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Gender

Gender is about how society understands and expects people to behave based on being male, female, or other gender identities. I am a female. It is different from biological sex. Gender includes roles, expectations, and identities that are shaped by culture and society.

From a young age, people are often taught what is “appropriate” for boys and girls — how to act, dress, or even what careers to choose. These expectations are called gender roles, and they can limit people or create inequality.

Gender is not the same for everyone. Some people identify outside of traditional categories, such as non-binary or gender diverse individuals. This shows that gender is not fixed but can be experienced in different ways.

Gender inequality happens when people are treated unfairly because of their gender. For example:

women may face unequal pay or fewer leadership opportunities

men may face pressure to hide emotions

gender-diverse individuals may experience discrimination or exclusion

In social movements like Black Lives Matter, gender also matters. Black women, Black men, and gender-diverse people can experience racism differently. This is often explained using intersectionality, which looks at how different identities (like race and gender) overlap and shape people’s experiences.

Understanding gender helps us:

challenge stereotypes

respect different identities

recognize inequality

support a more inclusive society

Conclusion, learning about gender encourages us to think more critically about how society shapes people’s lives and how we can create fairness for everyone.

Moteleola O. Adetunji

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I identify as a woman She/Her
Growing up in a strict west Indian home as a girl meant gender roles and that you spent the majority of your years feeling like you were the head of the house.  I was only 7 standing on a chair cooking macaroni and cheese for my brothers, bathing them and washing up plates. My mother taught me that it was a woman's responsibility to ensure that she always acts like a lady and her husbands and children are settled before you begin your house chores. The men didn't have to lift a finger but it was my job to keep a clean house. As a result of this mentality my mother relied on me a lot and I began to resent her from a very young age. I would constantly tell my mother how much I hated being a girl and that being a girl wasn't fair. As a young girl you kind of felt like you had no identity and you were solely living to work and raise your siblings. I always felt like growing up being a woman wasn't fair, always taking care of the housework while my older brothers played and made more of a mess.
Now that I am older things have changed especially where gender roles are concerned. But if i am being honest being a Woman of color in Canada has its moments. Even here at Sheridan as a woman in my mind I feel an extra added pressure that I have to work harder, do better be stronger and run faster. It might not be your truth but its mine.
Overall i'm grateful to be a black woman in Canada that perceives and stands strong. I am accepted and at times treated fairly but I am a phenomenal woman.

Chantel R

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Gender identity at a personal level refers to experiences of living as a male being. There are various benefits and privileges associated with being a man (Shapiro, 2019). The male gender identity aligns with patriarchy power that aids in governing social and communal aspects over other people. Patriarchy power is where men are mandated to make rules and enforce them over the female gender (Dodsworth, 2019). Therefore, men have more privileges than women in a patriarchal society because of their gender identity.

Men have gender privileges that make them evade communal obligations or show ill-mannered behavior without being punished. The gender identity can be expressed using personal observations and analysis of societal issues that make men superior. For instance, a man in a monogamous marriage may have different sexual partners other than the legally married wife, but the community will not judge him. Communities generally accept men to have many sexual partners, but women are condemned or beaten for breaking the monogamous law. In such cases, men are not questioned, but women are perceived as poor partners offering conjugal rights.

Patriarchy power makes men more superior in controlling politics, property, social privileges, and morality. For instance, men have authority in managing the behavior of individuals in the community from personal observations on society. Men develop communal laws restricting individuals from showing unwanted behavior and upholding moral values. Female youths' immorality and abuse of drugs are issues presented to men to solve in communities. In this case, men determine the most appropriate punishment to give the offender, and the victims are not given opportunities to express their feelings or concerns. Therefore, every decision made by a man must be observed by women without questioning or declining.

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Gender identity is who I am as an individual (sex).

My name is Deborah, and I identify my gender as a female. Being a female in the country where I come from (Nigeria) has a big disadvantage on me as a woman, we are not given the full and ultimate privileges given to the male gender.

For example females in most families in Nigeria are not given the right to education they believe a woman belongs to the kitchen even when they are educated they are meant to be housewives, and those who get the opportunity to receive formal education and manage to graduate from university, find it difficult to get a job some even had to sleep their way through.

But there are also advantages enjoyed by the females in Nigeria, for example, women are given special attention and are mainly cared for and they usually receive the regards and respect from their family and society.

