Gender and Society – Prelim Period Key Vocabulary

50 vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the preliminary lecture notes on Gender and Society.

Gender and Society (course)

A multidisciplinary subject examining gender—especially women’s issues—and the necessity of women’s liberation for a just, humane society.

Women’s Liberation

The social, political, and economic movement aimed at freeing women from discrimination and achieving full equality with men.

Stereotype

A widely held but oversimplified belief about a group of people that may or may not reflect reality.

Prejudice

An unfavorable, preconceived attitude toward a person or group based solely on their membership in that group.

Discrimination

Unfair treatment of individuals because of characteristics such as age, gender, race, disability, religion, etc.

Glass Ceiling

Invisible barriers based on attitudes or biases that prevent women from reaching top positions in organizations.

Systematic Violence

Organized, purposeful violence supported by powerful groups, parties, or governments to control or harm others.

Sex (biological)

A category based on reproductive functions; males produce sperm, females produce eggs and bear offspring.

Chromosome XX

The chromosomal pairing that typically determines female biological sex.

Chromosome XY

The chromosomal pairing that typically determines male biological sex.

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Physical traits influenced by hormones (e.g., body hair, voice pitch) that develop at puberty and differentiate males and females.

Hormonal Imbalance

Atypical levels of hormones (e.g., excess testosterone in females) that can modify secondary sex traits.

Gender

A socially learned construct that assigns roles, behaviors, and expectations to people perceived as male or female.

Gender Role Socialization

The process of learning culturally approved ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving according to one’s perceived gender.

External Regulation

Societal institutions dictating what is proper for each gender through norms, rules, and sanctions.

Internal Regulation

Self-policing of one’s behavior to conform to gender norms, often leading to policing others as well.

Sex Stereotypes

Generalized views about physical or emotional traits men and women should have, unrelated to real roles.

Sexual Stereotypes

Assumptions about sexuality (e.g., all men are sexually dominant; everyone is heterosexual).

Sex-Role Stereotypes

Beliefs about the specific duties or behaviors men and women must perform because of their sex.

Compounded Stereotypes

Layered assumptions about subgroups within a gender (e.g., young mothers, elderly men).

SOGIE

Acronym for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression—an inclusive framework for discussing sexuality and gender.

Sexual Orientation

An individual’s pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to others (e.g., heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual).

Gender Identity

One’s deeply felt sense of being male, female, a blend, or neither, independent of biological sex.

Gender Expression

The external presentation of one’s gender through clothing, behavior, voice, or hairstyle.

Heteronormativity

The belief that heterosexual attraction is the default or norm, marginalizing other orientations.

LGBTQIA

Collective initialism for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual communities.

Cisgender

A person whose gender identity aligns with the sex assigned at birth.

Transgender

Umbrella term for individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth.

Lesbian

A woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to other women.

Gay

A man who is romantically or sexually attracted to other men (also sometimes used broadly for homosexual people).

Bisexual

A person attracted to more than one gender, typically both men and women.

Intersex

A person born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t fit typical definitions of male or female.

Asexual

An individual who experiences little or no sexual attraction to any gender.

Pansexual

A person attracted to individuals of all gender identities.

Demisexual

Someone who experiences sexual attraction only after forming a strong emotional bond.

Sexism

Prejudice or discrimination based on a person’s sex, often manifesting in patriarchal societies.

Gender Equality

The condition in which all genders enjoy equal rights, responsibilities, opportunities, and decision-making power.

Patriarchy

A social system where men hold primary power in roles of leadership, moral authority, and control of property.

Reproductive Sphere

The household domain where childbearing and caregiving duties are traditionally assigned to women.

Gender Pay Gap

The persistent difference in average earnings between women and men in the workforce.

Article II, Section 13 (1987 PH Constitution)

Provision declaring women vital to nation-building and mandating their inclusion in all societal processes.

Missing Women

Statistical shortfall of women in a population due to sex-selective abortion, neglect, or inferior healthcare.

Culture

A system of shared symbols, meanings, and practices learned and passed through generations to guide behavior.

Instinct

Innate, biologically driven impulses or capacities present in humans and animals (e.g., fight-or-flight).

Microaggression

Everyday subtle slights or insults that convey derogatory messages toward marginalized groups, including women.

Cultural Change

The adaptation or replacement of cultural meanings and practices when they no longer serve human flourishing.

Critical Reflection

Thoughtful examination of cultural norms to identify and challenge unjust structures, especially those harming women.

Glass Ceiling (Philippine context)

Attitudes or beliefs in Filipino workplaces that limit women’s advancement to top leadership roles.

Systematic Violence (Philippine context)

Organized gender-based crimes or abuses supported by influential groups within the country.

Gender Discrimination Areas (UK Equality Act model)

Protected characteristics frequently linked to bias: age, gender, race, disability, religion, pregnancy, orientation, reassignment, marriage/civil partnership.