GSWS 101 Mid Term Vocab

Gender dysphoria

Feeling that your emotional and psychological identity is different from your biological sex.

Gender and power relationships

Females/femininity is relatively devalued in opposition to males/masculinity. Importance: Especially in work, men are believed to be better suited for public jobs and are more likely to be chosen over women. Women are expected to do the private jobs, such as staying home and taking care of the house and kids while the men go off to work in the public workforce. People believe that men have stronger personalities whereas women are too fragile and emotional and therefore men can handle jobs that deal with the public better.

First Wave Feminism

Organized women's movement for equality, 19th century to 1918. Importance: This movement focused mainly on political and legal issues, especially the right for women's suffrage. It also fought for women's right to higher education and better professions, as well as the right to ownership of property for women.

Gender Inclusive Washrooms and Trans Rights

With the rise in assaults on transgender people in washrooms, many people have fought for the right to allow trans people to use whatever bathroom fits the gender they identify as. People are also hoping for there to be more gender neutral bathrooms for people who do not fit the gender binary and are not comfortable choosing between male and female restrooms.

Intersex

A person born with genitalia outside the male-female sexual binary. This affects approximately 2% of the population. Importance: There are many variations of intersex. A person may be born appearing to be female but may have mostly male genitalia. As well, a girl may be born with an abnormally large clitoris or may lack a vaginal opening. By the 20th century intersex was seen as a medical issue and people who are born intersex deal with a large amount of shame, guilt and secrecy because of how people may react. Children born intersex are usually assigned to one gender and are put on hormones.

Two spirit

A sex-gender system in indigenous communities. Importance: gender identity of some people in indigenous communities does not match what they were assigned at birth. For example, some of those who were assigned male at birth assign the status and occupation of women. These people held special status in their community and were not seen as abnormal. The difference in reactions towards transgender or two spirit people is different among difference cultures.

Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program

A group of temporary workers, usually from Mexico or the Caribbean, that come to Canada to work for a short amount of time. Importance: This program is meant to help employers meet their labour needs when Canadian and resident workers are not available. Positions can be in lower or higher-skilled occupations. Some problems that workers and employers have to deal with are language and accent barriers. Workers also have to deal with being a painfully long distance away from their families. Cultural differences make it difficult for seasonal workers to live peacefully, often having to deal with racism and discrimination.

Substantive Equality

A much broader concept than formal equality. It recognizes that certain groups may need special treatment due to the disadvantages they face in society and also recognizes that formal equality does not mean equal treatment for all. Importance: Substantive equality recognized that gender neutral laws did not mean equal treatment and realized that treating groups such as men and women equally does not help with the fact that one group may be more historically disadvantaged than the other. Substantive equality focuses on how processes affect the outcome of groups and designs processes that with produce equal outcomes. Unlike formal equality, which wishes to level the playing field, substantive equality wishes to level the players instead.

Anti-suffrage

A number of arguments made against the suffragist movement. Importance: Many of the arguments people made against the suffragist movement was that women were too emotional to vote. They believed that they would not be able to handle the responsibility of voting and that men were the only rational ones. Some also believed that suffragists were going to "de-sex" women, therefore making them rougher and more masculine, making it so no one will want to marry them. Doctors even believed that if women went to college their energy would be diverted from their ovaries to their brains, risking sterility. They also argued that it would destroy household harmony and that the husband should always represent the wife.

Real-life test

A period of time in which transgender people live full time in their preferred gender roles. This is to see if the individual can function properly in society as a member of that preferred gender and to make sure they really do want to be live as that gender for the rest of their life. Importance: Some transgender people have expressed unhappiness and criticism with the procedure, saying that it is unnecessary. Sexologists have also come out to say that there is very little scientific evidence that the test is necessary or sufficient.

Indian Act

An act that allows the federal government to administer status, First Nations governments, and the management of reserve land. Importance: Although the act has been amended, Canada has been in control of First Nations land since the creation of the country. The act was very controversial and included things such as restrictions on ceremonies and things such as potlatches. Because of this act many First Nations communities deal with lost practices, traditions and oral histories.

