Title: 1.3 An example of gender norms in Canada
Course: Introduction to gender-based analysis plus GBA+ > Section: Module 1

Despite their increased participation in the Canadian workforce, women still act as the primary caregivers of both children and the elderly in the home. We assume women will be the main caregivers (in heterosexual couples) not because of their sex (biology), but because we see caregiving as part of their role as the female parent (socially defined in an assumed heterosexual couple), and a culturally-constructed association between femininity and nurturing.

The uneven burden of caregiving in Canada has economic and health outcome repercussions for women, including contributing to the gender-wage gap. In addition, policies that overlook the role of men as primary caregivers and nurturers perpetuate gender stereotypes that are harmful to men as well as women.