CHAPTER 1: UNDERSTANDING GENDER AND GENDER Sexual Orientation

SEXUALITY AS A SOCIAL REALITY • Gender - Refers to the distinctive qualities of men and women, • Aspect of gender that pertains to our emotional and sexual
the masculinity and femininity of an individual that are culturally attraction to a person:
created. • Heterosexuals or “straight” – attracted to the opposite sex
• Sex - refers to biological attributes and characteristics, such
• The state of being male or female: Typically used with reference • Homosexual (gay or lesbian) – attracted to people of the
as male and female, determined by reproductive organs
to social and cultural differences rather than biological ones. same sex
and chromosomes.
• Gender is socially and culturally constructed, emphasizing •
• Gender - describes the social and cultural roles, behaviors, Bisexual – attracted to both sexes, male or female
differences between men and women.
and expectations associated with being male or female in a
given society. • It differentiates people based on perceptions, roles, and social
expectations, and is concerned with notions of femininity and
• Sexuality - refers to a person's sexual orientation,
masculinity.
preferences, and experiences.
• Sex and gender are distinct but interconnected concepts.
• Sex is primarily biological, while gender is largely influenced
by societal and cultural factors.
• Sexuality encompasses a wide range of sexual orientations
and behaviors.
• Understanding sex and gender is crucial in biomedical,
psychosocial, and political-legal contexts. HETERONORMATIVITY
• The intersection of sex and gender plays a significant role in • The phenomenon of determining the normality of a behavior
shaping individual experiences and health outcomes. based on whether it conforms or not to the expectations relative
Recognizing Diversity
to one’s biological sex.
• Nature and nurture play a complex role in shaping our sexual
However… orientation (American Psychological Association)
• There are those who do not follow culturally-accepted • Homosexuality and heterosexuality are part of human sexuality
standards of masculinity and femininity and large part of human experience.
• Natural variation of human gender expression • Identifying as heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual is a deeply
• Social and cultural practices change through time personal process – so may be difficult to ”come out”
SEX (BIOLOGICAL DIMENSION) Gender Identity • Some come early in adolescence, others may take time to
• Aspect of gender referring to the sense of who we are understand and discover themselves
• Sex (Biological Dimension) - Refers to the biological and • According to the Psychological Association of the Philippines,
physiological differences between males and females as • How we see and experience ourselves (as a man, a woman,
or neither). “We can only tell if the person is gay, lesbian, or
determined by nature.
Transgender bisexual if they share with us their experiences
• Biological attributes: Include physical characteristics like body
• Cases when a person’s biological sex does not align with and feelings of attraction towards them, that is
contour, features, genitals, and reproductive organs.
why, it is important for everyone to feel safe as
• Genetic factors: Involve differences in chromosomes and one’s gender identity
• Example: they share their sexuality since it is a personal
hormones.
and sensitive topic.”
• Labels: Typically categorized as female or male, man or woman, • a male who does not feel comfortable identifying as a man
based on these biological attributes. (transgender woman) • It can be done in an environment wherein we do not feel judged
• a female who is not comfortable identifying as a woman and discriminated upon.
(transgender man)
• May undergo gender reassignment surgery
STUDY OF GENDER AND SEXUALITY • Society is organized and maintained in a way that men rule over CHINA
EVOLUTION OF UNDERSTANDING GENDER AND SEXUALITY women and their children • Confucianism's written rules – dictate how women should
• Men are expected to lead in the social, legal, political, and conduct themselves
• Society has progressed so much; information and knowledge is economic spheres • “Three obedience’s and four virtues” and “Precepts of women”
available to everyone - opportunity to examine social and • Women are expected to obey and are relegated to house chores, states that women should obey their father, when married she
political conditions child rearing, and child care is to obey her husband, and when widowed she is to obey her
• Across time, humans’ conception of gender and sexuality has • Patrilineal society often follows a patriarchal society – only men son
also changed can inherit property and family name • Gendered biases in ancient patriarchal societies were very strict,
• Distant past (dawn of civilizations) – human societies have high • Women are left with no inheritance and are expected to marry heavily enforced, and often violent.
regard for women men who could support them economically • Woman – not being able to go to school, not being able to
• Concept of divine feminine (the sacredness of woman due to her • Women were not allowed to go to schools, to vote, to not express opinion on important matters even when it concerns
ability to conceive children) has prevailed –treated women concern themselves in learning science or politics your future, and not being able to say no to any man.
