Gender Studies & Intersectionality – Lecture Review

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering core terms, theories, laws, and research findings from the lecture on gender studies and intersectionality.

Why is Feminist Theory important in the analysis of gender inequality?

Provides analytical frameworks to understand and challenge systemic gender inequalities.

Why do scholars argue that gender is a social construct? 

View that roles and expectations tied to gender are created by society and vary across cultures and time.

Intersectionality

Framework (coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw) showing how overlapping identities—race, class, gender, etc.—shape unique experiences of privilege or oppression.

Gender Binary

Classification of gender into only male or female, excluding non-binary, transgender, and gender-nonconforming identities.

Queer Theory

Academic approach that questions fixed categories of sexuality and gender, encouraging diverse expressions beyond the binary.

Men’s Studies

Sub-field exploring how social constructions of masculinity affect men’s identities and power dynamics.

Gender Performativity

Judith Butler’s idea that gender is enacted through repeated behaviors rather than fixed at birth.

Postcolonial Feminism

Perspective examining how colonial histories continue to shape contemporary gender relations, especially in formerly colonized nations like the Philippines.

Masculinity

Socially constructed set of attributes, behaviors, and roles associated with boys and men.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

Any harm or suffering directed at individuals on the basis of their gender identity or biological sex.

Gender Expression

Outward presentation of gender through clothing, speech, and behavior (e.g., wearing makeup and skirts).

Transgender

Person whose gender identity differs from the sex assigned at birth.

SOGIE Equality Bill

Proposed Philippine law protecting individuals against discrimination based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression.

Medicalization of Intersex Individuals

Practice of performing surgeries or treatments on intersex bodies—often in infancy—without informed consent to fit binary norms.

Queer (Umbrella Term)

Broad label for sexual orientations and gender identities that do not conform to heterosexual or cisgender norms.

Non-Binary

Gender identity of individuals who do not identify exclusively as male or female and may prefer neutral pronouns such as “they.”

Pansexual

Sexual orientation characterized by attraction to people regardless of gender.

Gender Identity

Internal sense of being male, female, both, neither, or somewhere in between.

Occupational Segregation

Tendency for men and women to be concentrated in different types of jobs.

Glass Ceiling

Invisible barriers that keep women and minorities from advancing to leadership positions despite qualifications.

Gender Pay Gap

Disparity in earnings between men and women performing comparable work.

Gender Norms

Informal social expectations that prescribe behaviors deemed appropriate for each gender.

Women in Development & Nation-Building Act (RA 7192)

Philippine law aimed at enhancing women’s participation in all sectors of the economy.

Work-Life Balance

Equilibrium of personal and family responsibilities with professional duties.

Matrix of Domination

Patricia Hill Collins’ concept describing intersecting systems of power based on race, class, and gender.

Colorism

Discrimination or prejudice based on skin tone, often favoring lighter complexions.

Ecofeminism (Rina Garcia Chua)

Approach linking environmental justice with feminist and indigenous perspectives.

Gender Socialization

Process through which individuals learn societal gender norms via parents, peers, schools, media, and religion.

Parental Influence on Gender (Kane, 2006)

Research showing parents often discourage boys from activities labeled as feminine, reinforcing stereotypes.

Gender Socialization Strength (Eagly & Wood, 1999)

Finding that clear gender expectations can create social order, although they may also limit individual freedom.

Media Challenge to Norms (Gill, 2016)

Study indicating that diverse gender portrayals in media increase visibility of alternative expressions.

Peer-Enforced Masculinity (Pascoe, 2007)

Rigid masculine norms among adolescent boys that can lead to bullying of non-conforming peers.

Gender-Neutral Play (Blakemore & Centers, 2005)

Research suggesting that removing gender labels from toys encourages inclusive play behavior.

Classroom Gender Bias (Sadker & Sadker, 1994)

Teachers often give more attention to boys, allowing them to dominate discussions and activities.

Fathers’ Caregiving Roles (Milkie et al., 2002)

Increased paternal involvement offers opportunities to reduce home-based gender disparities.

DeGraffenreid v. General Motors

Court case Crenshaw used to show limits of discrimination law in addressing intersecting race-and-gender claims.

Jennifer Laude Case

Murder of a Filipina trans woman illustrating intersections of race, gender identity, class, and neocolonial power.

Machismo

Cultural ideal of exaggerated masculinity that can justify male dominance and domestic violence.

Emotional/Psychological Abuse

Form of domestic violence primarily harming a victim’s mental health through manipulation and intimidation.

Economic Abuse

Controlling a victim’s access to financial resources to maintain power in abusive relationships.

CEDAW

UN Convention providing a comprehensive framework to eliminate discrimination against women globally.

GABRIELA

Philippine women’s advocacy network that raises awareness, pushes legal reform, and supports GBV victims.

Gender-Sensitive Workplace Policies

Hiring, promotion, and anti-discrimination measures designed to reduce gender pay gaps and bias.

Hostile Work Environment

Situation created by sexual harassment that lowers job satisfaction, increases turnover, and harms mental health.

Medicalization

Process of framing non-medical conditions or variations (e.g., intersex traits) as medical problems requiring treatment.

Gender-Based Workplace Discrimination

Unfair treatment in employment contexts tied to an employee’s gender or SOGIE.

Kimberlé Crenshaw

Legal scholar who introduced intersectionality to highlight how multiple identities shape discrimination.

Patricia Hill Collins

Sociologist who developed the Matrix of Domination to analyze intersecting power structures.

Queer (Academic Usage)

Critical stance challenging normative ideas on sexuality and gender; central to Queer Theory.

Sexual Orientation

Enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to others.

Gender-Based Violence in Rural Philippines

LGBTQ+ individuals face heightened discrimination due to poverty and lack of protective mechanisms.