Canadian Studies · Grade 10 · Women's Rights & Social Change · Term 3

Gender Equality Today & Intersectional Feminism

Assessing the current state of gender equality and intersectional feminism.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• ON: Canada since 1982 - Grade 10
• ON: Social, Economic, and Political Context - Grade 10

About This Topic

The role of women in the Canadian workforce has undergone a dramatic shift over the last century. This topic traces the evolution from the temporary entry of women into industrial jobs during the world wars to the permanent and diverse presence of women in all sectors of the economy today. Students examine the barriers that women have faced, including the 'marriage bar' that forced women to leave their jobs once they married, and the ongoing struggle for pay equity.

The curriculum focuses on the impact of social and legal changes, such as the introduction of maternity leave and human rights legislation that prohibits gender-based discrimination. Students investigate the 'glass ceiling' and the challenges of balancing work and family life. This topic benefits from analyzing labor statistics and collaborative investigations into the history of specific professions. Students grasp the complexity of workplace equality faster through peer-led discussions and by investigating the current state of the gender pay gap in Canada.

Key Questions

1. Assess Canada's current progress towards achieving full gender equality.
2. Explain the concept of intersectional feminism and its importance in contemporary movements.
3. Identify and prioritize the most pressing gender equality issues for young Canadians today.

Learning Objectives

• Evaluate the extent to which Canada has achieved gender equality by analyzing current statistics and historical trends.
• Explain the principles of intersectional feminism and apply them to analyze contemporary social justice movements in Canada.
• Identify and prioritize the most critical gender equality issues facing young Canadians today, justifying their choices with evidence.
• Critique existing policies and societal structures in Canada for their impact on gender equality, considering diverse experiences.
• Synthesize information from various sources to propose actionable solutions for advancing gender equality in specific Canadian contexts.

Before You Start

Canadian Social Movements and Activism

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of how social movements operate and advocate for change to analyze contemporary gender equality movements.

Diversity and Inclusion in Canada

Why: Prior knowledge of Canada's diverse population and the concept of inclusion is necessary to grasp the complexities of intersectional feminism.

Human Rights in Canada

Why: Understanding the evolution and application of human rights legislation provides context for assessing progress towards gender equality.

Key Vocabulary

Gender Equality	The state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision-making.
Intersectional Feminism	A framework for understanding how various social and political identities, such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation, overlap and create unique systems of discrimination or disadvantage.
Gender Pay Gap	The average difference between the remuneration for men and women who are employed, often expressed as a percentage of men's earnings.
Systemic Discrimination	Policies, practices, or norms embedded within institutions that result in differential treatment or outcomes based on gender or other identity factors.
Allyship	The practice of working in solidarity with members of marginalized groups, using one's own privilege to advocate for equity and justice.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Women only started working outside the home in the 1960s.

What to Teach Instead

Women have always worked, but their labor was often unpaid (on farms or in the home) or in low-paid 'female' sectors like domestic service or textiles. Peer research into 'women's work' before the 1960s helps students see the long history of women's economic contribution.

Common Misconception

The gender pay gap is just because women choose lower-paying jobs.

What to Teach Instead

While job choice is a factor, the gap also exists within the same professions and is driven by systemic issues like the 'motherhood penalty' and unconscious bias. Using a 'Root Cause' analysis helps students understand the complexity of pay inequality.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Workforce Timeline

In small groups, students create a timeline of women's participation in the workforce, identifying key moments like the world wars, the 1970 Royal Commission, and the introduction of pay equity laws. They discuss the factors that drove these changes.

45 min·Small Groups

Stations Rotation: Barriers and Breakthroughs

Set up stations on the 'marriage bar,' the fight for maternity leave, and the first women in traditionally male professions (e.g., law, medicine, trades). At each station, students identify the specific obstacles women faced and how they were overcome.

45 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share: The Gender Pay Gap Today

Students look at current data on the gender pay gap in Canada across different industries. They discuss with a partner why they think the gap still exists and what further changes are needed to achieve true pay equity.

25 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Young women in STEM fields, such as engineering or computer science in Toronto, continue to face challenges related to the gender pay gap and underrepresentation in leadership roles, despite increased access to education.
• Indigenous women in remote communities across Canada may experience compounded disadvantages due to the intersection of gender, race, and geographic isolation, impacting access to healthcare and economic opportunities.
• The #MeToo movement in Canada highlighted how experiences of sexual harassment and assault can vary significantly based on a person's industry, race, and social standing, demonstrating the need for an intersectional approach to justice.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Considering intersectional feminism, what are the top two gender equality issues facing young Canadians today, and why are they the most pressing?' Facilitate a class debate where students must support their prioritized issues with evidence and explain how different identities intersect to create these challenges.

Quick Check

Provide students with a short case study describing a hypothetical scenario involving gender inequality (e.g., a workplace promotion decision). Ask them to identify at least two intersecting factors (e.g., gender, race, disability) that might influence the outcome and explain how they contribute to the inequality.

Exit Ticket

On an index card, have students write one specific policy or societal norm in Canada that they believe hinders gender equality. Then, ask them to briefly explain how this issue might disproportionately affect individuals with intersecting marginalized identities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the 'marriage bar'?

It was a common practice in many Canadian workplaces (including the civil service and teaching) until the mid-20th century that required women to resign from their jobs as soon as they got married, based on the belief that their primary role was in the home.

When was maternity leave introduced in Canada?

The first federal maternity leave legislation was passed in 1971, providing 15 weeks of paid leave through the unemployment insurance system. This was a major victory for the women's movement and helped women stay in the workforce after having children.

What is pay equity?

Pay equity, or 'equal pay for work of equal value,' is the principle that jobs traditionally held by women should be paid the same as jobs traditionally held by men if they require similar levels of skill, effort, and responsibility.

How can active learning help students understand women in the workforce?

Active learning strategies, such as investigating the workforce timeline and analyzing pay gap data, help students understand the systemic and social forces that shape women's economic lives. By engaging with the history of barriers and breakthroughs, students move beyond seeing workplace equality as a 'finished' goal to seeing it as an ongoing process. This hands-on approach fosters a deeper understanding of the importance of economic justice and the role of policy in achieving it.