equally with men Patriarchy as a social construct • Patriarchy has taken on subtle forms of oppression:
• Egalitarian societies – men and women have equitable power • Viewed as a social construct and not as a biological phenomenon • Sexism – prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination based on
and roles • History suggests an egalitarian system (prehistoric hunters- sex;
• Agricultural era (presumably) – humans’ discovery of paternity gatherers) rather than patriarchal system – men and women • Gender pay gap – men earn more than women
(fatherhood/role of the father in conception) contribute to society and enjoy the same social status. • Underrepresentation in politics, military, executive positions,
• Began to establish communities and tame rear cattle and stocks • Came about when people started having private property etc.;
• Changed how societies viewed women and men therefrom instead of a communal living (F. Engels) • Rape on women and the stigma making women ashamed to
• Longest time thereafter – societies have privileged men over • Development of agriculture – led to creating product surplus report the crime;
other genders. which allows people to have private property Patriarchy has taken on subtle forms of oppression:
• Preferential given to the men in the productive sphere (world of • As a way to control the excess wealth generated by these • Sexism – prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination based on
public work) advancements, male dominance as asserted over women so sex;
• Women were viewed as solely capable only of reproductive only the male heir can inherit the family wealth.
affairs (world of home and related tasks: suckling the young, • Gender pay gap – men earn more than women
child rearing, home management) • Underrepresentation in politics, military, executive positions,
Historical views on GENDER
• Industrial era – gender disparity was intensified etc.;
GREEK
• Factories were built – men were preferred because they did not • Rape on women and the stigma making women ashamed to
• Aristotle, Plato, and other Greek philosophers viewed women as
have to bear children and because of their perceived strength report the crime;
inferior sex and are properties of men whose only job was to
• BUT, how did really the conceptualization of gender and obey their husbands, bear children, and take care of the
sexuality change? household. Women Empowerment
PATRIARCHY • Women are forbidden to learn philosophy, politics, and science. • Women's liberation movement, women's movement, or
• A system based on the control and oppression of women EGYPT feminism - a continuing series of social movements aiming to
wherein they are perceived to be weaker sex • Egyptian women enjoyed higher social status than Greek women challenge the patriarchal society that creates oppressive
• A structure that upholds male supremacy in the law, at home, in because they can inherit property and engage in trade political structures, beliefs, and practices against women.
the workplace, and in society. (Herodotus) • Started in different decades in different countries and in
• From the Greek word, Patriarkhes (“the rule of the father”) • However, Greek influence quickly spread in Egypt through the various waves, feminism is interwoven into women's rights,
• A social system where men primarily holds power in the political conquests of Alexander the Great across Asia and Africa. civil rights, and social justice movements.
and the private spheres
• The waves of feminism are not a linear progression and Third Wave Feminism THE STUDY OF GENDER AND SEXUALITY
consensus of progress, even though they roughly follow a • Third wave feminism emerged from the mid-1990s -
linear timeline. challenging female heteronormativity. • Social research – the process of investigating social realities
• Instead, they are intense changes of perspective among • Third wavers aimed to redefine femininity and celebrate • Research approach – the orientation on understanding social
different generations of women. differences across race, class, and sexual orientations. realities: can be qualitative (interpretive), quantitative
• While they supported feminism, they often rejected (deductive), or both
Frist Wave Feminism stereotypes of the feminine ideal and sometimes even the • Ethics in research – considerations in conducting research to
• - First wave feminism during the late 19th century - primarily term "feminism" itself. make sure that the well-being of the participants are
characterized by the women's suffrage movement and their • This movement marked a stark departure from the second ensured, and that the outcome of the study is sound without
championing of the woman's right to vote. wave, and it contributed to the development of being undue harm to people involved
• - Celebrated feminist leaders like Susan B. Anthony and intersectionality.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton. • The term "intersectionality" was coined by lawyer and Gender role or sex role
• - However, the women's suffrage movement largely excluded activist Kimberlé Crenshaw to describe how race, class, • are “sets of culturally defined behaviors such as masculinity
and discriminated against women of color, including gender, and other individual characteristics "intersect" with and femininity”
suffragettes such as Ida B. Wells, Ellen Watkins Harper, and one another and overlap. • Not fixed; vary in terms of time and country or tribe
Sojourner Truth. Fourth wave feminism • Binary system – men as masculine (matipuno/matapang);
• - White women gained the right to vote in 1920 under the • - Fourth wave feminism is a newly emerging wave that has women as feminine (mahinhin) – the NORM
19th amendment. developed over the last decade or so. • In gender studies, we are asked to disrupt and question
• - Women of color didn't have the universal right to vote until • - Characterized by action-based viral campaigns, protests, these kinds of social expectations, gender roles, and gender
45 years later with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 when all and movements such as #MeToo, which have transitioned norms.
