Have you ever been in a four-cornered room where gender wasn’t a subject? How do you respond to statements in which gender equality is the concern? To give you imagery, gender inequality was an unlocked issue for quite a long time yet remains unsolved. Unclear, unaware, and wicked domestication. A male child is not born innately holding the principle that he should wear red and not pink. A female child is not born innately perceiving that her closet must be occupied by merely dresses. We were taught by our parents, by society, by the government, and up until today, we still firmly and subconsciously hold onto those concepts. We could not escape, back when we were just children, from that system of domestication. However, as we grew into fine young individuals, our conscious mind came to have its own judgment. Choices are being laid right before us. Are you strong enough to question and battle with the norms and biases on the gender you are living in today?
The month-long gender awareness campaign kicked off with the first episode of the webinar series entitled Recognizing Unconscious Bias: Filling in Gender Gaps held last October 21, 2021, at 1:00 pm. Dr. Argel B. Masanda, the resource speaker for this episode, highlighted the importance of making oneself aware of his unconscious bias or “implicit bias”. And profoundly discussed that these implicit biases or ascribed behaviors have a weighty effect on how we engage and interact with one another. As being said by Morris (2019), gender bias creates a gap that simultaneously affects the education received by students and the number of salary employees brings home.
Gender Bias
Generalizations surround us. These predispositions are residing at the back of our minds and will come out whenever we meet a new set of people and experience new situations. Thus, socially constructed generalizations fenced one’s capabilities and skills. Certainly, it is a reason why people constantly ask for social validation and acceptance. Dr. Argel also enumerated some of the ways in mitigating these biases and further embracing the colorful diversity of gender and sex. To fill in the gender gaps, your most notable contribution will be the words and actions you project. And one of the keys to recognizing your unconscious bias is through personal awareness.
Mitigate Gender Biases
Last Thursday, Dr. Argel also enumerated some of the ways in mitigating these biases and further embracing the colorful diversity of gender and sex. Establishing front criteria can be a boundless guide in order for us to hold nondiscriminatory decisions. And, we have to make room for different styles, look for patterns, and most importantly, get broad and diverse input. To fill in the gender gaps, your most notable contribution will be the words and actions you project. And one of the keys to recognizing your unconscious bias is personal awareness.
To follow the appetizing episode, on October 22, the second episode entitled Breaking Barriers: Defying Gender Norms in School and Workforce Setting transpired. Accordingly, nations can acquire a higher percentage of economic growth when all gender identities are entitled to equal opportunities. During the time with Mr. Vincent R. Feliciano, the underlying question on gender norms and practices on how to defy it was being expounded and discoursed.
Gender Stereotypes
While some argue that gendered stereotypes have a positive note, the majority still hold that these stereotypes negatively compromise the position of one over another. Thus, socially constructed generalizations fenced one’s capabilities and skills. Certainly, it is a reason why people constantly ask for social validation and acceptance.
Upon discussing the three (3) major gender perspectives and practices, Mr. Feliciano has introduced the Genderbread Person, a model created by Sam Killerman which exemplifies and simplifies the mechanisms of gender identity, expression, sexuality, and biological sex of an individual. At the end of his discussion, fair distribution and redistribution of works must be practiced from a household up to the political sphere.
Filling in gender gaps and defying gender norms are not a one-problem-one-solution situation. Never let your doors close for fresh perspectives from a diverse set of people. Be one of the warriors in this flamboyant battlefield of diminishing gender biases and stereotypes. You may be different from the common majority, but we all have the incalculable value. You hold your own color and you play a role in embracing a gender-inclusive and diverse world.
