Glossary

Androgyny refers to gender expressions that encompass both femininity and masculinity. It can be expressed by any gender (man, woman, nonbinary person).

Cisgender refers to an individual whose gender identity aligns with the sex assigned at birth.

Cisnormativity refers to the idea that cisgender people (individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex assigned at birth) are the societal norm, and people who do not identify with their assigned sex are othered.

Cissexism refers to discriminating against an individual who is transgender and/or does not identify with their assigned sex, and viewing cisgender as "better" than being transgender.

Female refers to babies born with XX chromosomes, as well as female hormones and other things.

Femininity is a type of gender expression that often refers to cultural norms, appearance, and behaviours traditionally associated with women. However, femininity can be expressed by any gender (man, woman, nonbinary person).

Feminism is the belief that all genders should receive equal rights, protections, and opportunities. A feminist is someone who holds these beliefs and is committed to dismantling systems that keep people oppressed on the basis of gender.

Femme-conscious parenting refers to having awareness of femmephobia in daily practices and teaching children to value femininity.

Femme-consciousness refers to having an awareness of femmephobia and the capacity to actively challenge the devaluation and regulation of femininity.

Femmephobia is a prejudice against femininity and feminine expressions. It refers to the way that femininity is devalued and strictly controlled.

Gender refers to how people identify — it's more about their identity than their biology (e.g., woman/girl, man/boy, nonbinary person).

The gender binary refers to the idea that, based on the sex assigned at birth, females must be socialized into feminine women, and males are socialized into masculine men. The gender binary only acknowledges two gender options.

A term used to describe children (and sometimes adults) who explore and express gender in ways that move beyond the traditional gender binary, whether through play, clothing, interests, or identity. Gender creative children may gravitate toward femininity, masculinity, or both, without being confined to the expectations typically associated with their sex assigned at birth.

Gender expression refers to how someone expresses themselves in feminine, masculine, or androgynous ways. This could include the kind of clothes they wear, the activities they are interested in, speech and mannerisms, hair, makeup, or nail polish, among other things.

Hierarchy refers to a system of ranking individuals or groups in a way that privileges those at the top with greater power, status, or value, while devaluing and subordinating those lower down. In the context of gender, hierarchy manifests as the systematic elevation of boys, men, and masculinity over girls, women, and femininity — reinforcing the idea that masculine traits and roles are inherently more valuable or legitimate than feminine ones.

An approach that aims to avoid reinforcing gender stereotypes — for example, in clothing, toys, names, or parenting practices. However, as the workbook highlights, many so-called 'gender-neutral' options actually promote masculinity rather than true neutrality. For instance, blues and greens are considered acceptable clothing colours for all children, but pinks and purples are not, revealing that attempts at gender neutrality often devalue femininity.

Gender socialization refers to the process that "teaches" children how to behave in ways that society says are the right way for girls or boys to behave.

Gender-based violence or GBV refers to a violent act being committed based on someone's gender, gender expression, or perceived gender. This can range from the objectification of women and sexual assault to jokes that target members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Gender-neutral parenting refers to parents and caregivers attempting to minimize the negative effects of the gender binary and gender socialization on their kids by not restricting toys, clothing, or activities.

The assumption that heterosexuality is the default, normal, or preferred sexual orientation. In the context of gender socialization, heteronormativity means that children who are seen as 'properly' masculine boys or feminine girls are automatically assumed to be heterosexual. This assumption is deeply embedded in how society teaches children about gender roles and relationships.

Homophobia refers to the prejudice against lesbians and gay people.

Intersectionality refers to how our various social identities intersect in ways that position us as either in dominant (privileged) or marginalized (oppressed) positions.

Intersex refers to babies born with XXY chromosomes, or other hormonal/genital states that are neither distinctly male nor female.

An acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (or Questioning), with the '+' sign recognizing the limitless sexual orientations and gender identities that exist. In Canada, the expanded acronym 2SLGBTQI+ is often used, placing Two-Spirit at the front to honour Indigenous identities and also including Intersex.

Male refers to babies born with XY chromosomes, as well as male hormones and other things.

Man/boy is a gender or gender identity. It's more about identity than biology.

Masculinity is a type of gender expression that often refers to cultural norms, appearance, and behaviours traditionally associated with men. However, masculinity can be expressed by any gender (man, woman, nonbinary person).

Misogyny is how society punishes women for stepping outside traditional gender roles. Philosopher Kate Manne calls it the "law enforcement branch" of patriarchy, because it works to keep people "in their place."