people of color were guaranteed the right to vote. from the fringes of society to everyday news headlines.
Second Wave Feminism • - Fourth wave feminism is described as "queer, sex-positive, Gender studies
• - Second wave feminism, from roughly the 1960s to the 1990s trans-inclusive, body-positive, and digitally driven." • a field of study concerned about how reproductive roles are
- encompassed a broader range of issues, including pay • - It aims to further deconstruct gender norms and challenges interpreted and negotiated in the society through gender
equality, reproductive rights, female sexuality, and domestic systemic white male supremacy. • As an area of knowledge, is about looking into, analyzing, and
violence. • - Fourth wave feminists emphasize the importance of examining society so that we notice power relations in the
• - Similar to the first wave, many of these goals were achieved comprehensive justice, which includes addressing racial seemingly “simple things”
through legislation and significant court decisions. justice and examining issues related to class, disability, and • Helps us see the issues in our everyday lives through a
• - However, racial justice was a lesser priority than gender more. different lens
within the second wave movement, despite some attempts • It emphasizes that feminism must encompass and support • Emerged from the need to analyze how gender, sex, and
to address it. trans people, people of color, non-gender conforming sexuality impact our lives, especially how it creates gender
• - Class and race were often viewed as secondary issues, if people, people with disabilities, and all marginalized groups inequality
considered at all. to seek equality for all. • Came about in the mid 1970’s after the 2nd – wave of
• - Disparities between white women and white men feminism as a way to challenge the male-defined and male-
narrowed, but inequities between women of color and white centered knowledge
men, or even between women of color and white women, • Gender studies is not just for women or all about women, it
largely persisted. is about everyone.
• It explores how our gender roles have changed throughout 1) QUALITATIVE Ethics in Gender and Sexuality Research:
our history and how it created inequalities. Like women not 2) QUANTITATIVE • Ethical principles – making sure that people involved in the
being able to study at universities since their role was only research are protected from harm
domestic – repressed women’s potential in shaping the social QUALITATIVE approach 1. Informed consent
and political landscape in the past, but also placed the burden • Focuses more on meanings created and interpretations • Researchers should make sure that the participants in the
on the men to provide for the whole family. made by people about their own personal or vicarious study are aware of the purpose and processes of the study
(observed) experiences they are participating in.
• Used when you want to know how women, men, or LGBTQ+ • Should ensure that only those participants who agree (in
Our society has changed so much since then:
live their lives on a daily basis and how they make sense of writing) will be included, and that they shall not force any
• Jobs are available to everyone is not so much dependent on
their lived experiences participant to join
physical strength thus, accessible to women
Qualitative methods: 2. Confidentiality and anonymity
• Most mothers have a job and also provide for the family
• Phenomenology – conducting intensive interviews with • Researchers should not reveal any information provided by
• Gender studies would ask us question: “Is it still right to say
individuals who have experienced a particular event and the participants, much so, their identity to anyone who are
that the men are the providers of the family when both understanding their “lived experience” not concerned with the study.
mothers and fathers now work and earn money?” • Hermeneutics – understanding the meaning of texts • All data gathered from surveys or interviews should also be
• Gender roles are socially constructed, not ”born with”. (literary/art works) and what they convey about human placed in a secure location or filing system
Society, through a lifelong process of normalization, realities 3. Non-maleficence and beneficence
encourages or reprimands behaviors to make a child adapt to • Ethnography and ethnomethodology – immersing in a • A study should do no harm (non-maleficence) to anyone.
these social expectations community and taking note of their experiences, beliefs, • Especially in researches involving humans, a study should
• Examples: attitudes, & practices be beneficial (beneficence) for it to be worth implementing
• Boys are encouraged to be brave, to play rough, to be loud 4. Distributive justice
and not to show signs of weakness like crying QUANTITATIVE approach • Any study should not disadvantage a particular group,
• Girls are discouraged from playing rough and being loud, but • Focuses more on characterizing a population (total number especially the marginalized and oppressed (e.g. poor,
gentle and soft of individuals in a group) or a sample ( a sub-group within women, LGBTQ+, elderly).
