PNHS Students' attitude towards Third Sex Learners for Gender Mainstreaming

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Education's issuance of gender-responsive basic education policy as elaborated in the Department of Education Order No. 32, s.2017 necessitates the need for studies that would cater to gender issues and realities that learners experience. Though gender mainstreaming is seen as a radical strategy in achieving the policy's goals, it is vital for academic institutions to investigate how students feel and think about other learners regardless of gender orientation. This study offers a basic step for gender mainstreaming by determining the attitude of students towards third sex learners at Pinaripad National High School (PNHS), Aglipay, Quirino.

METHODS.: This study is a descriptive-quantitative type of research which employed 147 randomly selected student-respondents from all the 26 sections of PNHS. A structured questionnaire was used in the study which contains statements that require the respondents' level of agreement on how they think, feel, and act towards third sex learners. Frequency counts, mean, and percentages were used to quantify the responses of the students.

RESULTS

The data was obtained from a total of 147 respondents, 78 were female and 69 were male from all the 26 sections at Pinaripad National High School with the age bracket ranging from 11 -19 years old. Based on tabulated data, the respondents do not approve of how third sex students dress-up (with a mean of 2.3) and how they behave in public such as being loud, articulate, and funny among others (with a mean of 2.5). The student-respondents also reveal that they dislike third sex students' manner of speaking. Interestingly, the respondents disclosed that they appreciate how third sex students' tendency to be showy in their emotions (2.6) and how they could share their skills or talent. Moreover, the respondents, in general, admit that they treat third sex respondents with respect and fairness (2.8). Further, the respondents disagreed to acts such as avoiding working with them (2.3) and showing no concern to them when they experience discrimination (2.2).

DISCUSSIONS

The results show that students were not properly oriented on the acceptance of third sex individuals' attitudes but are still showing care and respect to third sex students. This further demonstrates the need for programs and lesson integration of gender perspectives as part of gender-mainstreaming efforts in schools to avoid discrimination and threat for violence due to sexual orientation.