Head Tax

An amount of money charged to Chinese people entering Canada. Importance: This was meant to discourage Chinese people from entering Canada. It was also a way of constraining Chinese immigration because women and children often were not able to afford to move with their men. Because of this the Chinese community in Canada was mostly male. Many Chinese men owned businesses such as restaurants and laundries, but the large amount of them were unable to afford the wages white men wanted when working so they relied on hiring women. Realizing this, Protestant moral reformers set up an anti-Asian act to prevent the hiring of white women by Asian men. This act was called the White Women's Labour Law.

Women for Political Action (WPA)

An organization that focused on getting more women involved in politics.

Systematic/institutional racism

Forms of racism which are structured into political and social institutions. Importance: Systematic racism takes place when institutions, governments or organisations discriminate against certain groups of people, either deliberately or indirectly. This is to limit the rights of certain groups of people. Systematic racism is particularly damaging for minority groups and further restrict their access to services and participation in society.

Cisgender

Gender corresponds with sex-gender assigned at birth.

Transgender

Gender identity doesn't correspond with assigned sex/gender - outside the gender binary.

Gender Performance

Learning & displaying gender through norms and practices which signal masculinity and femininity. Importance: Men are supposed to be strong and powerful whereas women are supposed to be small and quiet, so when masculine bodies take on femininity it challenges a norm. Certain things signaled gender such as colours: pink for girls and blue for boys. Although, until the early 20th century pink was thought of as a boy colour because it was close to purple which signified honour and power. Boys also used to wear dresses and at traditional christenings nowadays you can still see the young boys wearing dresses.

MMPI

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory: the most widely used and researched test of adult personalities. Importance: There are 10 scales, scale 5 being the masculinity/femininity scale. This scale is used to study and categorize gender. It was also used to figure out certain things such as whether or not the person rejected or embraced their gender role and if their personality went hand in hand with their gender. Psychologists at one point believed that they could point out which men were gay by seeing if their personality was more feminine than average men. You could be sent away if they suspected that you were "rebelling against your gender role."

Immigrants

People moving to a destination country that is not their native home or where they do not possess citizenship. Importance: There have been many problems surrounding immigration in the past few years, especially in the media. People have different perceptions of race and people immigrating to Canada are seen as "different." There are many fears that people have about immigration, especially post 9/11 where many are still afraid of terrorism and believe that immigration = terrorists coming into the country. Some feminists focus largely on the topic of immigration and how there is a large amount of racism that comes with it.

Individual racism

Racist assumptions, beliefs and behaviours that stems from conscious and unconscious personal prejudice. Importance: Individual racism is not something we inherit it is something we are taught. People are exposed to racism from a young age and are desensitized to the fact that the stereotypes, assumptions and beliefs we are taught in society are damaging to people who are discriminated against.

"whiteness"

Seen as a privilege to many people who face discrimination and disadvantages. Importance: Whiteness is seen as a category that comes with particular benefits and privileges. Often times, people who have whiter features are less discriminated against in society and have a thing called white privilege. White privilege is a series of societal privileges that benefit white and white-passing people in Western societies. Such privileges can be political, social or economical.

Third wave feminism

Several diverse groups of feminists mainly focused on the differences and privileges among genders, races and sexualities. Importance: Unlike the different waves of feminists in the past, third wave feminism focuses on criticizing the idea of universal oppression. The idea that some women are more privileged than other women is often debated within the feminist community and things such as rape, patriarchy and sexuality are big topics as well. Third wave feminism also depends on the media and pop culture to get across their message. Celebrities nowadays often times come out and say that they are feminists, opening feminism up to a wider audience. Things such as hashtag activism also help gets the feminist message and feminist issues out to more people.

