SOC SCI 5 JOURNAL

Study Guide 1.1

B. Please watch this short video and explain sex and gender as spectrums and not
as binaries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpYlE_EjX9M

Sex and Gender as Spectrum and Not as Binaries

Sex and gender may be known by others as “binaries” or only male and
female, boy or girl, man or woman. But this concept is a somehow problematic, for
instance, sex which is determined through birth on which reproductive organ a baby
will have, there are absolutely other kind of sex, scientifically determined based on
chromosomes, hormones, hormonal expression, and internal & external genitalia.
Same with “gender”, which others differentiate only as two separate traits in the
society of being a man or a woman, masculine or feminine, nothing more. But also
this is not acceptable with the fact that gender is based on how you want to portray
yourself in the society, gender spectrum refers to the idea that there are many
gender identities (female, male, transgender, etc.) of one’s self. Sex and gender
should be seen as spectrum, not as binaries.

Study Guide 1.2

C. What to do individually: Make a table showing the sex roles and gender roles you
do or perform as a woman, as well as the venues or contexts where you manifest
these roles.

Study Guide 1.3

2. Read/watch
Watch a short video: Patriarchy -- power and gender in the 21c | Ananya Roy |
TEDxMarin Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oOevLDtPJo

Read Bell Hooks’ Understanding Patriarchy, retrieved from

https://imaginenoborders.org/pdf/zines/UnderstandingPatriarchy.pdf

3.1 What is patriarchy?

In Bell Hooks' analysis, patriarchy represents a complex social framework

where men predominantly wield authority in political governance, moral guidance,
and property ownership. Within this system, male dominance and privilege are
central, resulting in the subjugation and exploitation of women. Patriarchy extends
beyond individual men to encompass a societal structure that upholds male
entitlement, supremacy, and power dynamics that systematically oppress women.
This entrenched system permeates diverse facets of society, reinforcing gender
disparities and molding cultural standards that prioritize men while marginalizing
women.

3.2 How is this manifested in our daily lives?

Patriarchy, as elucidated by Bell Hooks and further explored in various sources,

manifests in our daily lives through a multitude of ways that perpetuate gender
inequalities and reinforce traditional gender roles. For example, women who choose
not to conform to traditional roles of marriage and motherhood often face societal
judgment and pressure, highlighting how patriarchal norms dictate expectations for
women's life choice. Patriarchal beliefs attribute specific biological traits to women,
such as the myth that women are less rational during menstruation, perpetuating
stereotypes that undermine women's capabilities and judgments. Religious traditions
and dating culture often reflect patriarchal norms by limiting women's roles and
perpetuating gender stereotypes that position men as active pursuers and women as
passive objects of desire. Violence against women is deeply rooted in patriarchal
societies, where male dominance and control over women's bodies normalize
violence and harassment, perpetuating a culture of fear and inequality. As for men,
patriarchal expectations place a significant burden on men to fulfill the role of primary
providers, leading to societal pressures that can affect men's identity and self-worth
when they face challenges in meeting these expectations. These are just few that
illustrate how patriarchy influences various aspects of our daily lives, shaping societal
norms, behaviors, and expectations.

3.3 How is this reinforced and maintained? How are women and men part of its
maintenance?

Patriarchy stays strong because both women and men play a part in keeping it going.

Women are often taught to follow traditional roles that make them subservient
to men. By accepting these roles, women help keep the system in place by not
challenging male dominance. Women are usually expected to do most of the unpaid
work at home, like taking care of the family and doing chores. This keeps traditional
gender roles alive and maintains unequal responsibilities in families. Men also help
maintain patriarchy by sticking to ideas that define masculinity as different from
femininity. By following these norms, men support a system that puts male power first.
Both women and men keep patriarchy going by believing and promoting stereotypes
like women should be nurturing and men should be tough. These beliefs keep
unequal power dynamics between genders in place. When women don't support
each other, it makes it harder to challenge gender inequalities. Competition or not
standing together can make it tough to break down patriarchal systems. To change
this, we need everyone to work together to break down these old patterns and push
for gender equality.

