Natanel also believes in resisting GENDER RELATIONS (a) the process of becoming the conditions of precarity as does IN CANADA: gendered Misato Matsuoka who underlines INTERSECTIONALITIES (b) the dichotomization of sex and gender the challenges and satisfactions of AND SOCIAL CHANGES “staying in academia” especially as a (c) the development of hege- monic gender researcher who is working abroad. In Janet Siltanen and Andrea Doucet (d) doing/undoing/performing conclusion, the editors, Thwaites and Toronto: Oxford University Press, gender, (e) gender inequalities Pressland, believe that “being a femi- 2017 nist adds another layer of complexity with regards to paid/unpaid to concerning changes in academia” reviewed by emma posca work and they hope the readers of this (f) the way that gendered ex- book feel empowered by its content. periences become articulated. The stories told about lived expe- Siltanen and Doucet begin this book riences of people in different cultural with the introduction to the major The authors expand on the aspects, settings and in different spectrums theme of gender to refer to socially complexities, and contributions of of the early career category allow produced differences between men intersectionality on gender while similarities to be drawn within the and women. Major concepts such simultaneously unpacking the academic setting in a global perspec- as the ambiguity, assignment, iden- limitations of intersectionality and tive, even if most examples are from tity, and binary of gender are linked addressing whether this concept is a “Western” perspective. The editors to the concept of intersectionality. considered a theory, method and/or recognize this blind spot and believe Major social, political, and economic research practice. more research needs to be done in forces that intersect with class, race, Chapter One, entitled “The So- the Global South on these questions dis/ability, sexual orientation, body ciology and the Analysis of Gender in order to provide more knowledge size, language, and immigration Relations,” is where the authors and differential perspectives on this status, as discussed by the authors, set out the three historical and important issue. In my opinion, shape these gendered concepts and sociological shifts in the sociology this book conveys an inclusive and structures in Canada. Siltanen and of understanding gender as a way stimulating vision of how feminisms Doucet use intersectionality via so- to make sense of the historical and can forge new forms of resistance and ciological and feminist frameworks conceptual changes in thinking about existence within academia. It is a great to be able to explain the complexities gender relations. All three insights pedagogical resource for feminist of gender inequality and oppression are presented using the following methodology seminars. that exist in Canadian society. They four main points to understand “socially place specific configurations gender as (a) a social construction; Isabelle LeBlanc is a Ph. D. candidate on intersectionality to understand (b) realization in social structures and in sociolinguistics in New Brunswick, the operations of inequality and institutions; (c) relation to power and Canada. Her work focuses on the oppression in a more exact fashion.” inequality; and (d) that gender(s) are intersection between language and The authors outline the purpose of criticized. The first sociological shift gender in Acadian identity discourses. the book in relation to intersection- sets the scene for the early develop- She mostly examines the gender and ality as “exploring and assessing the ments about gender being a social language ideologies reproduced in theory, research, and practice about construction that “distinguished highly educated women’s discourses, the analysis of gender.” between ascriptive and achieved but she also works on Acadian queer Siltanen and Doucet use this characteristics and identified gender identity discourses as a way to analyze book to present a roadmap of the as the former.” The authors’ refer- new forms of discursive gender regimes major developments in sociological ence to terms such as compulsory within minority groups in Canada. thinking regarding gender since the heterosexuality and patriarchy, when 1970s, the impact of intersectionality presenting the ideas behind the first on gender, while using a feminist the- shift, draws attention to the existence ory approach. Throughout the book, of traditional gender roles in a system they highlight the important aspects of male dominance that relates to and complexities of the sociological power and inequality. This is further and feminist work on gender in the enhanced when Siltanen and Doucet following ways: cite sociological theorists Himmani

240 CANADIAN WOMAN STUDIES/LES CAHIERS DE LA FEMME Bannerji and Sherene Razack along provide the historical and sociological Butler, who is a leading feminist with feminist scholar Meg Luxton in definitions of sex and gender to set thinker on gender, is referenced by the their presentation of the second shift the scene historically, while simulta- authors to unpack the construction to accent the existence of categories neously essentializing for the reader of gendered identities and gendered and binaries of “men and women.” the identification of gender and sex differences that exist in social and By using sociological postmodern dichotomies. Siltanen and Doucet cultural formations. “Hetero-nor- and post-structural approaches that aim to develop an understanding mativity was introduced to name are steeped in feminist theory, Silt- that social forces shape how gender, the promotion of heterosexuality anen and Doucet demonstrate to the biological sex, and sexuality are lived, as normal sexuality in a variety of reader the impact and experiences of understood, and experienced. He- social and cultural contexts and racialized women in terms of gender gemonic gender is referenced