Race

Socially constructed classifications of humans based on the colour of their skin and their physical traits. Importance: With race comes many different stereotypes and branding. Because of what we have been taught about race in the past, we believe that our behavioural traits are inherited and unchangeable. Throughout history there has been major racial hierarchy and white people have been at the top oppressing those of other races and being seen as the superior race. People of certain races, especially those of African descent, are seen as inferior and different. In times such as the 18th century, people with pale skin were seen as wealthier and better off because they did not have to do any work outside in the sun, which kept their skin pale and white. People with darker skin were seen as the complete opposite.

Liberal feminism

The belief that inequality is rooted in the unequal access to education, jobs and income. Importance: Liberal feminists were the ones that wanted there to be better education, laws and policies in order for women into positions of power. These feminists believed that women could maintain their equality through their own actions and choices. Liberal feminists wanted gender equality in the public sphere, which was mainly populated by men because of how both men and women were perceived (men were more rational and powerful, unlike women, therefore were able to handle public jobs in places such as the economy and politics better.)

Socialist feminism

The belief that inequality was rooted in capitalism Importance: Socialist feminists thought that the capital was the main beneficiary of women's oppression. These women believed that the capitalist society only saw them as a "reserve army of labour" which meant only using them for work when the men went of to war, or when very low-paying positions needed to be filled. They also believed that they were only seen as a source of free domestic labour because of the gender norms that say women should be working in a home and taking care of the family.

Radical feminism

The belief that the oppression of all women was because of men and was the root of all inequality. Importance: Radical feminists believed that men drew power and benefits from the complete control of women. These women wanted male supremacy to be eliminated in all social and economic constructs. They believed that there were many different types of oppression of women through marriage, family and childbearing.

Maternal feminism

The belief that women as mothers and caregivers had an important yet distinctive role to play in society and politics. Importance: Women who are mothers are at higher risk of poverty and may not have an income in their name, leaving them vulnerable at the financial mercy of their partner. Some believe that feminism has failed women who want to be mothers and that people glorify working mothers but not stay-at-home moms. Maternal feminism is about liberating motherhood and allow mothers to enjoy economic autonomy and self independence.

Sex-typed occupations

The division of gender in certain occupations. Importance: Sex-typed occupations enforce gender norms and cultural norms. Men regularly work continuously after they are out of school, whereas women move in and out of work to tend to family and child-rearing duties. Most men and women focus on getting into occupations that their sex already dominates. For women that would be teaching, daycare, nursing and waitressing. For men that would be mechanics, construction and politics. The sex-typed occupations usually have something to do with the separate spheres both genders are placed in. For women, their jobs are often an extension of domestic roles.

Ethnicity

The common heritage and culture you come from. Importance: Ethnicity is seen as the interrelationship between gender, race and class. It is based on similarities such as common language, ancestral, social, cultural, or national experiences. It is often an inherited status based on where the person lives.

Separate spheres and Equal rights feminism

The concept of separate spheres that influence gender roles. Importance: There is a public sphere and a private sphere. Women are usually placed in the private sphere whereas men are placed in the public sphere. The private sphere refers to the home and family life, which is where society believed women should be. The public sphere refers to things such as political and economic jobs. Men were placed into the public spheres because they were believed to be able to handle their emotions better and be tougher, whereas women were seen as too emotional and fragile. Equal rights feminism downplayed differences and emphasized sameness. Equal rights feminists believed in things such as equal pay for equal work and that men and women should be equal in their ability to reason and achieve goals.

"preferred" vs. "non-preferred"

The difference between the immigrants that people believed belonged in Canad and the immigrants that were as 'other.' Importance: Preferred immigrants coming into Canada were usually eastern European and in the middle of the racial hierarchy. They were often times assimilated into Anglo-culture and were seen as racially pure. Non-preferred immigrants were brought into Canada for short term labour (ex. Chinese immigration, railways and head tax.) They were also not assimilated into the culture like European immigrants because they were seen as too 'different' to live in Canada forever.

