TORCULAS

TORCULAS, HANNAH CARIJUTAN
BSED VALUES 1A
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
LESSON 2: Gender and Sexual Orientation
Gender
Gender is a term that used to describe the characteristics, whether biologically or

socially influenced, that people use to define males and females (Myres & Twenge,
2017). It is shaped by cultural expectations and social roles that affect people’s self-
concept, behaviors and aspirations (Rathus, 2014). We basically learn about our gender
and to act accordingly, that is based on our gender roles, through a lifelong socialization
process. Even before we’re born, a name as chosen for us usually based on our
gender. Then we grew up exposed to gender-specific activities and are encourage and
rewarded for what are considered as gender appropriate roles and behaviors. For
instance, women have always expected to perform housework and childcare, while men
are responsible for the household repair. Women dominate in teaching and nursing
while men, in the world of engineering and mining. Certainly, there have been changes
in the gender roles overtime but there are cultural expectations and gender stereotypes
that remain deeply ingrained in society.
The awareness of one’s gender identity usually starts with self-categorization

that influences individuals to engage in gender-typed behaviors (Keener, 2015). In
Bem’s (1981) gender schema theory, our identification as man or woman affects our
development, because it directs what we pay attention to and process. Gender is
traditionally understood based on binary categories; male/masculine and
female/feminine. Typically, girls and boys grow up to be more inclined to notice and to
engage in behaviors that are expected of their gender. However, there are people who
cannot identify with either of these binary categorizations and who find their interests
and inclinations to be also non-typical. The table below is the different terminologies
complied by Keener (2015).
Table 1: Gender Identity Terminologies
CISGENDER Is male or female that identifies with the

sex that was assigned at birth. Cisgender
people also identify, to some degree, with
the gender norms (excluding sexual
orientation) that are associated with their
sex.
GENDERQUEER Is used to describe a gender identify

when the binary conceptualization of
gender, male or female, does not
accurately describe an individual’s
gendered outlook our self-concept.
INTERSEX Describes a variety of medical conditions

wherein an individual’s reproductive
anatomy or genitals do not fit the binary
definition of male or female.
TRANSGENDERMAN/ FEMALE TO Is a man whose sex is female, but he

MAN (FtM) lives and identifies as male
TRANSGENDER WOMEN/ MALE TO Is a woman whose sex is male, but she

FEMALE (MtF) lives and identifies a female.
Gender expression or the manner by which people express themselves and
behave may be true to their gender identity such as when they convey their sense of
femininity or masculinity outwardly. This may occur naturally for the majority, that their
actions are effortless. However, there are some people whose gender expression does
not match their gender identity and who are more comfortable dressing up and
presenting themselves as an opposite sex. We are familiar with cases where a woman
is comfortable presenting herself in masculine ways such as wearing a man’s clothing,
or a man is acting in feminine ways such as being fussy with house decors. However,
there are those who undergo transexual surgery but who still keep their original gender
identity and even their sexual orientation. Celebrities like Caitlyn Jenner and Angie King
are biologically male but became transwomen and they remained to be heterosexual in
sexual orientation.
Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation refers to the stable pattern of attraction or sexual interest that
one has to a member of a particular sex. It can also mean the complete absence of any
sexual interests. Sexual orientation should not be mistaken as sexual behavior because
they are not necessarily the same. For instance, there are some people who engage in
same-sex behavior and fantasy but maintain a strong heterosexual orientation (Freberg,
2010).
Majority of the people have heterosexual orientation, that is their sexual interest
is towards people of the opposite sex. Others have homosexual orientation in which
their sexual and romantic interests are with same sex individuals and they are either
gay or lesbian. There are others whose orientations do not fall from the aforementioned
categories. Table 2 is the list of the different sexual orientation of people (Keener,
2015).
Table 2: Sexual Orientation Terminologies

ASEXUAL Refers to the absence of physical or
sexual attraction to another human being.
An asexual man or woman can have
romantic, intellectual or emotional
attractions to other people, but they do
not engage physical sexual acts.
BISEXUAL The sexual orientation that describes

either male or female who is attracted to
both males and females.
GAY Depending on the context, gay can refer

to either gay males and/or lesbians. Gay
males are self-identification men who are
emotionally, physically, romantically
and/or sexually attracted to people who
identify.
LESBIAN A self-identified female who is

emotionally, physically, romantically
and/or sexually attracted to other people
who identify as female.
HETEROSEXUAL An individual who identifies as either a

male or female (can be cisgender, FtM, or
MtF) and is attracted to individuals of
opposite sex.
QUEER Is an umbrella term that is used to

describe an individual’s self-concept of
their sexual orientation identity.
Gender is often understood as a binary concept, with male and female being the
two traditional categories. However, it is important to note that gender is not solely
limited to these binary options. Some individuals as non-binary, genderqueer, or
genderfluid, and may not identify with strictly male or female gender roles. Gender
encompasses a variety of aspects including gender identity, which refers to an
individual’s internal sense and experience of their own gender, whether it aligns with
their assigned sex or not. It also includes gender expression, which refers to the way
individuals outwardly communicate their gender through appearance, behavior, clothing,
and other means.
Gender is a complex and multifaceted concept that intersects with other aspects
of an individuals identity, such as race, ethnicity, sexuality, and class. It can shape
peoples experiences, opportunities, and expectations, and has significant implications
for social, economic, and political structures. The understanding and interpretation of
gender vary across cultures and societies, leading to ongoing discussions and debates
about gender equality justice.
Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and
expectations that society deems appropriate for individuals based on their sex. While
sex refers to the biological differences between males and females, such as
reproductive organs and chromosomal composition, gender is cultural and social
concept that varies across different societies and time periods.

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TORCULAS, HANNAH CARIJUTAN

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

LESSON 2: Gender and Sexual Orientation

Gender is a term that used to describe the characteristics, whether biologically or

The awareness of one’s gender identity usually starts with self-categorization

Table 1: Gender Identity Terminologies

CISGENDER Is male or female that identifies with the

GENDERQUEER Is used to describe a gender identify

INTERSEX Describes a variety of medical conditions

TRANSGENDERMAN/ FEMALE TO Is a man whose sex is female, but he

TRANSGENDER WOMEN/ MALE TO Is a woman whose sex is male, but she

Table 2: Sexual Orientation Terminologies

BISEXUAL The sexual orientation that describes

GAY Depending on the context, gay can refer

LESBIAN A self-identified female who is

HETEROSEXUAL An individual who identifies as either a

QUEER Is an umbrella term that is used to

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