But since my arrival and the little time I have spent in Canada I can see that those disadvantages are less of an issue over here. For me, Canada has a lot of opportunities for females compared to Nigeria and now I can finally say am proud to be a female

Moses Deborah.

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Gender identity is someones understanding of his/her identity.

I identify myself a female. As a woman raised in a Nigerian culture i have been faced with certain gender inequality. Growing up we were meant to believe that a woman's place in only in the kitchen so when me and my sisters are cooking my brother would be exempted and allowed to play.

In Nigeria being a woman is at a disadvantage because we are referred as second-class citizens already. they see us as inferior .

There is a deep cultural belief in Nigeria that it is socially acceptable to hit a woman to discipline her or a man is allowed to marry more that 1 woman.

Living in Canada has opened my eyes to actually see the oppression we faced back. As a Canadian female, i would think that i am more privilege compared to when i lived in Nigeria and i have come to realize that everyone is treated the same here.

Chioma Ezera.

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My name is Jasleen (she/her), and my gender is a woman. I express my gender through femininity, which also indicates my status in society. By going against traditional femineity and roles set out for women, I have experienced oppression. For example, my decisions and capabilities have been challenged by others and ridiculed for taking actions such as shaving off half my hair. As a descendant of Indian culture, I am subjected to face patriarchal and sexist societal standards. Growing up I would not always have the same opportunities as my younger brother due to the fact that he would have more privilege as a man. As kids, my brother would be allowed to go out with his friends, however, I was not allowed to leave the house or meet my friends. The visible oppression and privilege were noticed quickly at a young age due to adults constantly enforcing sexist stereotypes. Gender stereotypes are ideals that commit to separating genders and assigning roles, tasks, and behaviours that a conservative society accepts. It is difficult as a woman to break free from the typical patriarchal standard, even so, I intend to confidently be myself.

- Jasleen Brar

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I grew up in a society that taught us to identify as female or male, anything else, you basically were an outcast.

My name is Cecille and I am a woman. My pronouns are she/her. I am also a woman of colour.

Growing up I loved to play in the dirt and rolling around in the grass. Things that were typical of "boyish" behaviours. I also loved to dress up in frilly dresses ( part of my generation) and typical wardrobe of a girl. When I didn't want to dress "like a girl" I would dress in what typically would be reserved for "boys" but with a girly flair.

I have always believed, it doesn't matter how we look, who we are, or how we identify, be you! We are all unique and this is what makes us all special.

As a woman and a woman of colour, I have had certain privileges...I was part of a group that checked certain boxes when looking for employment. For nearly 10 years I was the only person of colour in a company I worked at. While I was happy about that, it also made me sad because people would tip toe around me as not to offend me, which bothered me because it made me feel different. I learned to adapt and was able to change views and feelings.

I did however experience a wage gap, for another company I worked for and it was a manager that called me and let me know. My coworker and I had the same role and she came in a year after me and was making $10grand more. I knew I was leaving the company and that call helped me make my decision final.

In conclusion, it does not matter to me how a person identifies, I only see the person for who they are and present to the world. I embrace everyone!!!

Cecille

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Sexism is the stereotypes created against women, which leads into oppression, as well as the roles that society has designed to our gender.

I am a latin/hispanic women, 25 years old born and raised in México.

Because of my Background and culture, México is a country where the patriarchy is still a thing, that you have to handle with every day, inconsequently because of the stereotypes and roles created for our society, is common to se the man into a role as authority of the families and women into their role as a housewife to take care of their family.

This prejudices has lead to increase the discrimination against women, putting them in a challenge position in our society, in every level, such as work, education, access to some recurses and infinity of circumstances,

Me as part of this community can be part of the oppression because of sexism, when in my practices because im agricultural engineer and I had to lead with mostly men on that field, I had been designated to activities according to my sex, because im a women I can't get dirty, i can't be smart enough to give order, lead projects or being heard, because im so delicate to work with cows in the farmer, but I always ending up demonstrating for my and my colleagues that we can and we know what we have to do.

However, I cannot remember at this point if I have any privilege of sexism, if there has been some, it was in order to take advantage of my person because of the misogyny of some mens.

I am Women, Latin/Hispanic, proud of my roots and culture, and I know I'm able to achieve anything that I want, I deep believe on gender equity.