• Otherwise, they are reprimanded the population), making generalizations about the • The benefits of the study should be for all.
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people often do not population based on the behavior of the sample
fit in the traditional binary gender roles so they are often • Used when you want to know how many Filipino
adolescents engaged into a romantic relationship, how
reprimanded, bullied and discriminated
many still believe in marriage
• LGBTs are often subjected to violence and hate just because
Quantitative methods:
they do not fit in what society calls “normal”
• Survey – collecting information from a sample
Gender studies lets us analyze the creation and maintenance of
• Experiment – creating actual set-ups to observe behavior of
these gender norms so that it does not create inequalities in our
people in an experimental group (receives treatment like
social, political, and economic spheres. training or new experience) and comparing it to the
behavior of people in control group (without any
Gender Studies (GS) and Research treatment)
• GS utilizes a systematic approach in identifying problems, MIXED METHODS – combining qualitative and quantitative methods
making hypotheses and assumptions, gathering data, and to derive data form multiple sources.
making conclusions – research process
• Approaches in Research:
 BIOMEDICAL PERSPECTIVE ON GENDER AND SEXUALITY • Mons pubis - located over the pubic bone and the pubic end of pregnancy and after childbirth in response to hormone
Topic: Anatomy and Physiology of Reproduction symphysis joint. It also contains glands that begin secreting levels.
pheromones. These are substances involved in sexual More female characteristics:
Definition of terms: attraction. • Generally shorter than men;
• Human reproductive system - organ system by which humans • Greater proportion of body weight composed of fat than
reproduce and bear live offspring. men;
Reproduction – process of producing offspring. • Two X chromosomes reduces expression of many sex-linked
• Genitals – external sex organs conditions;
• Primary sex characteristics – sex characteristics that are • Lower mortality rate at every age and longer projected
present at birth. lifespan than men.
• Secondary sex characteristics – sex characteristics that B. The female internal reproductive structures:
emerge during puberty. • Vagina – collapsible canal extending from vaginal opening
• Gonads – reproductive organs of human. back and upward into body to cervix and uterus.
• Puberty - is a phase of rapid growth, at the end of which the • Cervix – small end of uterus to which vagina leads. It is the
body reaches reproductive maturity. opening in cervix leading to leading to interior of uterus;
• Uterus – womb, organ within pelvic zone where fetus is
Each person has a pair of gonads: ovaries are female carried;
gonads; testes are the male gonads. The gonads produce • Fallopian tubes – carry egg cells from ovaries to uterus, this
germ cells and sex hormones. The female germ cells are ova is where fertilization occurs; and
(egg) and the male germ cells are sperm. • Ovaries – produce estrogen and progesterone.

THE BIOLOGICAL MALE

THE BIOLOGICAL FEMALE The male sexual anatomy is designed for the production
The female sexual anatomy is designed for the and delivery of sperm for fertilization of the female’s ovum.
production and fertilization of ovum, as well as carrying delivering Puberty signals the final development of primary and
infant offspring. Puberty signals the final development of primary accessory organs that support reproduction.
and accessory organs that support reproduction.
A. The male external genitalia consist of the following
A. The female external genitalia consists of the following:
Puberty structures:
• Labia majora – outer lips surrounding all the other structure. • Prepuce – foreskin covering head of penis, removed in male
• The menstrual cycle marks the beginning of puberty in
• Prepuce – clitoral hood (foreskin above and covering clitoris); circumcision;
females. The first episode occurs between 11 to 15 years of
• Clitoris – glans (head), shaft, and crura (root), sensitive to • Penis glans (head), shaft, and root.
age referred to as menarche.
stimulation; • Corona – rim of glans where it arises from shaft;
• Labia minora – inner lips surrounding the vestibule where • Frenulum – thin strip of skin connecting glans and shaft on
Female secondary sexual characteristics emerge after puberty:
sweat and oil glands, extensive blood vessels, and nerve underside of penis;
• widening of hips and pelvis – accommodates giving birth, but
endings are located; • Scrotum – sac that encloses the two compartments housing
also results in downward shift in center of gravity.
