This text is designed for Introduction to Gender Studies courses, Introduction to Women's Studies courses, and
community colleges and universities offering an Introduction to Sociology of Gender course.
Matthews/ Beaman's Exploring Gender in Canada: A Multi-Dimensional Approach, 1st edition is an intriguing, accessible
text containing informative and provocative subject matter designed to engage students without overwhelming them.
Guest essays from prominent Canadian scholars working in the area, and brief chapters highlighting areas of interest,
leave room for individual professors to develop their own focal points.
In addition to the basic introduction to the subject area, this text contains four sections that link to the four
major levels on which gender operates in our society: individual, interactional, institutional, and sociocultural.
While the focus of this book is primarily on gender in Canadian society, the authors have drawn in examples and
discussion from a global perspective where appropriate. The four levels are introduced and then short subsequent
chapters expand on the key issues.
Table of Contents
1. Exploring Gender. A Multi-Dimensional Approach
Sex or Gender?
The Gender Perspective. Multiple Dimensions
Gender on the Socio-Cultural Dimension
Gender on the Individual Dimension
Gender on the Interactional Dimension
Gender on the Institutional Dimension
Chapter summary. key points
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
SECTION ONE. Gender on the Socio-cultural Level
2. Lenses of Gender
Biological Sex Differences
Measurement Issues
Overlapping Normal Curves and Gender Polarization
Gender Inequality
Feminist Gender Lenses
The Backlash Lens
Conclusion
Chapter summary. Key points
Key Words
Discussion Topics
3. Shaping the Socio-Cultural Landscape. Stereotypes and Normative Expectations
Stereotypes, Roles , and Expectations
Status Expectations Theory
Gender-Based Normative Expectations. Masculinities
Guest Essay. Anthony Synnott
Gender-Based Normative Expectations. Femininities
Conclusion
Chapter summary. Key points
Key Words
Discussion Topics
4. Shaping the Socio-Cultural Landscape. Language and Media
Language
i. Invisibility
ii. Belittling, Deprecating Language
Guest Essay. Melanie Muise
Media
i. Cultivation Theory
ii. Encoding and Decoding Mediated Messages
iii. Content Analysis
Case Study. Computer Games
Chapter Summary. Key Points
Key Words
Discussion Questions
SECTION TWO. Gender on the Individual Dimension
5. Being Gendered. Childhood and Adolescence
Socialization
Theories
i. Social learning theory
ii. Cognitive Development
iii. Gender Schema Theory
iv. Identity Construction
Learning Gender. Family
Learning Gender. School
Learning Gender. Peers
Case Study. Adolescent Girls, Peers, and Appearance
Chapter Summary. Key Points
Key Words
Discussion Questions
6. Gender in Adulthood and Late Life
Adulthood
Late Life
i. Defining Old
ii. Being Old in Canada. Demographic Patterns in the Early 21st Century
iii. Social Aging. Transition to Retirement
iv. Social Aging. Adapting to Widowhood
Guest Essay. Deborah K. van den Hoonaard
Chapter Summary. 10 Key Points
Key Words
Discussion Questions
7. Intersections
Matrix of Intersectionality
Other and identity
Guest Essay. Tanya Titchkosky
Understanding Intersections. Medicine as Case Study
i. Study 1. ADHD
ii. Study 2. Eugenics
Chapter Summary. 10 Key Points
Key Words
Discussion Questions
Dramaturgical analysis
Status expectations theory
Two worlds approach
Doing Gender. Friendships
Chapter Summary. Key Points
Key Words
Discussion Questions
9. Sexualities
A Brief Historical Snapshot
How Do we Become Sexual?
Acting Outside the Scripts
Guest Essay. Gayle MacDonald
Chapter Summary. 10 Key Points
Key Words
Discussion Questions
10. Negotiating Power
Holding Power
Power Relations
Guest Essay. Joanne Fiske
Women and Men in Conversation
Violence Against Women
Cultural Icons and the negotiation of Power
Conclusions
Chapter Summary. Key Points
Key Words
Discussion Questions
SECTION FOUR. Institutions 11. Families
Demographic Patterns
Rise and Fall of the Two Sphered Family
Gendered Division of Labour in Families
Intensive Mothering
Guest Essay. Rod Beaujot
Conclusion
Chapter Summary. Key Points
Key Words
Discussion Questions
12. Paid Work
Gender Patterns of Work and Wages
Explaining the Patterns
i. Biological Differences
ii. Dual labour market
iii. Human capital
iv. Occupational Segregation
Redressing Inequities. Possible Solutions
Guest Essay. Muriel Mellow
Conclusion
Chapter Summary. Key Points
Key Words
Discussion Questions
13. Law
The Person�s Case. Gender and Law in Historical Context
Responses to Law. Possibility for Change
Violence Against Women. A simple solution
A Case Study. Reference re Same Sex Marriage
Charter of Rights and Gender
Guest Essay. Rebecca Johnson
Women in Law Related Profession
Chapter Summary. Key Points
Key Words
Discussion Questions
14. Religion
Religious Institutions and Gender
Women, Men, and Religious Practice
The Emergence of Wicca
Gender and New Religious Movements
The Hijab as a symbol of gender scripts
The Debate about Polygamy
Violence Against Women. Religion in Action
Guest Essay. Nancy Nason Clark
Conclusions
Chapter Summary. Key Points
Key Words
Discussion Questions
SECTION FIVE. Conclusion 15. Connecting the Levels. Crime as Case Study
Individual Dimesion. Good Girls and Boys will be Boys
Socio-cultural Dimension
Interactional Dimension
Institutional Dimension
Conclusions
Chapter Summary. Key Points
Key Words
Discussion Questions