3.4 Why is it not easy for men to recognize their privileged position in a patriarchal
system?

Men find it hard to see their privileged position in a patriarchal system for a few
reasons; men grow up in a system that tells them they deserve power and privilege,
making it tough for them to realize the advantages they have over others. Admitting
privilege means facing the uncomfortable truth that they benefit from a system that
harms others. This fear of losing power or facing criticism stops men from
acknowledging their privileged position. Society expects men to be strong and in
control. Admitting privilege might feel like going against these norms, making it
challenging for men to accept their privileged status. Men may not fully understand
their privilege because they don't face the same discrimination as women. This
limited view can make it hard for men to recognize their privileged position in society.
In essence, the deep-rooted nature of patriarchy, fear of losing power,
societal norms, and a narrow perspective all contribute to why men struggle to see
their privileged role within a patriarchal system.

3.5 Although men are typically privileged in a patriarchal system

this will not be true for all men.

According to Bell Hooks' analysis of patriarchy, although men generally hold

privilege in a patriarchal society, this advantage is not universal among all men. The
text emphasizes that while patriarchy upholds male dominance and perpetuates
sexist behaviors, not every man experiences the same level of benefit from this
system. Some men may not even be aware of the concept of patriarchy or its impact
on their lives. The rigid gender roles imposed by the patriarchal structure influence
the behaviors and expectations of both men and women. However, certain men may
not conform to these roles or may face disadvantages within the patriarchal system.
This challenges the idea that all men uniformly benefit from patriarchy, as individual
circumstances and experiences can vary significantly.

3.6 How does one’s gender, social status and education play a role in this?

In a patriarchal society, your gender, social status, and education all affect how you
experience things. Men usually have more power and control over women in these
systems. People with higher social status often benefit more from patriarchal rules.
Education is important because it can help you understand gender roles and
challenge old ways of thinking. Teaching boys about gender equality is seen as a
way to change patriarchal beliefs and promote fairness. When looking at how people
in patriarchal cultures view gender roles, it shows that expectations can vary based
on gender, job, education, and how much money you have. So, your gender, where
you stand in society, and how much you know all come together to shape whether
you follow or push back against patriarchal ideas and systems.

Study Guide 1.4

As individual, or in groups of 3 (members), answer the questions after watching:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9SUAcNlVQ4

a. How would you classify Emma Watson’s feminism?

Emma Watson's approach to feminism is characterized by inclusivity,

intersectionality, and a strong focus on achieving gender equality. She stresses the
collaboration between men and women in advancing gender equality, emphasizing
that feminism aims for equal rights and opportunities for all genders. Watson's brand
of feminism challenges stereotypes and strives to build a society that is more diverse
and just, enabling everyone to flourish regardless of their gender identity.

b. What would it take for men to join the He for She campaign?

To engage men in the HeForShe campaign, a fundamental shift in mindset is

necessary to recognize that gender equality benefits society as a whole. Men must
actively support gender equality through tangible actions, not just words. This entails
questioning and breaking down traditional gender norms, advocating for equal rights,
and fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity. Men can participate in the campaign
by becoming advocates for change, speaking out against discrimination, and actively
contributing to the creation of a more balanced and fair society for individuals of all
genders.

As individual, or in the same groups of 3, read this article and answer the following
question:
https://www.rosalux.de/en/news/id/42770/authoritarianism-misogyny-and-covid-19-in-
thephilippines?cHash=a5a3aca000a7b2508e27422ea97076c7

c. Why is socialist feminism the dominant alternative being advocated for in the
article?

The article advocates for socialist feminism as the primary solution because it
provides a holistic strategy to tackle the complex problems of authoritarianism,
misogyny, and the effects of COVID-19 in the Philippines. This approach highlights
the importance of unity and the necessity to confront the oppressive systems upheld
by the elite, patriarchal, and capitalist forces that sustain inequality and injustice. By
endorsing socialist feminism, the article proposes a transformative direction that not
only challenges the shortcomings of the government and neoliberal capitalism but
also strives to recapture public spaces and push for a fairer and more balanced
society.