Canadian Definition of Gender Essay

Introduction

The definition of gender in Canada changed over time and the different groups had a different perspective on the same. A myriad of issues characterized the gender issues in Canada. The Canadian feminism similar to the modern western feminism that took place in other countries helped to shape the definition of gender. The Canadian feminism transpired in four waves. In each of the waves that will assist to understand the definition of gender in Canada over time, it was characterized by social change and intense activism. The LGBT rights also aided in the change of the gender definition. The different group's quest for inclusion over time has helped to push for changes to bring forth equality. The paper shall provide extensive details regarding gender, how it has changed over time, how we see gender in more recent decades, how the LGBT and feminist movements assisted in changing gender's definition in Canada.

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Feminist and LGBT Movements Help to Change the Definition of "Gender"

The four waves in the feminist movement form a crucial part in improving the understanding of gender in Canada. The first wave happened in the 19th and 20th century. The movement at this time was agitating for equality in gender. The activism had a focus to increase the role of the women in the public life. The movement had the goals such as increased property rights, women's suffrage, increase education access and also the recognition of the female as "persons" as prescribed under the law (Rowbotham, 2013). At this point during the first wave, the women were depicted and defined as natural caregivers as well as "mothers of a nation" who ought to participate actively in the public life and not just be in the periphery. The women in their movement for change engaged in missionary activities, for instance, Woman's Christian Temperance Church (WCTU). Women through activism and even the early organizing were able to significantly influence gender's definition from the depiction of the women just as natural caregivers to people who can compete at level ground with the men (Bhattacharjya, Birchall, Caro, Kelleher & Sahasranaman, 2013). Through Religion when women got the rejection from the churches, they began their own. They mobilized funds to train as well as send the women missionaries abroad.

The women organization through the establishment of religious platforms that were a proper means through which they were able to advocate for social change helped to shape the opinions with regards to gender. From the 1880s to 1920, the women were making tremendous inroads into other professions other religious activities (Rowbotham, 2013). The occupations that the women joined include public health, journalism, social work, and teaching. The first woman who successfully graduated with a bachelor's degree was known as Grace Annie Lockhart in the British Empire. The major milestone helped to change the narrative that the men had the upper hand. The significant achievement by Lockhart brought forth a clear illustration of the justice in the claim by women to have full rights with regards to higher education. All of this happened to bring equality in the rights as espoused for both the women and men in Canada. In 1893 the women in their efforts established a Canadian National Council for the women to bring together the different representatives of the different groups of women (Rowbotham, 2013). In 1910 the women endorsed suffrage in their national council, and they indicated that had an indispensable role in the society to play; therefore, they ought to have the participation rights to elect the leaders they wanted in government. There were limited franchises given to the women such as in 1884 in Canada whereby women in Ontario got granted the voting rights in municipal elections.

Another critical point for the women in changing gender's definition is where the famous five women lodged a petition through the federal cabinet to the Canadian Supreme Court. In 1928 in the interpretation of whether women were "persons" for purposes of gender whereby the men were the only ones recognized under the law as interpreted at the time by Supreme Court (Rowbotham, 2013). The interpretation was that women were not "person" according to section 24; therefore, could not get appointed to Senate. The women lodged an appeal and the ruling at that time informed that "persons" refers to female and male sex. The ruling sought to assert and define gender, and it was a significant success for the women.

The definition of the gender roles in the second wave brought forth new consciousness for women and also their place in the public life. There was an inquiry on the women gender status in the organization to have equal rights. The women assisted in World War II and afterward they did just as the government wanted them to do to go back to their homes. After the war in the 1950s to 1970s, the women joining the workforce went up. In 1970 in their bid to achieve equality and a fair definition of gender the Royal Commission was formed to deal with women status. The commission started to function in 1967 and held public sessions. National Action committee formation was as a result of the frustration meted against women, particularly with recommendations from Royal commission not acted upon (Rowbotham, 2013). In 1977 the Canadian Human Rights Act was brought into action and gave all humans their basic rights. By gender, the act was clear with regards to no discrimination based on religion, sex or race.

