GENSOC

Question 1

What is knowledge according to classical and modern theory?

Answer 1

Classical: Knowledge is justified true belief (Plato).

Modern (Foucault): Knowledge is produced within power relations; “truths” depend on institutions and social power.

Question 2

How does knowledge apply to gender?

Answer 2

Gender “truths” (e.g., what is masculine/feminine) are socially produced by families, religion, media, law, and academia—not just discovered facts.

Question 3

What is Judith Butler’s theory of gender performativity?

Answer 3

Gender is not something we are, but something we do through repeated actions, speech, and behaviors. Gender is constructed, not innate.

Question 4

What is an example of gender performativity?

Answer 4

Cultural expectations (e.g., boys wear blue, girls wear pink) are repeated practices that reinforce binary gender categories.

Question 5

What is gender equality?

Answer 5

Equal rights, responsibilities, and opportunities for people of all genders in education, employment, politics, and healthcare.

Question 6

What is the gender pay gap?

Answer 6

The difference in earnings between men and women, often due to occupational segregation, care burdens, and underrepresentation in leadership.

Question 7

What is the difference between sex and gender?

Answer 7

Sex: Biological attributes (chromosomes, hormones, anatomy).
Gender: Social meanings, roles, and expectations assigned by society.

Question 8

Why is the distinction between sex and gender important?

Answer 8

Sex is relevant in medical contexts; gender is key for studying social roles, inequalities, and expectations.

Question 9

What is social learning theory (Bandura) in relation to gender?

Answer 9

Gender roles are learned through observation, imitation, modeling, and reinforcement by adults, peers, and media.

Question 10

Give an example of social learning of gender.

Answer 10

Boys are rewarded for rough play, girls for caregiving play; media reinforces these behaviors.

Question 11

What is functionalism and essentialism in gender?

Answer 11

Functionalism: Gender divisions (men as breadwinners, women as caregivers) serve societal stability.
Essentialism: Gender differences are “natural” and based on biology.

Question 12

What is the critique of functionalism and essentialism?

Answer 12

They naturalize inequality and obscure power dynamics, making social hierarchies seem inevitable.

Question 13

What is conflict theory in gender studies?

Answer 13

Gender hierarchies reflect power struggles over resources; patriarchy maintains men’s dominance institutionally.

Question 14

What is gender socialization?

Answer 14

The lifelong process of learning gender norms via family, education, religion, media, and peers.

Question 15

How does mass media affect body image?

Answer 15

Media images create unrealistic beauty standards, leading to body dissatisfaction, especially among adolescents.

Question 16

What is sexuality from a social constructionist perspective?

Answer 16

Sexuality is shaped by culture, history, and social institutions—not determined solely by biology.

Question 17

Is there a “gay gene”?

Answer 17

No single “gay gene” exists; sexual orientation is influenced by genetics, hormones, and social/environmental factors.

Question 18

What does LGBTQHIA stand for?

Answer 18

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, (H) Intersex, (I) Intersex, Asexual/Ally.

Question 19

What is sexual orientation?

Answer 19

An enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to individuals of the same, opposite, or multiple sexes.

Question 20

What is gender identity?

Answer 20

A deeply held internal sense of being a man, woman, both, neither, or another gender, which may or may not align with assigned sex at birth.

Question 21

What is the SOGIE/SOGIESC Bill in the Philippines?

Answer 21

Proposed national legislation to protect individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, and sex characteristics. Still pending as of 2025.

Question 22

What are gender roles?

Answer 22

Socially prescribed behaviors, attitudes, and responsibilities considered appropriate for individuals based on perceived or assigned gender.

Question 23

Give examples of women and men stereotypes.

Answer 23

Women: Nurturing, emotional, responsible for domestic work.
Men: Stoic, assertive, economic provider, emotionally restrained.

Question 24

What is an identity crisis in gender?

Answer 24

A conflict between a person’s self-understanding and societal expectations, leading to stress, anxiety, or marginalization.

Question 25

What is gender equality vs. gender inequality?

Answer 25

Equality: Equal rights and opportunities for all genders. Inequality: Disparities in pay, representation, access to resources, and decision-making power.

Question 26

What is gender discrimination and the gender gap?

Answer 26

Discrimination: Unequal treatment based on gender. Gender gap: Disparities in outcomes (pay, representation, participation) between genders.

Question 27

What is colorism (skin gap)?

Answer 27

Preference for lighter skin within and across genders, influencing social, economic, and cultural opportunities.

Question 28

What is Gender-Based Violence (GBV)?

Answer 28

Any act of violence directed at an individual because of their gender (e.g., intimate partner violence, sexual violence, harassment).

Question 29

What are the types of power related to GBV?

Answer 29

Coercive power (force/threat) Economic power (control over resources) Ideological power (shaping norms and beliefs)

Question 30

What are the root causes of GBV?

Answer 30

Patriarchal norms, impunity, economic stress, harmful masculinities, intersecting inequalities, lack of awareness/services.

Question 31

What are the main types of GBV?

Answer 31

Intimate partner violence Sexual assault & harassment Trafficking & exploitation Harmful traditional practices Online/technological violence Femicide

Question 32

What are some ways to promote gender equality?