Gendered time gap

The difference in time spent on house and domestic labour. Also refers to the fact that women work less hours than men do in their occupations. Importance: The gap is persistent but narrowing. In 1986, men reported that they spent 14.7 hr/wk on housework whereas women spent 33.6 hr/wk. The latest study, from 2005, shows that men now spend 17.5 hr/wk whereas women spend 30.1 hr/wk. In the workforce, women work less hours than men do. This is often because they have to tend to the house and their family, which affects their job market skills. Men usually work continuously, children or not.

Racially stratified labour force

The division of races in certain occupations. Importance: Many immigrants come to Canada to have a better life and make better money. Employers often times take advantage of these people desperate for work and therefore they end up being over-represented in service, hotel and fast food jobs. People of different races often times have to deal with discrimination within their work, as well as language barriers and a lack of credentials. Because of this employers are able to underpay and overwork them because they are unaware.

Formal Equality

The equal treatment of everyone regardless of circumstances. People believed that this would end inequality. Importance: Formal equality failed to realize that certain groups may be more disadvantaged than other groups and therefore may need better treatment. Ex. white vs. black, men vs. women. Formal equality also does not recognize the differences between things such as peoples economic class and opportunities. Although this may appear non-discriminatory it does not address the specific needs of certain groups.

Income/wage gap

The gap between how much money women earn compared to what men earn for the same type of work. Importance: Historically, women used to only make 50-60% of what men make, the most recent percentage states that women make about 79% of what men make. There is also a large income gap between certain races, with white families making about 16x more than black families. The wage and income gap is the result of a variety of different racial and sex discrimination in the workplace, especially in hiring, promotion and pay.

"Normative" family life

The idea of the perfect family derived from a social norm. Importance: This normative family ideal valued female domesticity as well as male bread-winning. The women were meant to stay home and take care of the children, clean and cook while the men were supposed to go to work and bring home the money. Many T.V. shows and movies showed these types of families and it was the social norm in the early to mid 1900s. This family ideal was often times not realistic, at one time the wages men got were too small so women and children also had to work.

cultural construction of beauty

The idea that beauty is a construct that changes from culture to culture. Importance: Beauty changes over time and throughout cultures. At one time, big stomachs and big thighs were considered the normal, attractive body for women. It signified that they were wealthy enough to eat lots and eat well. At another point in time, wide hips and slim waists and large thighs were the norm. This was when sexual icons like Marilyn Monroe were in the media and a cultural concensus was reached that that is what attractive women looks like. Nowadays there are different variations of the normal, attractive looking woman. For most it involves big boobs, big butts and tiny waists. Beauty is constantly changing.

creative consumption

The idea that instead of consuming what we are given in the media and throwing it away, we should give it a time, a space, and an emotion. Importance: This is an important step towards ending things such as consumer capitalism, alienation and commercialized bodies. Instead of simply looking at the bodies we see in the media and consuming them for our pleasure, we think about where they came from and reconnect with its roots. By doing this we can go beyond the bounds of the norms that have been set up for us by society.

'Modern Dad' moment

The idea that men are not capable of taking care of their children or home without the help of the mother. Importance: This idea stereotypes femininity and masculinity. It asks the question, what can men do or not do? Often times this 'modern dad' stereotype is shown in popular T.V. shows and movies, viewing men as helpless without the help of their women. It often comes with the large stigma that men do not spend time with their families enough to know what to do in the event of parental leave or isolation.

Intersectionality

The idea that multiple systems of oppression are interconnected. Importance: Race, gender, sexuality, dis/ability, class are social categories that are thought to be interconnected when it comes to oppression. The interconnected nature of said social categories often create an overlapping system of disadvantage and discrimination. The goal of intersectionality is to challenge the structures of power, hierarchy and justice as well as raise awareness about oppression and privilege.

"personal is political"

The idea that personal and individual issues for women are social problems and should be dealt with. Importance: This was during the radical feminist movement and is said to be a defining characterization of feminism as a whole. Second wave feminists interpreted this as an explanation of the systematic oppression women faced, often times being dominated, exploited, and oppressed.