Nonbinary is a type of gender or gender identity. A nonbinary person doesn't identify as a man or a woman. It's more about their identity than their biology.

Patriarchal femininity refers to society's "ideal" version of femininity — a type of femininity that follows the "rules" and "norms" of WHO can be feminine and "HOW."

Patriarchy refers to the social system in which men hold more power, influence and control than women.

A term describing someone (typically a girl or woman) who distances themselves from femininity in order to gain approval or validation, often from men. As discussed in the workbook, this is related to the 'cool girl' trope — someone who is depicted as being unlike 'other girls' who focus on 'silly' (i.e., feminine) things. The 'Pick Me Girl' phenomenon is rooted in femmephobia, where femininity is devalued and rejecting it becomes a strategy for social acceptance.

A preconceived judgment, opinion, or attitude directed toward people based on their membership in a particular group. Prejudice is a set of attitudes that supports, causes, or justifies discrimination. It involves making assumptions about individuals based on stereotypes rather than their actual characteristics or behaviour.

Princess Culture refers to children's engagement [or obsession] with movies, clothes, toys, and pretend-play focused on princesses and princess stories.

The way a person perceives and defines themselves, including the roles, beliefs, values, and qualities they consider central to who they are. Self identity is shaped by both internal reflection and external influences such as socializing agents, cultural norms, and personal experiences. It is closely related to how individuals understand their own gender, as gender socialization plays a significant role in shaping self-perception from an early age.

Sex refers to chromosomes we are born with (as well as hormones and other things) and whether someone is assigned female, male, or intersex at birth.

The gender label (male or female) given to a baby at birth, typically based on the appearance of external genitalia or chromosomal testing. Babies with Y chromosomes are assigned male at birth, while babies with XX chromosomes are assigned female at birth. This assignment sets the process of gender socialization into motion, as expectations about how the child should look, behave, and be treated begin immediately.

Sexism is the belief that one gender (men) is better or more natural than others. It shows up in unfair rules, roles, advantages, or expectations that limit people based on their gender.

Sexuality refers to the sex/gender of the people someone is attracted to in a sexual or romantic way (e.g., your sexual identity may be lesbian, bisexual, gay, straight/heterosexual).

Sissy-boy/Sissy is a derogatory term used for feminine boys and men.

Social identities refer to our social locations — such as our race, culture, gender, age, ability, and sexual orientation. These "social" identities intersect and work together to shape our experiences of the world (See "intersectionality").

The people, things, or groups that play a role in teaching and reinforcing societal norms and expectations — including gender norms. As the workbook explains, socializing agents are 'all around us, making sure we are on the right path,' and they work to uphold the gender binary. Examples include parents, peers, teachers, media, religious institutions, and cultural traditions.

Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Stereotypes are the negative and positive beliefs we hold (often passed down to us) about the traits, attitudes, and behaviours of people who belong to particular groups — like racial groups, ethnic groups, religious groups, and gender groups (women, men, and nonbinary people).

A complex, intricate combination of things woven together.

A term traditionally used to describe a girl or young woman who exhibits behaviours and traits typically associated with boys or men in a given culture — such as rough play, interest in sports, or preference for non-feminine clothing. While the label can feel empowering, it is rooted in femmephobia: being a 'tomboy' is often socially rewarded because it means moving away from femininity, which is devalued. The term can also provide a temporary social 'protection' for girls, but reinforces the idea that masculine traits are more worthy of respect.

Toxic masculinity refers to cultural norms and behaviours traditionally associated with masculinity that can be harmful to men, masculine people, and society. It involves accepting rigid and narrow definitions of masculinity that emphasize traits such as suppressing emotions, dominance and aggression, sexual prowess, stoicism, homophobia, and misogyny.

Transgender refers to a person who does not identify with the sex they were assigned at birth.

Transphobia refers to the prejudice against transgender people.

Woman/girl is a gender or gender identity. It's more about their identity than their biology.

The pair of sex chromosomes typically associated with female biological development. Babies with XX chromosomes are assigned female at birth. The presence of XX chromosomes is one of the biological markers used to determine sex assigned at birth, which then triggers the process of gender socialization.

A sex chromosome typically associated with male biological development. Babies with a Y chromosome (XY pair) are assigned male at birth. Like XX chromosomes, the Y chromosome is one of the biological markers used to determine sex assigned at birth, initiating the process of gender socialization based on the assigned sex.