• Urethral opening – end of tube connecting to bladder and the testes;
• enlargement of breasts – the glandular tissue of the breasts
used for urination; • Urethral opening – found on head of penis and used for
responds to sex hormones. It also produces milk toward the
• Vaginal opening – also called introitus; urination and semen delivery by which male ejaculates;
• Perineum – area of skin separating the genitalia from the TOPIC: FUNCTIONS OF REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM AND days from a ball of cells floating in the uterus, marking the
anus. CONSEQUENCES OF RISKY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR official start of pregnancy.
• - A normal pregnancy lasts 32-42 weeks (nine months),
Definition of terms:
B. The male internal reproductive organs: measured from the first day of the last period.
• Ovulation – the process when a mature ovum is released
• Testes – produce androgen, particularly large quantities of • - After eight weeks, the embryo is officially referred to as a
from the ovary and travels to the fallopian tube for possible
testosterone; also produce sperm cells in unlimited quantity fetus.
fertilization.
over the entire course of lifespan.
Fertilization – union of the sperm and the ovum.
• Testicle - they are two oval-shaped organs located inside the What can be done to prevent teenage pregnancy?
• Pregnancy – the process when an offspring develops within
scrotum. It produce testosterone and make sperm. • Equipping the youth with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes
the mother’s womb.
• Vas deferens – travels from necessary to protect themselves against unwanted
testicle toward urethra pregnancy and providing them access to reproductive
How does one ovulate?
carrying sperm; healthcare are essential measures to prevent teenage
• Seminal vesicles – two glands • - Ovulation is a major landmark of puberty among females pregnancy.
that produce alkaline fluid and is linked to the onset of the menstrual cycle. • Health effects of early pregnancy in adolescents include:
rich in fructose sugar, • - The menstrual cycle, which leads to menstruation (loss of • Obstructed labor may occur when a woman is under 20, as
comprising some 70% of blood and tissues lining the uterus) in the absence of the pelvic area (the bone surrounding the birth canal) may
semen volume. pregnancy, typically lasts around 28 days on average but can not be large enough to allow the baby to easily pass through.
• Prostate – gland producing alkaline that account for about vary from 21 to 40 days. • - The uterus may tear during the birth process if the young
30% of semen volume. • - Ovulation occurs about 10-16 days before the start of the woman is not physically mature.
• Urethra – tube within penis that carries sperm and semen the next period. • - Other complications may include:
rest of the way to the opening of the penis. How does pregnancy occur? • - Excessive vomiting
More Male Characteristics: • - Severe anemia
• - Pregnancy occurs when a sperm meets an egg, and it
• - Hypertension
• Generally taller and greater proportion of body weight officially starts when a fertilized egg implants in the lining of
• - Convulsions
composed of water; the uterus.
• - Difficulty in breastfeeding
• Proportionately larger heart and lungs, presumably to handle • - Pregnancy typically begins 2-3 weeks after sexual
• - Premature and low birth weight babies
greater blood fluid volume; intercourse.
• - Infection
• Exposure to greater levels of testosterone resulting in heavier • - Conception is the process that starts with fertilization of an
• - Prolonged labor
body and facial hair, but also increased frequency and degree egg by sperm and ends with implantation.
• - High maternal mortality or death.
of baldness; • - During ejaculation, sperm are released via the penis into the
• Single X chromosome resulting in sex-linked conditions such vagina, then swim through the female's cervix, into the
as colorblindness and hemophilia. womb, and finally, into the fallopian tubes.
Male secondary sexual characteristics that emerge after • - After the egg is released into the fallopian tube, hundreds
puberty: of sperm swim up to reach it.
• - Fertilization occurs when a sperm penetrates the egg in the
• No monthly cycle fallopian tube, leading to the formation of an embryo.
• Elongation of vocal cords (lower voice) • - Once the embryo attaches to the inner lining of the uterus
• Broader shoulders (endothelium), a fetus begins to develop within five to seven
• Deeper chest cavity
 behaviors including smoking, drinking alcohol, drug use, TOPIC: INTERSEX
sexual intimacy, and violence.
