Module 1

What is Gender?

Gender refers to the psychological, behavioral, social, and cultural

aspects of being male or female (i.e., masculinity or femininity). It is a
socially learned behavior that is typically associated with one's sex.

According to the World Health Organization (2021), gender refers to the

socially constructed characteristics of men and women, such as
norms, roles, and relationships among and between groups of men and
women. It varies from society to society and can be changed.

Gender is a social construct that determines one's roles, expected

values, behavior, and interaction in relationships involving men
and women.

It influences what access is available to men and women in

terms of decision-making, knowledge, and resources.

Sex and gender are distinct concepts, but gender is often

associated with sex.

Gender & Society Module 1: Gender and Sexuality as a Social Reality

 Lesson 1: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality Module 1

Someone who identifies with the gender assigned to them at birth

is referred to as "cisgender."
Someone who is not cisgender and does not identify within the
gender binary — of man or woman, boy or girl — may identify as
nonbinary, genderfluid, or genderqueer, among other identities.
Transgender people identify as people whose gender identity
differs from their natal sex, (Medical News Today, 2021).

Sex vs. Gender

Gender & Society Module 1: Gender and Sexuality as a Social Reality

 Lesson 1: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality Module 1

Sexuality
The expression of one's thoughts, feelings, and relationships, as well as the
biology of the sexual response, which includes sexual feelings, thoughts,
attractions, and behaviors toward other people.
The American Psychological Association defines sexuality as the ability of
an individual to derive pleasure from various forms of sexual activity and
behavior, particularly sexual intercourse.
Other people can be physically, sexually, or emotionally appealing to you,
and all of these things are a part of your sexuality. Sexuality is diverse and
personal, and it is an important part of who you are.

Identity and Expression

Gender identity is the self-identification of a person as male or female.
A person may identify and express their gender in different ways.
Gender identity refers to how a person feels on the inside, whereas
expression refers to how they present themselves to the outside world.

Gender expression is heavily influenced by our social and

cultural environment. Most people are at ease with their
gender and sex; men who are masculine and women who are
feminine. Each culture also has different standards for how
men and women should behave and present themselves based on
their sex and gender.

Gender & Society Module 1: Gender and Sexuality as a Social Reality

 Lesson 1: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality Module 1

Activity no. 1

Gender & Society Module 1: Gender and Sexuality as a Social Reality

 Lesson 1: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality Module 1

Sexual Orientation
Another aspect of our gender pertains to our emotional and sexual
attraction to a person. This aspect refers to our sexual orientation.
According to the Psychological Association of the Philippines, typically
at ages 6 or 8, we experience or develop attraction to other people. By
adolescence, we already know who we are attracted to and would
experiment through dating and relationships.

Everyone's sexuality is different and deeply personal. Our capacity for

emotional and sexual attraction is diverse and complex, but there are a
few common terms or labels for us to use.

People who are attracted to the opposite sex are called

'heterosexuals' or "straight."
People who are attracted to people of the same sex are called
"homosexual," "gay" or "lesbian."
"Bisexual" or "bi" people are attracted to both sexes, male or female.
LGBT refers to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
community.

Gender & Society Module 1: Gender and Sexuality as a Social Reality

 Lesson 1: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality Module 1

Embracing Diversity
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), nature and
nurture play a complex role in shaping our sexual orientation.
Homosexuality and heterosexuality are part of the human sexuality and
is a large part of the human experience.

Identifying as heterosexual, lesbian, bisexual, gay, or transgender is a

deeply personal process, so it may be more difficult for others to
'come out' or become comfortable enough with their sexuality to share
it with others. Others experience it early in adolescence, whereas
others may take time to understand and discover themselves.

According to the Psychological Association of the Philippines, "we can

only truly tell if the person is gay, lesbian, or bisexual if the person
shares with us his or her experiences and feelings of attraction towards
other people." This is why it is important for everyone to feel safe when
discussing their sexuality because it is a personal and sensitive topic.
We can do so in an environment free of judgment and discrimination.
People who are subjected to prejudice and discrimination suffer
psychological consequences; therefore, we must work to create an
inclusive environment in which everyone feels safe.

Gender & Society Module 1: Gender and Sexuality as a Social Reality

 Lesson 1: Sex, Gender, and Sexuality Module 1

Activity No. 2
Reflect after watching this short documentary about the nature of
human sexuality. Consider how this film depicts, portray, or defines
sex, gender, and sexuality. Your reflection should not be less than
200 words.

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Gender & Society Module 1: Gender and Sexuality as a Social Reality