Chapter 1

The Problem

Background of the Study

Discrimination is the act of making an unfavourable distinction for a being

based on the group, class, or category to which they are perceived to belong.

Discrimination can be justified or prejudicial. Wikipedia Discrimination is prohibited

by six of the core international human rights documents. The vast majority of the

world’s states have constitutional or statutory provisions outlawing discrimination.

(Osin and Porat 2005) Discrimination is something that people face in every day

basis. There are people who experience discrimination based on their gender or

race. Discrimination is treating people in an unfair manner based on their race,

religious beliefs or gender. Gender and racial discrimination are popular issues that

many people still experience. This can be at social events, in schools, and

workplaces. There are many campaigns to eradicate all sorts of discrimination in

society.

One of the most important things that sociologist do is distinguish between

sex and gender. Sex refers to whether a person is considered female or male, based

on the kind of body they have. Gender describes the ideas and practices that

constitute femininity and masculinity.

In today’s generation, people discriminate others because they feel power

whenever they try to hurt people physically, mentally and emotionally. Here in the

Philippines, when you are a guy and you wear pink, there are people who already
give their conception that the guy is a gay, which is actually some guy, just love

wearing pink. But during the 19th century, which color for who does not matter

(Sarget,2012) There is also a misconception that woman is not allowed to do some

hard work because they said that woman should be just at home doing household

chores. From the words of Mother Theresa,” Biggest disease today is not leprosy or

tuberculosis but rather the feeling of being unwanted”, this highlights the gender

discrimination in the society. Thus, the sex of the child plays an important role in its

survival.

Here in our country, there is a bill for anti-discrimination that is intended to

prevent various economic and public accommodation-related acts of discrimination

against people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

Wikipedia This Bill is called  Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Expression (SOGIE, Equality Bill, also known as the Anti-Discrimination Bill (ADB)

sponsored by Kaka Bag-ao, Geraldine Roman, Tom Villarin in the House of

Representatives, and Risa Hontiveros in the Senate. The version in the House of

Representatives passed its third reading most recently on September 20, 2017, but

died in the Senate. It has been refilled for the 18th Congress. This bill helps those

people who feel discriminated, to protect themselves, and to boost their confidence

when socializing and to achieve their dreams.

In connection to this, similar problem that arises in gender discrimination is

gender stereotyping, in which can limit the development of the natural

talents and abilities of girls and boys, women and men, as well as

their educational and professional experiences and life

opportunities in general while gender discrimination is unequal or

disadvantageous treatment of an individual or group of individuals based on gender.

Stereotypes involve the association of personality traits, roles, physical

attributes and occupations with social groups (Deaux & Lewis. 1984). Stereotyping is

the act of using these stereotypes when forming an impression of an individual

(Brewer, 1996). Gender stereotyping refers to the practice of ascribing to an

individual woman or man specific attributes, characteristics, or roles by reason only

of her or his membership in the social group of women or men. Gender stereotyping

is wrongful when it results in a violation or violations of human rights and

fundamental freedoms.

Children learn some aspects of stereotypes at a very young age. By the age

of 2 1/2–3-years, children show evidence of having some rudimentary knowledge of

the activities and objects associated with each sex. Children's gender stereotypes of

activities and occupations develop quickly during the preschool years, reaching a

very high level by kindergarten. During the elementary school years, gender

stereotypes broaden to include sports, school subjects, and personality traits. With

age, children become increasingly knowledgeable about gender stereotypes and yet

the rigidity of their stereotypes declines as they increasingly recognize the

cultural relativity of these norms (Huston 1983). Some evidence suggests that boys

hold more rigid gender stereotypes than girls and are held to more rigid ideals than

girls. In adolescence, flexibility in stereotypes fluctuates in response to two opposing

forces—increasing cognitive flexibility tends to increase adolescents' flexibility in

applying stereotypes whereas increasing pressure to conform to stereotypes in

preparation for sexual roles and adult status increases adherence to stereotypes

(Ruble and Martin 1998).

Children use gender stereotypes to make inferences about others at a young

age. When making judgments of other people, children and adults will apply their

gender stereotypic expectations to them. Even more than adults, children will rely on

a person's sex to make judgments and they are less likely to consider other relevant

information about the person than adults are (see Ruble and Martin 1998).

There are many theories about gender stereotyping and discrimination

that give us more awareness about the characteristics of both woman and man but

little they know the prevalence of gender stereotyping and discrimination. In this

study, the researcher will explore more on the prevalence of gender stereotyping

and discrimination among Senior High School Students specifically at Manaoag

National High School.

Statement of the Problem

Specifically it aims to answer the following questions;

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of;

1.1 Age

1.2 Gender

1.3 Grade level

1.4 Family Background

2. How is the impact of gender stereotyping and discrimination in the

achievements of gender equality in various areas?

3.
Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study is limited only to the Senior High School at Manaoag National High

School, attending academic year 2019-2020.

The study will examine the prevalence of gender stereotyping and

discrimination among Senior High School Students.

Significance of the Study

The overview of this present study would be a great contribution to the student

understands on the prevalence of gender stereotyping and discrimination.

The results of this study could be highly significant and beneficial specifically to

the following:

To the Students.

This study will help the students understand that they are not the only person

that feel to be discriminated and so they need to fight for themselves and boost

their confidence in school. They can make socializing without hesitation of being

judge by others and accepting of who really they are. They will also realize their

weakness and strengths that help them to be a better version of themselves.

To the Teachers.
 This study will make the teachers aware of the student’s characteristics and

behaviours and so understand the situation by consulting, giving advices and

accepting opinions of the students.

To the Community.

This study will help the community understand the effects of gender

stereotyping and discrimination to people especially the students because

discrimination may lower their self-esteem and hinder personal growth. And so

community should appreciate what man and woman can do.

To the Future Researchers.

This study may help the future researchers to explore more on the causes

and effects of the prevalence gender stereotyping and discrimination not only in

school but in the community as well.

Definition of Terms

Gender - is the range of characteristics pertaining to, and differentiating between,

masculinity and femininity. Depending on the context, these characteristics may

include biological sex, sex-based social structures, or gender identity. Wikipedia

Sex - is either of the two major forms of individuals that occur in many species

and that are distinguished respectively as female or male especially on the basis

of their reproductive organs and structures.

Prevalence - is the proportion of a population who have a specific characteristic in a

given time period

Gender Discrimination – or Sexism is prejudice or discrimination based on a person's

sex or gender. Sexism can affect anyone, but it primarily affects women and girls. It

has been linked to stereotypes and gender roles, and may include the belief that one

sex or gender is intrinsically superior to another. 

Gender Inequality - acknowledges that men and women are not equal and

that gender affects an individual's living experience. These differences arise from

distinctions in biology, psychology, and cultural norms. Some of these types of

distinctions are empirically grounded while others appear to be socially constructed.

Stereotyping - In social psychology is an over-generalized belief about a particular

category of people. It is an expectation that people might have about every person

of a particular group. The type of expectation can vary; it can be, for example, an

expectation about the group's personality, preferences, or ability.

Gender Stereotyping - is a generalised view or preconception about attributes or

characteristics, or the roles that are or ought to be possessed by, or performed by

women and men. A gender stereotype is harmful when it limits women’s and men’s

capacity to develop their personal abilities, pursue their professional careers and

make choices about their lives.

 “Biggest disease
today is not
leprosy or tuberculosis
but rather the feeling
of being
unwanted”