• The Department of Health, in its Adolescent and Youth Health Definition of terms:
Policy (2000), has identified the following health risks: • Intersex – refers to individuals born with any of several sex
substance use, premarital sex, early childbearing, abortion, characteristics including chromosome patterns, gonads, or
HIV/AIDS, violence, accidents, malnutrition, and mental genitals.
health. • Nondisjunction – the failure of one or more pairs of
TROUBLE SIGN among TEENS: homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate
normally during nuclear division, usually resulting in an
• Sexual promiscuity;
abnormal distribution of chromosomes in the daughter
• Regular use of drugs and alcohol;
nuclei.
• Repeated violation of the law or school regulation;
Most embryos are consistent on the five biological definitions of
• Running away more than once in three months;
sex, namely, chromosomes, gonads, hormones, internal and
• Skipping school more than once in three months;
external reproductive structures. However, this is not always the
• Aggressive outburst/impulsiveness
case. In around 23/10,000 births, these five definitions of sex are
• Dark drawings or writings;
not consistent, resulting in what is referred to as an intersexed
• Deterioration in hygiene;
birth.
• Oppositional behavior;
Intersex people are individuals born with any of several
• Refusal to work/non-compliance;
sex characteristics including chromosome patterns, gonads, or
• Chronic lateness;
genitals that, according to the Office of the United Nations High
• Falling asleep in class;
Commissioner for Human Rights, "do not fit typical binary notions
• Changes in physical appearance; and
of male or female bodies".
• Excessive daydreaming.

CHROMOSOMAL INCONSISTENCIES
Identified Sexual Risks that were found among the growing
• The variations in sex chromosomes typically received from
Filipino adolescents are as follows:
parents account for a large portion of intersex births.
• The father typically donates either an X or Y chromosome,
while the mother typically contributes an X chromosome.
• Many intersex individuals have chromosomal combinations
other than XY (normally associated with males) or XX
• Risk-taking is a normal part of adolescent development. It is (typically associated with females).
defined as participation in potentially health compromising • These variations in internal sex organs, external genitalia, and
activities with little understanding of, or in spite of an sex hormones (including testosterone and estrogen) can
understanding of, the possible negative consequences. result from these combinations.
• Adolescents experiment with new behaviors as they explore
their emerging identity and independence. During this
period, adolescents may begin to explore alternative health
Types of Chromosomal Inconsistencies: Triple X Syndrome (XXX or Trisomy X) • Symptoms do not appear until puberty
• People born with this chromosomal characteristic are • Absent menses
Turner’s Syndrome (X)
anatomically females and show few visible signs of • External genitalia are normal
• If the sperm fails to divide properly, that is, if what is called
abnormality, although they tend to be taller than XX females • Vaginal depth is short
nondisjunction occurs, one kind of sperm produced will have
and have a slightly higher incidence of learning disorders. This • Not ovaries – atrophic testes
neither an X nor a Y chromosome. If this sperm fertilizes a
too occurs roughly in 1/2,000 live births. These individuals • Slightly longer limbs and larger hands and feet, minimal or no
normal egg, the offspring will have only an X chromosome.
has usually delayed motor development and speech. Their IQ acne, larger teeth, well developed breast.
• The person appears to be a female because although it lacks
level is low. Other children are also reported to have ADHD • Greater incidence of melbomian gland dysfunction (dry eye
ovaries, it possesses some external female characteristics.
conditions. syndromes and light sensitivity.)
This condition is estimated to occur in about 4/10,000 live
Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS) - (Hormonal
births (Fausto-Sterling, 2000: 53).
HORMONAL INCONSISTENCY TYPES Inconsistency Types)
• - Another effect caused by intersex is hormonal • Fetuses that are chromosomally male with genitals that are
Klinefelter’s Syndrome (XXy syndrome)
inconsistencies. ambiguous or that look more like a clitoris than a penis.