The fourth wave took place between the 1980s to the present times. The resurgence of the gender issues was associated closely with social media. The focus was on violence and women sexual harassment. In Canada in 2016 in May an attempt to change the Canadian anthem to be neutral on gender and it passed (Rowbotham, 2013). The women over time have played very critical roles to create equality in the gender. They also join the transgender people, the lesbians, and gays in seeking the equality.

The LGBT movement also significantly assisted in changing the division of gender. In Canada, the modern gay liberation movement in the 1970s began in North America. In the 1969 summer, the unprecedented stonewall riots after the police had tried to raid a popular gay bar whereby the people fought back, and the police got humiliated. The movement after that gained momentum in Canada. In the fight for the LGBT rights, they were seeking recognition and inclusion that led to the rise of the gender rights. The most significant episode in Canada is that one of 1978 (Rowbotham, 2013). The Pink Triangle Press got charged having possession materials that were obscene and ready to distribute that was a response to a pederasty article the "Men Loving Boys Loving Men." In the 1970s two legislative changes were significant whereby Quebec in 1977 amended the human rights code that prohibited the discrimination of a person's sexual orientation (Rowbotham, 2013). During that period there was an amendment on the Canadian Immigration Act to lift a ban on gay men prohibition from entering as immigrants.

The LGBT movement in Canada in their undertakings to achieve equality in law and also gender won major victories in court. Canada repatriated in 1982 its constitution and adopted Charter of Freedoms and Rights that afterward became a significant basis for equality decision moving into the future. The agitation assisted in helping the transgender women and men also to have a considerable base for seeking recognition as an equal gender. The gender definition expanded in 1995 when the Canadian Supreme Court gave a ruling that ruled that the charter's section 15 that guarantees equal protection and equal benefits with regards to the law should include the sexual orientation; however, it did not name specifically under the section (Rowbotham, 2013). During 1950s-1970s and 1980s-present there have been many changes that have come forth through the LGBTQ movement. The transgender people today are fighting for recognition on official documents because of what they identify as equality. The LGBT movement has significantly changed the meaning of gender from what it was initially, particularly in respect to the roles for women and men to the transgender Canadians (Scheim & Bauer, 2015).

Sex and Gender in More Recent Decades

Gender and sex in the recent decades get identified and seen in a different light. There is recognition of the same-sex marriages and relationships. Recently the change in the national anthem to become inclusive was supported by a majority. Today in Canada there is a quest for equality in all fronts. There is no discrimination upon the women, and any issues that arise are dealt with to bring equality. Today in Canada gender has gone beyond being just for the women and men. In the agitation for the LGBT rights the people today hold a significant shift in ideas, and the transgender people also seek recognition in their official documents (Scheim & Bauer, 2015). They are already protected under the constitution because it seeks to promote equality in religion, race or even sexual orientation. Today as compared to the past where men were considered more superior to women even under the law to the extent that women were not recognized as "persons" represents a different scenario whereby even beyond women and men there are the transgender people. The issues of gender today have changed it is no longer about women looking for equality and recognition rather it is the transgender people who are seeking the full recognition under Canadian law.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Canada sets an example in the incorporation of all the people in the society, in this case, concerning the transgender people and the women rights. Gender definition in the different groups has changed, and there is an improvement with regards to the promotion of equality. The people today in Canada as compared to the past when they held a hard stance with regards to the gender issues are open to the change which has even seen a change in the people's opinions. Today Canada has achieved a lot in defining gender through legislation.

References

Bhattacharjya, M., Birchall, J., Caro, P., Kelleher, D., & Sahasranaman, V. (2013). Why gender matters in activism: feminism and social justice movements. Gender & Development, 21(2), 277-293.

Rowbotham, S. (2013). Women in Movement (Routledge Revivals): Feminism and Social Action. Routledge.

Scheim, A. I., & Bauer, G. R. (2015). Sex and gender diversity among transgender persons in Ontario, Canada: results from a respondent-driven sampling survey. The Journal of Sex Research, 52(1), 1-14.