Answer 32

Paid parental leave Affordable childcare Anti-discrimination laws Gender quotas Education reforms Public campaigns

Question 33

What is Classical Epistemology (Plato) about knowledge?

Answer 33

Core Claim: Knowledge is “justified true belief”—something is known if it is true, believed, and justified. Application to Gender: What is considered “true” about gender (e.g., “women are naturally caregivers”) is often justified by social institutions, not just discovered. Example: The belief that women are better at caregiving is treated as knowledge because it is reinforced by religion, policy, and repeated social practices.

Question 34

What is Foucault’s Critique of Knowledge? Theorist: Michel Foucault

Answer 34

Core Claim: Knowledge is produced within power relations; what counts as “truth” depends on institutions, discourse, and social power. Application to Gender: Gender “truths” (what is masculine/feminine) are shaped by families, religion, media, law, and academia, not just biology. Example: Public narratives (e.g., “LGBT identities are Western imports”) are used in political debates to block protective laws or fuel stigma.

Question 35

What is Judith Butler’s Theory of Gender Performativity? Theorist: Judith Butler

Answer 35

Core Claim: Gender is not an inner essence but a repeated set of acts and performances that make gender appear stable. Application to Gender: There is no pre-existing “man” or “woman”; repeated performances (actions, speech, dress) produce gender identity. Example: A person who repeatedly acts in ways labeled “masculine” is read as a man. Non-binary identities challenge binary systems in law and society.

Question 36

What is Social Learning Theory (Bandura) in relation to gender? Theorist: Albert Bandura

Answer 36

Theorist: Albert Bandura Core Claim: Behavior, including gendered behavior, is learned through observation, imitation, modeling, and reinforcement. Application to Gender: Children learn gender roles by watching adults, peers, and media, and through rewards or punishments for certain behaviors. Example: Boys are praised for rough play, girls for caregiving play; media and toys reinforce these roles.

Question 37

What is Functionalism (Parsons) in gender studies? Theorist: Talcott Parsons

Answer 37

Core Claim: Gender divisions (instrumental roles for men, expressive roles for women) serve societal stability. Application to Gender: Men are expected to be breadwinners and rational decision-makers; women are expected to nurture and care for the family. Example: Traditional households assign fathers to earn income and mothers to manage domestic duties.

Question 38

What is Essentialism in gender? Theorist: Various (traditional/biological perspectives)

Answer 38

Core Claim: Gender differences are rooted in biology and are therefore “natural.” Application to Gender: Explains why men and women are believed to behave differently (e.g., men are more aggressive, women more empathetic). Example: Arguments against gender-neutral schooling often cite “natural” differences as justification.

Question 39

What is the Critique of Functionalism and Essentialism? Theorists: Feminist and social constructionist scholars (e.g., Judith Lorber, Barbara Risman)

Answer 39

Core Claim: These views naturalize inequality and obscure power dynamics, making social hierarchies appear inevitable. Application to Gender: They explain historical roles but fail to account for social change and intersectional experiences. Example: Women in leadership and men in caregiving roles challenge these outdated theories.

Question 40

What is Conflict Theory (Collins) in gender studies? Theorist: Patricia Hill Collins (inspired by Marx)

Answer 40

Core Claim: Gender hierarchies reflect power struggles over resources; patriarchy maintains men’s dominance institutionally. Application to Gender: Men’s dominance is maintained through institutional power, not individual merit. Example: Women face structural barriers to leadership (exclusion from networks, unpaid care burdens) even with legal equality.

Question 41

What is Social Constructionism (Fausto-Sterling, Seidman) in sexuality and gender? Theorists: Anne Fausto-Sterling, Steven Seidman

Answer 41

Core Claim: Sexuality and gender are shaped by culture, history, and social institutions—not determined solely by biology. Application to Gender: Norms about sexuality and gender vary widely across societies and change over time. Example: Some cultures recognize third-gender categories; others criminalize non-heteronormative behavior.

Question 42

What is Media Representation & Social Comparison Theory (Kilbourne, Perloff)? Theorists: Jean Kilbourne, Richard Perloff

Answer 42

Core Claim: Media images shape self-perception and body image through social comparison. Application to Gender: Exposure to idealized media images leads to body dissatisfaction, especially among young women. Example: Social media use is linked to increased body image concerns and mental health issues among adolescents.

Question 43

What is Intersectionality (Kempadoo, Crenshaw)? Theorists: Kamala Kempadoo, Kimberlé Crenshaw

Answer 43

Core Claim: Gender, race, class, and sexuality intersect to shape experiences and opportunities. Application to Gender: Sexuality and gender cannot be understood in isolation from colonial histories, race, class, and religion. Example: Caribbean nations’ sexual norms are shaped by colonial legacies; colorism and gender discrimination intersect to create compounded disadvantage.

Question 44

What is Types of Power (Connell, Kabeer) in relation to GBV? Theorists: R.W. Connell, Naila Kabeer

Answer 44

Core Claim: Power can be coercive (force), economic (resources), or ideological (norms/beliefs), and is often gendered. Application to Gender: Men or dominant groups disproportionately wield power, contributing to gender-based violence and systemic inequality. Example: Legal protections alone are insufficient; addressing GBV requires reducing economic dependence, challenging cultural norms, and promoting empowerment.