• Another case of nondisjunction is a sperm produced with
• - Hormones released throughout the body depend on various • It cannot be treated by administering androgen after birth
both an X and a Y chromosome, or two Y chromosomes,
signaling pathways, responsible for consistent activities because the cells remain incapable of responding to
resulting in the XXY chromosome abnormalities.
unless fluctuations occur. androgen. At puberty, AIS persons develop breasts and a
• It typically occurs in roughly 9/10,000 live births. Individuals
• - Abnormal activities of hormones can lead to many feminine body shape, and identify as females.
with this type of conditions are reported to have no interest
disorders. • Results in female genitals, including a shallow, but
in sex due to their lower level of testosterone, and the
• - Hormonal imbalances occur when a hormone is present in nonfunctional vagina
presence of extra X stops development of male structures,
the blood in excess or insufficient amounts. • Raised as girls, they assume a female gender identity and
resulting in sterility.
• - Typical signs of these inconsistencies include changes in thrive as females
• Moreover, a person born with this chromosomal
weight, a decrease in sex drive, and acne. Fetally Androgenized Females
characteristic has the height of a normal male, with long legs,
• - The following conditions result from hormonal • Chromosomally normal females exposed to excessive
an absent or weak sex drive, “feminized” hips, some breast
inconsistencies. androgens
development, and a small penis and testes (Money and
• At birth genitals appear to be male
Ehrhardt, 1972).
Adrenogenital syndrome (AGS) or Congenital adrenal • “Corrected” by minor surgery, most still reject a female
hyperplasia (CAH) gender identity with some assuming a male gender identity
Jacob’s syndrome (XYY syndrome)
• An XX fetus receives an excessive amount of androgens and behavior
• A person born with this chromosomal characteristic is an
• Untreated females with AGS have normally functioning DHT-Lacking Males
anatomical male with no physical abnormalities, except for
ovaries and normal internal female sexual organs but a • Males who cannot produce crucial DHT
unusual height. The extra Y chromosome does not result in
masculinized external appearance. • Dihydrotestosterone, a hormone with powerful androgenic
the person’s having more androgens than an XY male. Such
• This can vary from a slightly enlarged clitoris to a nearly actions, causes the body to mature during puberty and is
persons appear to be able to reproduce successfully and
normal-size penis with an empty scrotum. responsible for many of the physical characteristics
rarely come to the attention of investigators, except through
• If treated with cortisol from birth on, these females will have associated with adult males.
large-scale screening of newborns. Persons with this
a later menarche than normal but will be able to conceive, • Result – female appearing external genitals, at least initially
conditions are usually taller than normal males, has speech
lactate, and deliver babies normally. • Typically raised as girls, they suddenly sprout into males at
problems, weaker muscles or hypotonic, delayed puberty,
• Androgen Insensitivity or testicular feminization puberty
aggressive, but they have normal appearance.
• Phenotypically female
• In one study, 16 of 18 cast off their female gender identity institutions including the structures and functions of these
and happily assumed male sex roles CHAPTER 3: PSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVE OF GENDER & institutions, and the dynamics of human relationships within
Hirsutism SEXUALITY them.
• The growth of coarse, dark hair in areas where women
typically grow fine hair or no hair at all: above the lip and on 3.1 PSYCHOSOCIAL DIMENSION OF HUMAN SENSES AND SELF-AWARENESS
the chin, chest, abdomen, and back. SEXUAL BEHAVIOR • - conscious understanding of something
• caused by an increased level of male hormones (androgens) In the context of gender and sexuality, we ask:
• Although all women produce androgens, increased levels of REPRODUCTIVE ROLE ▪ What am I physiologically?
androgens can lead to hirsutism. • Social script ascribed to individuals performing to their role in ▪ What is my gender?
Primary vs. secondary sex characteristics childbearing or child-rearing and related tasks such as ▪ What is my sexual orientation?
maintaining the household ▪ How am I expressing my gender?
• Primary Sex Characteristics: sexual organs that are present at
PRODUCTIVE ROLE ▪ How do I feel about my sexuality
birth.
• Social script ascribed to individuals pertaining to their role in ▪ Am I happy with what I am?
• Secondary Sex Characteristics: changes that emerge during
economic production and related tasks such as engaging in OTHER-AWARENESS
puberty.
public affairs and living in the world of work. • understanding others
• caused by hormones released at the time of
WHAT DOES PSYCHOSOCIAL MEAN? In the context of gender and sexuality, we ask:
puberty, which usually is around two years earlier in
▪ What is he/she physiologically?
girls than in boys. PSYCHOLOGICAL
▪ What is his/her preferences?
• visible secondary sex characteristics include pubic • Anything associated with mental process and behaviors.