"sisterhood is powerful"

The idea that women should work together -separately from men- to combat male oppression Importance: Also during the radical feminist movement and second wave feminism, this was a time when feminists believed that men were to blame for the oppression they faced. People often criticize this as ignoring the times when women and men worked together. They also believed that it downplayed the differences in women, ignoring the fact that some women were less oppressed than others.

standardized bodies

The standard ideals of bodies. Importance: There is only a narrow version of what the ideal male and female body should look like. For men, it's being muscular and tan, as well as looking rough and being hairless everywhere but the face. For women, its having a flat stomach but big boobs and big butts, with perfect skin. Most of these perfect ideal bodies cannot be achieved without surgeries and expensive treatments, but since they are glorified everywhere many people believe that their bodies are inferior because they cannot achieve it.

Concealment model of care

The system for "treating" children born intersex and not telling them that they are intersex. The medical information is concealed from the patient and the procedures are practiced in secret. Importance: If the parents decide to hide the fact that the child is intersex from the child itself then the surgery and hormone therapy will happen without the patients knowledge. Surgery is done to make the genitalia appear more like that of the normal sex and hormone therapy is done to try to get the bodies of the patients to do what was necessary for physical health and psycho-social health (ex, getting the body to look sexually normal.) Lying to patients is unethical and bad practice, and often times patients that figured out what was going on stopped getting any medical help that they needed in order to stay healthy. Patients also dealt with large amounts of psychological damage because of how their bodies were treated by medical professionals and because they were seen as freakish or abnormal by their family and the medical community.

commercialized bodies

The theory that, through consumer capitalism, sellers often times mass-market the idea of the normal and attractive body in order to make profit. Importance: Because of the unrealistic body norms that are constantly shown in the media and in society, many people believe that their bodies are abnormal because they are unable to achieve it. A large amount of people tend to head towards diet plans and weight loss supplements in order to achieve this normal body, making the weight loss industries millions of dollars richer every year. Since these norms are so unachievable, many people end up with body dissatisfaction and self-worth issues. This causes many women and men to suffer from eating disorders and the feeling that they are not good enough.

Gender and social construction

There are certain masculine and feminine rules set up by society that every man and woman must follow. Importance: Unlike what we have been taught, gender is shaped by culture and history and is not inherent. Gender and the thought of gender is constantly changing. Cultural gender norms are ever-changing, the rules are always being rewritten.

Women's Washroom Problem

WWP: A study done by Ahn Tran who learned discovered that, while mens bathrooms are practically empty, women have to wait in long lines just to be able to use the restroom due to there not being enough stalls as there should be. Importance: Unlike men, women have to use the bathrooms more frequently and for longer periods of time because of periods and the fact that they have to sit down and go. As well, a lot of the time women are in charge of children who have to go to the bathroom as too. Women have began to combat this by demanding that female restrooms have more stalls than mens bathrooms because of how much faster it takes men to go to the washroom.

objectified bodies

When bodies are used and manipulated for other peoples pleasure. Importance: People often focus on something called the "male gaze." The male gaze is the idea that women are often posed for the erotic pleasure of men, this is the main argument brought up about objectification. Because of this objectification, many women deal with severe alienation. The idea that they will never achieve the body "norm" that is always glorified can lead to many different mental health and confidence issues

myths of control

When companies lead people to believe that they can control and prevent natural things that happen to everyone. Importance: Big companies such as anti-aging and medicinal companies manipulate people into believing that they can prevent things such as aging and wrinkles, illness, disability and even death. The people that are most vulnerable to this manipulation are those who are reluctant to admit aging and people who deal with fragile bodies and discomfort. These people are the first to reach for the anti-aging creams and the medication to help them feel better and look better.

Caring labour

Work that involves connecting with and caring for other people. Importance: Caring labour is a very female-dominated job as it involves taking care of people, help people meet their needs, and also involves caring for children and and the elderly. Because women are seen as having a more caring and kind nature, they are usually the ones who take up this job. Caring for sick people and teaching people is also a form of caring labour. Caring labour is different to other types of work because it doesn't pay as well as other jobs, therefore the people going into this occupation are going into it for other reasons besides the money.