-Joseline Villeda Pozos

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Gender identity is defined as a person's conception of themselves as being male, female or both. Gender expression is defined as the way in which people present themselves. it may be in terms of clothing, behavior, hairstyle etcetera.
I identify as a female and use pronouns she/her.  I am proud of being a female.
Even in today's day and age, men and women are not treated equally at many places. I have observed a lot happening around me. People just believe males are superior and females cannot do certain tasks. People judge females based on their dressing sense. If males can wear any kind of clothes why not females? Why should females stop doing anything because people dont like it due to their male dominated thinking?  Some think women should only work at home not outside .This narrow thinking of the society has affected a lot of women. We are all equal. everybody has equal rights. I would like justice for everyone.

Rupanjot Kaur

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I am aware of all these terms, but to put an actual name to them is a learning experience for me. Sexism, of course, where a woman is treated differently. But the term, cicsexism, being treated different due to being trans, although I know it happens, this term is new to me. In addition, this system (patriarchy) that we have where old, white hetrosexual males, mainly gov't leaders/ MPP's make decisions for society has been around since the beginning of time. I can only speak to what I have experienced.  As a black woman, I certainly have been in situations where I have been on the receiving end of sexist jokes and comments.  I feel have been declined employment opportunities due to the way I look.  I feel that the "glass ceiling" is something that I will still have to face as I move into other positions with companies.  I think that it was more  "acceptable back in the day", but I feel so empowered that more voices is being amplified through movements like ME TOO. These movements are representing woman to show that these behaviours will no longer be tolerated.  We learn from the past, so let's ensure that future generations never have to go through what past generations have had to endure.  Looking at the other terms, hetrosexual, and patriarchy, everyone,  certainly including members of the LGTBQ+ should be treated as equals.  How society came to this notion that predominantly white, hetrosexual males seems to be creating "rules" as to what the "norm" for society looks like boggles my mind!  Progress is being made, but so much more work needs to be done.

- Karrol McBurnie

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Gender identity is defined as a persons understanding of being a male, female or both. On the other hand gender expression is how a person expresses their gender publicly which includes, their behavior, how they dress, body language, voice, etc.

My identity is a female and my pronouns are she/her. As a female, I realize that in the public eyes people see me as a female by the way I express my gender and I am proud to be a female. Furthermore, I think in society both identities has their own privileges. For instance, I realize that in being a female, it is more of a nurturing role and as for male, they enjoy being dominant. However, I understand that female has less privilege because they are deprived of lots of opportunities in which society view men as being masculine but, you have some women who are doing what men are suppose to be doing. For example, there are some single women who were in abusive relationships that had to leave and provide for their family on their own, are receiving lower incomes and less hours, also nurturing their children. And in a case where you have a complete family, women are still the backbone, keeping the family together emotionally and nurturing. However, there are different aspects of it.

-Lukannia Edwards

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gender identity is the ability which decides sex of a person whether ones is male, female or transgender. in this modern epoch, every people is given equality and rights in every field. Also, on basis of gender people are given different jobs like men are usually given the work which require physical strength and women are given work which require high thinking skills. but in earlier time women were not given equal status as like man and they were inferior and invaluable. but as thinking of people in changing they are given equal preference in every aspects.

Rohit

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Gender expression it is a way we express our gender to society through the way we refer ourselves (pronouns), dress, speech, etc.

In my opinion, I am happy that at least in today's society, people are able to express themselves more genuinely compared to 30 years ago where that may not be the case. Although people are more open to expressing themselves, we are still far away from equality. We still have a lot of things to do to let people's voices be heard without being judged or stepped on.

I identify as a man, and I understand my privilege being born as a male. I have seen the advantages and I have seen the disadvantages. In all honesty, it is sad that people are judged based on their gender. It is baffling to see that we are expected to act "normal", but what is normal? It is interesting how a person can be hated on and abused based on their gender.

I have seen sexism happen everywhere and one of the problems is that we don't allow people's voices to be heard without them being judged. How can we make change if we are not willing to listen? I feel sorry for anyone who has experienced inequality. Another problem I see in society is that we don't teach kids to express themselves: from the moment a child is born, we are slowly stereotyping them (e.g. buying things that are blue for boys and pink for girls).

