Gender and Family & Gender and Academe Notes

Gender and The Family

Gender as a Social Institution

  • Gender roles are shaped by institutions like family, school, church, and media.
  • Society assigns roles based on gender, such as men as leaders and women as caregivers.

Nature of Family

  • Family is a universal institution found in every society.
  • It serves as an emotional foundation.
  • Provides care and social control.
  • Family roles are gendered from a young age.

Theoretical Perspectives

  • Functionalist Perspective: Family exists to maintain order; gender roles are considered natural (e.g., father as provider, mother as nurturer).
  • Marxist Perspective: Family supports capitalism by assigning unpaid domestic work to women.
  • Feminist Perspective: Family structure benefits men, often leading to the exploitation of women.

Gender Roles in The Family

  • Society expects specific behaviors based on gender:
    • Fathers: Providers, responsible for manual tasks.
    • Mothers: Financial managers, providers of emotional care.
    • Children: Roles are assigned based on age and gender.

Gender Stereotypes in The Family

  • Cultural norms reinforce stereotypes (e.g., girls should be nurturing, boys should be tough).
  • These ideas are reinforced through toys, chores, TV, and clothing.

Gender Inequality

  • In patriarchal societies like the Philippines:
    • Fathers often have more decision-making power.
    • Mothers do more caregiving and emotional labor.

GAD Mainstreaming in The Filipino Family

  • Gender and Development (GAD) efforts aim to create gender-fair family environments.
  • Example: Reproductive Health (RH) Law (2012) and budget support for GAD initiatives.

Modern Changes in Gender Roles

  • Gender roles are evolving:
    • Both parents often work.
    • Parenting and decision-making are increasingly shared.
    • Families are becoming more egalitarian.

Challenges of The Gendered Filipino Family

  • Key issues include:
    • Media influence
    • Economic pressures
    • Materialism
    • Migration and separation
    • Ongoing debates on divorce and LGBTQ+ inclusion

Gender and The Academe

Socialization in Schools

  • Schools play a significant role in shaping a child’s gender identity.
  • Schools teach norms and behaviors expected of boys and girls, reinforcing societal expectations.

Violence in Educational Settings

  • Violence includes bullying, harassment, and cyber abuse, often rooted in gender norms.
  • Example: Bullying someone perceived as gay or not conforming to typical gender roles.
  • The Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 in the Philippines includes provisions for gender-based bullying.

Gender-Sensitive Education

  • Education must be inclusive and safe for all genders.
  • Includes proper sanitation for all genders, teacher training, and fair, unbiased learning materials.

Role of Textbooks and Curriculum

  • Textbooks often reflect societal biases, promoting stereotypes (e.g., men as leaders, women as homemakers) if not critically reviewed.
  • International bodies like CEDAW encourage reviewing learning materials to eliminate harmful stereotypes.

Teachers and Gender Bias

  • Teachers may unconsciously favor one gender, reinforcing stereotypes (e.g., expecting boys to be loud and girls to be quiet).

Peers as Influencers

  • Students reinforce stereotypes by mocking or pressuring others to conform to “gender norms.”

GAD in Higher Education (CHED Guidelines)

  • CHED Memo No. 01 (2015) promotes gender equality through curriculum, research, and campus programs.

Case Example: Cavite State University (CvSU)

  • Actively promotes GAD since the 1980s.
  • Recognized multiple times for its gender-friendly initiatives.