Gender socialization and Gender stereotyping

1. Module 1 :
SEXUALITY
AND GENDER
Lesson 2. Gender Socialization
and Gender Stereotypes

2. Gender socialization is a lifelong process. The beliefs about
gender that we acquire in childhood can affect us through our
lives. As adults, our beliefs about gender may grow more
nuanced and flexible, but gender socialization can still affect
our behavior, whether in school, the workplace or in our
relationships. Gender socializations begins at birth, intensifies
during adolescence and contributes to gender inequalities in
education, employment, income, empowerment, and other
significant outcomes of well-being during adolescence and later
in life.

3. The gender stereotyping of men and women has a
profound impact on our society. However, even though
we are liberated in our beliefs and attitudes, many of our
actions are still influenced by gender stereotyping and
misconceptions about men and women that have been
passed down through the generations. In spite of their
stated values, a surprising number of people today relate
to each other based on a gender stereotype.

7. AREAS OR AGENT OF SOCIALIZATION
FAMILY
CHURCH
MASS MEDIA
SCHOOL

8. FAMILY
Ruth Hartley notes 4 processes involved in gender socialization:
1. Manipulation – means that people handle girls and boys differently infants.
Example: *Mothers tend to use physical stimulation on male infants and more verbal stimulation on
female infants.
* Boy baby are tossed in the air.
*Girl babies get more delicate handling.
2. CANALIZATION – means that people direct children’s attention to gender appropriate objects.
Example: *Boys are given toy cars and machines, girls are given dolls and tea sets.
*Toys teach children what their prescribed roles in life will be.

9. FAMILY
Ruth Hartley notes 4 processes involved in gender socialization:
3. VERBAL APPELIATION- telling children what they are and what is expected of
them.
Example: * brave boy, pretty girl
*Boys don’t cry, girls don’t hit playmates
2. ACTIVITY EXPOSURE- Familiarizing children to their gender-appropriate tasks.
Example: *Girls help their mother with housework.
*Boys are encouraged to play outside the house.

10. CHURCH
Gender roles in Christianity vary considerably today as they have during the last two millennia. This is
especially true when regards to marriage and ministry.
MASS MEDIA -Technological advancement has reduced the world into small village. Some
areas such as the mass media coverage, have attracted the attention of many individuals globally. With
the current mass media, much has changed, especially in terms of socialization. This includes the radios,
television, newspapers, and many more.
-Socialization process has extremely taken a new look in the current society.
- What media displays has attracted a lot of attention from the public information on major societal
issues, such as sexuality, is displayed clearly to the public.
- Mass media has become so advance to an extent that people from different regions can chart over
various issues affecting them in life.

13. SCHOOL
A. INSTRUCTIONAL LANGUAGE
-The use of genetic word to refer to both
girls and boys.
example: he, his, man
-The use of stereotype language.
example: freshman ---------first year student
mankind --------- humanity
fisherman ------- fisher folk
chairman -------- chairperson
B. CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT
 Assigning of groups- (boys and girls
together not boys against girls).
 Task given by teachers
 Discipline
C. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
 Textbooks
 Direct teaching materials
 Peripheral teaching material

14. GENDER STEREOTYPING is defined as an overgeneralization of
characteristics, differences and attributes of a certain group based on their
gender.
Gender stereotypes are dangerous because they can cause us to might be
disoriented in our perceptions.
When individuals don’t conform to our gender stereotypes the result can
lead to discrimination and unequal or create unfair treatments to a certain
person who chooses to defy people’s assumptions about his/her gender.
When gender inequality occurs in the background of gender stereotyping,
this is the most basic sexism.

16. How do gender
stereotypes affect ?
A stereotype is widely accepted
judgement or bias about a
person or group even though
it’s overly simplified and not
always accurate.

17. BASIC KINDS OF GENDER STEREOTYPES:
oPersonality traits- for example women are often
expected to be accommodating and emotional, while men
are usually expected to be self-confident and aggressive.
oDomestic behaviors- for example, some people
expect that women will take care of the children, cook,
and clean the home, while men take care of the finances,
work on the car, and do home repairs.

18. BASIC KINDS OF GENDER STEREOTYPES:
oOccupations – some people are quick to assume that
teachers and nurses are women, and the pilots, doctors, and
engineers are men.
oPhysical Appearance – For example, women are expected
to be thin and graceful, while men are expected to be tall and
muscular. Men and women are also expected to dress and
groom in ways that are stereotypical to their gender ( men
wearing pants and short hairstyles, women wearing dresses and
make-up.

19. HYPERFEMINITY is the exaggeration of stereotyped behavior that is
believed to be feminine. Hyperfeminine folks exaggerate the qualities
they believe to be feminine. This may include being passive, naïve,
sexually inexperienced, soft, flirtatious, graceful, nurturing, and
accepting.
HYPERMASCULINITY is the exaggeration of stereotyped behavior
that’s believed to be masculine. Hyper masculine folks exaggerate the
qualities they believe to be masculine. They believe they’re supposed to
complete with other men and dominate feminine folks by being
aggressive, worldly, sexually experienced, insensitive, physically
imposing, ambitious and demanding.