by the institutions.” Siltanen and Doucet relations. By using class, ethnicity, authors as a “relation of power and use Butler’s “heterosexual matrix race, sexuality, generation, religion, domination that signals that gender to demonstrate the relationship of immigration status, citizenship, becomes naturalized, unquestioned, difference central to the concept of language, and dis/ability the reader and regarded as the legitimate order gender, and designates heterosexuali- becomes aware of the existence of of things.” The authors cite socio- ty as that which ties masculinity and discriminatory practices in Canada. logical and feminist frameworks in femininity together in a hierarchal The third shift addresses mod- these chapters to be able to provide relationship of differences.” Het- ern-day complexities that are asso- a comprehensive understanding of erosexuality is at the core of being ciated with gender. This shift deals the relationship between gender, feminine and masculine and or being with the examination of what is being biological sex, and sexuality and how a man or woman. According to the performed and how performativity relations of power and dominance are authors, heterosexuality dictates the has “effects [on] or affects” gender built into society and into versions actions of both men and women, relations. The authors bring to light of masculinity and femininity to contextualizes gender, and indicates for the reader the fact that transgen- create gender inequalities. Through that various forms of homosexual der identities are examined in terms this comprehensive presentation, the gender relations are unacceptable. of Canada’s social, economic and reader can identify the significance This is reinforced by the authors in cultural and political contexts. By of what it means to be gendered. Chapter Four, “Doing and Undoing: using public and private sociological Terms like hegemonic femininity Gender performativity, and Social and feminist theories and contexts, and masculinity are used in these Change,” and Chapter Six, entitled Siltanen and Doucet demonstrate the chapters to identify the patriarchal “Intersectionality, Citizenship and importance of making the “invisible ideologies that exist that allow for, Activism.” Siltanen and Doucet delve … visible.” This brings to the fore- as Gramsci indicates, “the capitalist deep into the historical trajectories, ground modern day constructions bourgeoisie to use cultural hegemony different meanings, and concrete of gender that indicate that sexual to maintain positions of power and examples of doing gender, undoing orientation is geared towards hetero- subordination over women.” For the gender, and gender performativity sexual norms and hegemonic forms authors hegemonic masculinity is to create discourses about gendered of masculinity and femininity. This fixed and emphasizes toxic charac- identities in Canada. The authors in creates awareness that those that those teristics such as aggression, self-ori- these chapters link intersectionality who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, entation, hyper-competitiveness, and by examining hegemonic gender transsexual, and transgender are not dominance. These characteristics, ac- that is enacted in the local, nation- reflected in the traditional main- cording to the authors, lead to forced al, and global spheres that result in stream society that creates unequal hegemonic femininity and character- oppression and inequality. By using relations in Canada. istics of being weak, subordinated concepts such as hetero-normativity In Chapter Two, “Becoming and stay at home beauty queens. The and symbolic interactionism the Gendered,” and in Chapter Three, hegemonic male and female binaries authors explain that the norms of “Hegemonic Gender: an Intersecting are created/constructed to perpetuate gender are set in motion in a patriar- Relation of Dominance,” the authors a society of positive hegemony. The chal oppressive society. The authors’ develop a discussion about the social authors use the term hegemonic to further use the example of gendered construction of gender, biological describe “gender relations not based citizenship and connect this with sex, and sexuality as they are linked on power-but that are created based intersectionality to demonstrate the to the idea of hegemony. The authors on the relations of power.” Judith existence of inclusionary/exclusion-

VOLUME 33, NUMBERS 1,2 241 ary procedures. “The legal defini- not positioned as the breadwinners, McCall, and Davis to enable them tions of citizenship and citizenship which can create a cycle of poverty to expand on whether intersection- practices can exclude as an ideal but especially for immigrant and or single ality can be used as a theoretical can also provide a potent weapon parent households. framework. The authors specifically in the hands of disadvantaged and In the concluding chapter of the focus on McCall’s ideas behind in- oppressed groups.” Intersectional- book, “Researching the Complexity tra-categorical and inter-categorical ity as used in these chapters by the of Gender,” the authors examine approaches to analyze the categories authors allows for the understanding intersectionality and the complexi- of inequality. Intra-categorical of the existence of gender inequality ties of gender. Siltanen and Doucet methodology reveals the experiential based on power dynamics that exist further unpack intersectionality and realities of individuals and groups to be able to subordinate and create its limitations to determine whether positioned in specific intersects of unequal conditions for those that are it is a theory, method or research inequality and oppression. This considered not part of the norm in practice and the limitations of using approach allows for the analysis of society. The experiences of transgen- intersectionality. Intersectionality multiple dimensions of oppression. der and Indigenous