▪ How is he/she different from me?
hair, enlarged breasts and widened hips of females, SOCIAL
▪ How is he/she similar from me?
and facial hair and Adam's apple on males. • Associated with human relationships, connections, and
▪ What is his/her motivations and aspirations
interactions.
INTIMACY & RELATIONSHIP
NATURE VS. NURTURE PSYCHOLOGY
HUMAN RELATIONSHIP
• The nature versus nurture debate involves the extent to • These domains means that in studying gender and sexuality,
• A bond formed between two/more people, manifested
which particular aspects of behavior are a product of it is important to look into the way people think (cognition),
through communications and interactions
either inherited (i.e., genetic) or acquired (i.e., learned) feel (affect), and behave (behavior) since these are linked to
INTIMACY
influences. one another.
• Process of knowing others and allowing others to know us.
• Nature is what we think of as pre-wiring and is 3 PRIMARY PSYCHOLOGICAL DOMAINS
SOCIALIZATION
influenced by genetic inheritance and other biological COGNITION
• The process by which we learn cultural norms and traditions.
factors. • people’s thought processes such as memory, perception, and
WELL-BEING AS A PSYCHOSOCIAL GOAL
• Nurture is generally taken as the influence of external information processing
factors after conception, e.g., the product of exposure, • A state of satisfaction, meaning, and purpose.
BEHAVIOR
life experiences and learning on an individual. • people’s observable or not readily observable actions
OBJECTIVE WELL-BEING
AFFECT
• Observed, outward, and can be evaluated through the
• emotions and feelings
presence/absence of particular elements in our
SOCIOLOGY
environment.
• Field of science which concerns itself with the human • Does the physical environment allow expression of diversity?
person’s realities and experiences as part of groups and
• Are health care systems and services responsive to the needs • this part comprises much of the Limbic System, the part of
of people with different sexes, genders, etc.? the body responsible of managing our emotions, including
• Are there services and policies in place to mitigate abuse and sexual behavior.
different forms of violence related to gender and sexuality? Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)
SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING
• A group of genes that code for proteins that help the immune
• Personal experience of satisfaction, meaning, and purpose. system recognize foreign substances.
• It is because of these genes that we feel attracted to another
LESSON 10: SEX AND SENSES person’s signature odor.
• Example:
SENSORIUM Sweaty T-shirt Experiment
The totality of our sensory experiences and perception. OLFACTORY EXPERIENCE
HUMAN AFFECT AND THE SENSES
• Heterosexual females tend to like wearing floral sweet scents
Our affect (emotions and feelings) actually play a major role in our
but want musky-spicy scent to be worn by their partners.
behavior.
• Heterosexual males and homosexual females preferred
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT SENSORY EXPERIENCES RELATED TO
wearing musky-spicy scent and liked their partners to wear
SEXUALITY?
floral-sweet scent.
VISUAL EXPERIENCE
• Homosexual males wanted musky-spicy for themselves and
• Overall, both men and women value physical attractiveness
their partner
and this is true across many different cultures.
TACTILE EXPERIENCE
• However, there are some studies that have explored gender
• Touch is an element of intimacy and holds meaning.
differences in visual stimuli and sexual arousal.
ELEMENTS OF TOUCH
• The study of Rupp & Wallen found that when confronted by
• TACTILE
an intimate interaction, men would tend to be rather
• THERMAL
influenced by visual cues. On the other hand, women were
• VIBRATIONAL
found to be more influenced by the context.
TACTILE EXPERIENCES
❑ Primary Erogenous Zone
Scientists have tried to explain how human olfaction
– mouth, anus, genitals, & nipples
influence sexuality. Our noses are the best compass to find a
❑ Secondary Erogenous Zone
suitable partner because of two reasons:
– back, cheek, neck, and buttocks
OXYTOXIN: THE LOVE HORMONE
Pheromones
• is believed to influence tribal behavior and maternal bonding.
• Chemical molecules released in humans, insects, and animals
AUDITORY EXPERIENCE
that trigger a response to or elicit specific behavioral
• In sexual interactions, couples may give verbal erotic
expressions or hormonal changes from the opposite sex, the
encouraging-words that trigger sexual response or verbal
same sex, or both sexes of the same species.
expression of affection.
Hypothalamus
• “I love you” I miss you” “You smell good”
• the part of the brain that interprets these chemical
•
messages.