GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT

(REFLECTION PAPER)
Hannah B. Grepo
BSED-ENGLISH 1A

The issues of today’s world are being so broad that even the simplest
thing is becoming a big deal for everyone. But there’s a bigger issue that our
country are giving much attention. The gender equality which is considered as a
sensitive matter for everyone. Most of the Filipinos are actually giving their own
insights about this issue, but the thing is there are some people who are just fond
of expressing their thoughts although they don’t have any idea about this certain
matter.
The seminar on gender and development helps us students to know
more about gender and the sensitivity of this. The difference between gender and
sex are also tackled. This gives us a clear understanding that sex is the biological
aspect of us while gender is what we consider ourselves; it is our own perspective
of what we are. As a person we actually often encounter discrimination or
prejudgment because of our gender, this is called Gender Stereotype. Gender
stereotype occurs in many aspects; in Social roles in which men are expected to
financially provide their family needs, can also work as managers, construction
builders and engineers, they are also portrayed as leaders while women are in
charge of the household chores, works as nurse, teacher and secretary, more
often portrayed as followers. The second is gender stereotype in capacities:
wherein men are said to be good in math and science, physically strong and a firm
decision makers while women are good in arts, said to be physically weaker,
fragile and fickle minded in decision making. The third is gender stereotype in
Traits and characteristics, which says that men are active, aloof, aggressive,
independent and brave while women are loving, passive, peaceful, dependent
and fearful. Developing one’s gender involves socialization, and this starts inside
home or in our family. From our birth as babies, we are handled differently
according to our gender. As time goes by we are being introduced to a gender
appropriate things or toys. And on our average age we are being exposed to a
certain activity in accordance on our gender.
Developing oneself needs a lot of things to be experienced and struggles
to encounter. As we grow up things are getting different than it’s usual. People
are also changing as well our environment. But don’t let this things affects
yourself. There is a thing that I’ve learned in this topic that is to not let anyone
define you. We are all unique and can never be defined by anyone. Disregard all
the negativity, ignore the judgement and be true to yourself. In that way you can
do all things no matter what you are.