In my experience with sexism, people have hated me because I was a man, and they have made generalized opinions by saying a man does this therefore you do will do it as well. I have been taught to act a certain way: I was told not to complain and not to express your feeling because showing a little emotion is not a masculine trait. I found this difficult when I went through a severe depression during my university years. It was hard for me to understand that it is okay to be sad, to ask for help and to feel all these emotions. This is why I feel knowledge is important: we will be more accepting if we are willing to learn. We should be allowed to express ourselves because not being able to do so means not being able to love ourselves, which will hinder our true potential.

- Justin Frando

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Making assumptions about people based on their apparent participation in a larger group, especially when that membership is unintentional and involuntary, is absurd at best and downright cruel at worst.

Discrimination based on gender might be benign, vicious, or pragmatic. There ARE legitimate reasons you might want to treat different groups of people differently too. There are genuinely true assumptions to be made.
Things like…

Men are insensitive

Women are weak

Men are strong

Women are emotional....etc.

EVEN IF such generalizations are the outcome of an individual's own experience, judging the individual based on a generalization is foolish, if not outright impudent.

Unfortunately, because humans are programmed to make generalizations, someone's perception of what information about a person or thing is associated with other information about a person or thing will act as the background for evaluating similar persons or things in the future.

To defend your mind against unwarranted, unsupported, and baseless group identity projections, you must have the will and discipline to do so.

It takes a lot of effort to see the world in a more differentiated way. When everyone says women are weak-minded, even though the women you know aren't, you can believe they're the exceptions and accept that women are weak-minded in general as a given - even though this is both incorrect and contradicts your own experience.
Many groups, including disadvantaged and minority groups, prefer to hold on to their current power and safety over wishing for new or better power and safety. Loss is scarier than gain, which is an evolutionary advantage since it reduces hazardous behavior in pursuit of potential rewards at the expense of losing what one already has.

All of this (and more) will ensure that we will have to deal with gender-based and other forms of prejudice for a long time unless we can find ways to address them at the psychological level.
Delvin Donet

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I identify as Female. If you were to look up the definition of a female it says "of or denoting the sex that can bear offspring or produce eggs." what is a female - Search (bing.com) But being a female is much more than that. According to society and their norms, females are solely for reproduction and care of the children, along with cleaning duties or house maintenance, and sexual pleasing of the man. But we are more than that society has made us think less of ourself but we do deserve to do the same as men. As a Female I do not have the same opportunities as the man. I am also partially Black, which means I have less opportunities and privilege compared to the white man or woman. I strongly feel as a Black woman I am over looked to have the same opportunities as everyone else in the same place in life as me. In society we are classified as emotional, crazy, needy, and annoying. Which in some cases are true but we shouldn't have to feel so outcasted. I have had so many opportunities in the job field as a young female for front-line cashier jobs but the minute they see me physically I'm not a fit for the position. So I deal with being a woman who is limited but also as a black woman who is also a single mother. I along with a few other single black mothers of 2 or more kids formed a mom group to support one another on the journey of being single moms and black. We formed this group due to all being in the same situations... Homeless, helpless, and struggling. While being ignored and pushed aside. So for all of us that was a getaway from the depression, anxiety, and stress that society claims women cause on their selves... Sometimes it feels like the world is against me I was depressed some nights, wouldn't get out of my bed or anything why? Because along with being a woman, black, and a single mother I deal with so many harsh comments and views from both family and friends so it has made an impact on me for sure. But I know for sure what I went through others have been through I went to a dark place many times I have anxiety as a result of bullying as a kid and teen, and in many ways as an adult. And yet again bullied to say my emotions were not called for and unprofessional when in a job. According to the US National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health in2015 11/100,000 Women commit suicide worldwide yearly. Imagine how many of them are within Canada let alone Ontario. I wanna break statistics and be an excellent example to my son and my nieces. I will be the first female in our family to graduate college. First family member to graduate college in decades. I don't want to let my struggles and battles define me and my goals. Thanks for reading :)

-Jaclin Annable

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Gender Identity  is described as one’s sense of realisation of weather one is male, female or trans gender. When an individual’s gender identity or biological sex by birth is not determined, the individual may consider oneself as some other trans gender category. Being a female myself I feel privileged in almost every aspect of my life but on the other hand it’s quite difficult for a female to standup bold in this male dominating world which is also referred to as patriarchy. It can experienced in many ways in our daily routine for example family name comes from men, or  those who live in a underdeveloped areas also believe that women should stay home and they can’t do a job or men can’t cook as cooking is considered as a women’s official work.
-Sehaj Dhaliwal

