Gender and the Role of Social Institutions Session 2
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Film Showing
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Introduction • Gender roles are deep-seated in the culture, as well as, in the belief and value systems of the society. • Pervasive social control further reinforce, maintain and sanction gender roles. Office of the President Philippine Commission on Women
Introduction • Gender norms are taught and reinforced by various social institutions. • Social institutions reinforce social values that boys and girls, men and women; are not only different from each other, but also, they are not equal. • Boys and men have more value than women. Office of the President Philippine Commission on Women
Are Women born Feminine? Are Men born Masculine? A majority of behavioral scientists agree that...
Gender Roles are not inborn. They are learned. Office of the President Philippine Commission on Women
Learning of gender roles begin in the early stages of childhood.
As an outcome: Male genderroles and Female genderroles develop.
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How is this system/process perpetuated?
Through the process of Socialization
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“Gender roles in our society are acquired via the process of socialization rather than biologically determined.� Oakley (1981)
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Socialization The process by which an individual learns to conform to the norms of the group where one: - is born with -internalizes these norms -acquire status -plan corresponding roles
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4 Processes of Socialization Manipulation refers to ways where parents deter or encourage behaviour on the basis of appropriateness in regards to gender Canalization *refers to the way in which parents channel the child's interests in activities in conjunction with gender as deemed appropriate. Oakley (1981)
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4 Processes of Socialization Verbal Appellations use of language to label children in a way that reinforces appropriate gender identification. Activity Exposures activities conformity to norms and practices that reinforces appropriate gender identification. Oakley (1981)
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SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS • perpetuates the assignment of characteristics associated with women and men • influences gender roles socialization • Mechanism of social control that maintains gender roles Office of the President Philippine Commission on12Women
Mechanisms of Social Control: The Socialization Institutions – consist of laws, customs, folkways, and fashion that strongly influence, if not shape individual behaviors so that those would conform to group demands – internalized so that society’s moral demands and standards become constitutive elements of the individual’s personality Office of the President Philippine Commission on Women
SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS • • • • • •
Family Workplace Educational Institutions Church Media State Office of the President Philippine Commission on Women
Social Institutions: Family ‌ has the most influence because the formative years of every individual is almost always spent with and developed by the family. Office of the President Philippine Commission on15Women
Social Institutions: Education/School ‌ the formal
school system promotes and encourages the different gender roles between men and women. Sex segregation system‌. Gender stereotype roles in teaching materials and selection of courses Office of the President Philippine Commission on16Women
Social Institutions: Religion ‌. Reinforcing gender stereotypes through religious teachings, doctrines and symbols *Good women/wife as martyrs, self sacrificing and conservatives Affecting reproductive choices Office of the President Philippine Commission on17Women
Social Institutions: Work … gender discrimination in relation to occupation and pay … Balance of family life and work … Question of power relations as well access and control to resources Illustration – Time Line discussion Office of the President Philippine Commission on18Women
Social Institutions: Mass Media … reinforcing gender stereotypes and sex based discrimination through media portrayal of men and women Commodification of women’s bodies… docile homemakers… macho men
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Social Institutions: The State ‌ Creates laws and policies that ensure the maintenance of the system. • Instrumental in passing laws that are discriminatory to women and other sexual orientations. Office of the President Philippine Commission on20Women
Did you know that‌ The Revised Penal Code gives different grounds for adultery and concubinage – an offense referred to in the Family Code as sexual infidelity. For the wife, sexual infidelity means one act of sexual intercourse with other men. For the husband, it is sexual intercourse under scandalous circumstances, keeping another woman in the conjugal abode or cohabitation with her in another dwelling.
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GENDER ROLES RESULT IN GENDER BIASes M ar gi na
liz a
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Su b
Violence
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Personal ste Gend reo er typ ing
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en
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Is it just women who can be gender-sensitive? ď‚ŹNo. ď‚ŹAnyone can be
gender-sensitive
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Being Gender Sensitive is understanding that this: means taking women and men seriously • SEEING – women and men, what they actually do, rather than relying on assumptions • HEARING – women and men, their needs, priorities and perspectives • COUNTING – valuation of women’s work • RESPECTING – women and men’s views and human rights • CARING – about women and men and what happen to them through development programs Office of the President Philippine Commission on24Women
How then can you say that one is gender sensitive? ď‚Ź You respect every person/individual, regardless of
age, ability (physical or mehtal), belief/religion, educational attainment, race, ethinic group, status in society, marital status, region of origin, color, sexual orientation and gender identity
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L et’s R eview Office of the President Philippine Commission on Women
The Gender Tree
Roles Activities / Work
Responsibilities Organized, reinforced, maintained by: Education/School, Family, State/Law, Media, Workplace, Peer-groups Religion, Economic system, Science
Norms
Tradition Beliefs
GENDER
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End Notes • The challenge is to strike an appropriate balance of gender roles between men and women/boys and girls, through education and training, given that gender, role differences and stereotyping are socially constructed. • Gender role stereotyping and consequent subordination of women to men is a deterrent to development. Thus, it is important to address them in development planning.
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End Notes • Gender concerns and issues in development are often overlooked in development because top level management and specialists often think that their programs have nothing to do with gender. • It is important for development practitioners to determine practical and strategic needs borne out of a thorough assessment so that appropriate interventions will impact and benefit women and men.
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