Canadian Gender History

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer examines how notions of masculinity in Canada have changed perceptibly over time. As a line of demarcation, the paper looks at how masculinity was perceived in the pre-World War II period, and the notions of masculinity that have emerged from 1946 onward - if only gradually. In so doing, the paper reviews traditional (pre-1939) notions about men being only worthy of the title of a man if they were willing combatants and providers, as well as how men today are now expected (and encouraged) to also be nurturers and care-givers. The writer presents a general idea that men are being pressured into becoming more feminine in their world-view even if Canadian society (at least in the matter of men as nurses) still harbors some sexual stereotypes that instinctively rebel at the thought of men fulfilling certain tasks.

From the Paper:

"Reviewing the Canada that existed before the advent of World War II, the idea that men should stand and fight - whether for principle, for honor, or for love - was not one dismissed lightly. Without question, it was expected of a man that he would not lightly take an insult or slur cast his way. For instance, tavern fights were quite common in nineteenth century Canada and the masculine code of the era dictated that a man who backed down from a challenge was, for all intents and purposes, relieving himself of some of his manhood. What would be interesting to find out - although this writer had difficulty finding appropriate scholarly sources - is whether the average term of imprisonment for assault and battery offenses was higher in the pre-World War II era than it was, and is, in the post-World War II epoch. The reason why this is a significant matter deserving of further exploration is because new information might offer fascinating insight into how the judicial elites of the age (and all of those residing within the Canada of the time who wielded socio-political power) tacitly encouraged - or at least did not actively discourage - male violence. More than that, it would be especially interesting to find out how cases of violence that involved the "upper-crust" were treated relative to instances of violence that involved only the "plebeians" of early Canadian society."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Evans, J.A. Cautious Caregivers: Gender Stereotypes and the Sexualization of Men Nurses' Touch." Journal of Advanced Nursing, 40, vol.4 (2002): 441-448.
• Kossuth, K.B. "Fighting it out in Nineteenth Century Upper Canada/Canada West: Masculinities and Physical Challenges in the Tavern," Journal of Sport History, 27, no.3 (2000):
• Kwong, Marilyn J., Kim Bartholomew, and Donald G. Dutton. "Gender Differences in Patterns of Relationship Violence in Alberta," Canadian Journal of Behavioral Science, 31, no.3 (1999): 150-160.
• McLaren, Angus. The Trials of Masculinity: Policing Sexual Boundaries, 1870-1930. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1997 <http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=98509512> (accessed April 17, 2007).
• Pederson, Patricia, and Cheryl D. Thomas. "Prevalence and Correlates of Dating Violence in a Canadian University Sample." Canadian Journal of Behavioral Science, 24, no.4 (1992): 490-501.

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