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I am a man. What does that mean? Historically that means that I, as a man, have more privilege and opportunity in this world strictly based on my sex. I accept that being male has privilege. That is unequivocally true. However, I feel the modern male has many issues and insecurities that get swept under the rug strictly because of our sex. Generally speaking, we are viewed by society as strong individuals who aren't supposed to show emotion and are supposed to "suck it up". Its how a lot of men around my age group were raised, for the most part. When I went through my depression, along with many other emotions, embarrassment, guilt, and shame were a few. Feeling ashamed that someone that looks like me, someone whose supposed to be a rock of a human and have all this opportunity and privilege, is locked in his bedroom day by day, week by week, month by month, crying and thinking really dark thoughts, and wanting to act on those thoughts. Nobody should ever have to feel that way. Nobody. According to the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, white men accounted for almost 70% of all suicides in America. That is an alarming statistic that should warrant more attention but doesn't. One of my many goals of becoming an SSW is to break that stigma that men shouldn't express their feelings and need to be a constant rock. I want to strive to teach my son and other young boys that it is healthy, brave, and courageous to express how you feel, no matter what anybody says.

-Kurtis Robinson

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Gender expression is the way one publicly expresses themselves by the way they dress, their appearance, their voice and many other ways to express gender identity. I identify as a female, and use the pronouns she/her. I love being a woman and being able to express myself by wearing the things I love, getting my hair and nails done. It makes me proud and feel beautiful. As a woman I have the opportunity to procreate and bear children, which is not only a privilege but but an honor. I have experienced patriarchy in my old workplace due to it being run by mostly men. I dealt with harassment in many forms and I always felt like my voice wasn't heard. A lot of the men didn't like the fact that I was working in a warehouse environment, because "women shouldn't be doing this kind of work". I always stayed quiet when harassed until the one time I spoke up and yelled and caused a scene then I was told "you're being too loud, keep it down". The inequality of how the women were treated differently then the men. I really started making a change after that and using my voice to do that. I am a woman and we are equal. I would just like justice for all kinds of genders and equality for all!!!!!

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Gender identity is the way in which a person expresses his/her gender whether ones is male, female or a transgender. Moreover, once they recognize their gender then they starts adapting different type of dresses, pronouns in order to glorify themselves in the society which is known as gender expression.

I identify as female and I think its very honourable position in my prospective. In my point of view, nowadays, women also lead in every prospect of life even it is a house work or a professional life. Instead of that, females are identify as expressing their emotions more likely as compared to males. On the otherhand, there are some major issues that is tolerate by the women such as mental torture, harassment and inferiority in the society therefore, I think in that case men get more privilege than women.

Futhermore, in my opinion, males are more likely pleased by the dominating factor and get more respect in society  from last decades which is referred as patriarchy. Because, according to the society males are more strong to work efficiently in every field of life but they always undermine that females are also the part of our life who support us emotionally and spiritually. However, in many underdeveloped nations, there are various circumstances where men        get high status whether it is related to family's name or working with any political authority.

Navjot Kaur

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Hello,my name is jaspreet kaur.I am female.Being a female is not easy in this society sometimes  women face harassments from their male dominant part or sometime society try to suppress them as a result there are many areas .But as a female I have always felt proud on my self and I feel proud on other as well there are many women who have made their family and their country feel proud on them.This gender inequality is still existing in a society because of narrow thinking of the society and I think these can only be removed from the society if females will take step for themselves on personal basis .These gender biases are not only within male and female but with other gender as well. They have to face alot while going out in society for making their career or getting jobs.
Jaspreet kaur

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My sex is female. My pronouns are she/her. What does that mean to me? It means there will be a struggle with gender equality. I am very proud to be the sex female. I enjoy the way my body works. I am proud of the strengths woman have. The chance and oppurtunity to give birth and become a mother is a privelage.
I have grown up with sex used against me as well on others. I accepted sexism used against me within work. It was demanded part of my role to expose myself in a very sexual manner. Me and many other woman working together dealt with consistent harrassment. It desensitized the word and made it part of my life. Harrassment was essentially overlooked in so many cases. Once said "If you don't like it, leave!"

I would like to see justice within the system and gender equity brought into society.