Family and Gender: A Study of Gendered Society in Canada

Running head: GENDERED SOCIETY 1
Family and Gender
NAME
COURSE
UNIVERSITY/AFFILIATION

GENDERED SOCIETY 2
Introduction
Family and gender has experienced tremendous changes over the recent years across the
world. For instance, in Canada, most of the families were extended-based before colonization.
Also, there was gender complementarity (Siltanen & Doucet, 2017). However, patriarchal
authority started during colonial period. For example, only men were allowed to own property in
Canada. Apart from property ownership, men were also favored politically. Besides, in early 19th
century, most of the industries were men-oriented (Mitchell, 2017). Though, women assisted to
carry out some activities such as harvesting. Moreover, although women were not allowed to
mine but they were some few exceptions in some countries such as England where they worked
in pits. Furthermore, women were required to take care of children as well as cleaning houses in
Canada. However, in early 20th century, industrialization triggered several changes in gender. For
example, the roles played by a father declined drastically (Mitchell, 2017). The main aim of this
paper is to show that gendered society is still existing today.
Key terms: Family values, policies, workplaces, women’s work.
Summary of Piece of News
Article 1: Children’s toys: The Backlash against Pink and Blue Branding.
This article has focused on how children’s toys has increased the gap between boys and
girls in the United Kingdom (Levinson, 2018). Parents are working around the clock to ensure
that their children are growing in a gender-neutral environment. In 1970’s, Mum Trabue never
realized the role of pink and blue colors. However, she realized their significance when her son
rejected children’s magazine under the ground that it was for girls rather than boys. Nonetheless,
she also realized how cloth manufacturing companies have contributed greatly to gendered

GENDERED SOCIETY 3
society (Levinson, 2018). Afterwards, in 2012, she argued that children’s brands should consider
both genders especially in marketing as one of the members of Let Toys Be Toys campaign.
Apart from Trabue, Elizabeth Sweet from the United States said that the rate at which retailers
are marketing their toys basing on gender has increased greatly. According to Elizabeth Sweet,
the way in which the society viewed gender influenced children’s toys (Levinson, 2018).
Article 2: Nova Scotia Students will Soon be able to Mark their Gender as X at School
Currently, sex information is recorded from birth certificates. There is only two options F
and M for female and male respectively (Willick, 2019). Computer systems are used for storage
purposes. However, X option is expected to be introduced soon. Joanne Syms argues that
inclusive learning is one of the important aspects that contributes vastly to the overall success.
Grades 7-12 students will change their gender upon request. On the other hand, pre-primary kids
will be required to alter their gender only through their parent’s consent (Willick, 2019).
However, school can make informed decision in case the child and his parent have not agreed.
Kate Shewan claims that the change will impact positively as learning environment will be
enhanced.
Analysis
In the first article, Robin Levinson-King has discussed children’s toys in details. He has
expressed his concern on gendered society. Through marketing, retailers have increased gender
differences (Levinson, 2018). Hence, children believe that they are supposed to play with certain
toys. These toys are branded pink and blue. Apart from toys, clothes are also gendered. The
author has made several assumptions, for example, children’s decisions are only influenced by
marketing activities. I disagree with this assumption as parental guidance and media are equally