communities are is linked to the local, global, and Inter-categorical methodology re- met with a lack of understanding and regional to examine the social, veals that categories interact with violence to oppress and subordinate. political, and economic structures each other and we can identify the In Chapter Five, “Paid and Unpaid that create exclusionary and inclu- structure of inequality. By using these Work, Changing Families and Inter- sionary procedures based on gender. two approaches the authors let the sectionality,” Siltanen and Doucet Intersectionality in this chapter is reader see the way in which we can expand on the fact that women are linked to sociological and feminist define/identity the categories of in- treated unequally in the workplace frameworks to be able to demonstrate stitutional discriminatory practices. and unrecognized for their work the narratives and discourses around Through this overlapping discus- inside the home. The authors refer- discriminatory gendered practices. sion, the authors identify the five fol- ence the “Sociology of Housework” By using terms such as social con- lowing limitations to using intersec- that was developed by Ann Oakley structionist, power, inequality, and tional analysis; (a) misidentification, to illustrate that unpaid housework oppression the authors present the (b) appropriation, (c) reification, (d) and childcare in Canada is not con- dynamics of institutional racism and institutionalization, and (e) oper- sidered legitimate work. The authors discrimination based on gender, race, ationalization. By presenting these use terms such as standard and class, sexual orientation, and dis/ limitations, the authors have allowed non-standard employment practices ability. Through the existence of these the reader to see two important trends as historical references to the tradi- binaries and categories of gender that are problematic when using this tional male model of work. Under the reader can see the existence of concept. For example, when looking this model woman and new immi- exclusionary practices and procedures at misidentification and reification, grants (especially those of colour) are based on hetero-normative models the reader can recognize the fact that categorized into the non-standard of behaviour. generalizations can be created and employment sector of the workforce The authors overlap their discus- that we cannot look at just gender on where the “kind of work they perform sion of whether intersectionality is a its own; it needs to be examined along is a part-time, temporary, casual and theory, method or research practice. with race, class, sex, and structural or even self-employment. These jobs Through this overlap, the authors theories. This will allow the reader have low wages, insecure conditions outline the frameworks that indicate to understand the axis of inequality and limited access to benefits.” The the meanings and experiences of and oppression that exist in various authors use the sociological perspec- gender cannot be examined without organizational structures that create tive that was developed by Talcott using dimensions of race, class and unequal hiring practices. Parsons to be able to elaborate on the sexuality. Life experiences as they In conclusion, the authors use gender divisions of labour: women are examined via intersectionality intersectionality first, to focus on work in the private sphere and men are relevant to be able to see where the fact that gender is not a single work in the public sphere. “Men are populations belong and how cate- dichotomy with one single definition positioned as breadwinners whereas gories of marginalization are created because gender is variable, and sec- women are homemakers.” It is within based on governmental policies and ondly, to analyze the intersections of this context that the family wage is procedures. Siltanen and Doucet use the socialization of gender in modern impacted in that since women are critical feminist thinkers Crenshaw, Canadian society.

242 CANADIAN WOMAN STUDIES/LES CAHIERS DE LA FEMME Emma Posca is a PhD candidate in poetic than plot-driven: time veers and yet treated as commodities to the School of Gender Feminist and from present-day to first-encounters, be exploited? What does it mean Sexuality Studies at York University. and personal experiences are humbled to live in the anthropocene, where Her dissertation topic is rooted in through the politics of oceanic study. humans’ impact on earth has caused Sociological and Feminist theory as While the writing is incredibly such irreparable damage that we have it resolves around the access to mental moving, some may find themselves entered the sixth extinction? health resources for women in living in frustrated by temporal shifts. The re- These questions circle the sce- Diasporas in Toronto. sult is an overflowing sea of emotions narios Apostolides thinks through, that is both fragmentary and riddled as she draws on scientific data to with fleshy matter. While this may support her claims. The book is well detract some folks, it will be the crux researched, and ends with extensive DEEP SALT WATER of interest for others. and thoughtful footnotes in a sec- I urge readers to engage their senses tion titled Further Reading. These Marianne Apostolides and journey through these tides concluding passages substantiate the Toronto: BookThug, 2017 of time, for the effort involved in book’s narrative. keeping up with Apostolides is always I think that the brilliance of this reviewed by danielle rewarded in kind. The writing is wise book, and the feminist question that mcnally and meaningful. Like so: it encompasses, is its illustration of the irony of this specifically gendered The orbital angle of the moon situation (abortion). Apostolides is Deep Salt Water is a beautiful book. will alter and rise. It’s an ebb and suggesting that we shift our atten- Physically and metaphorically, its flow; it’s a rhythmic cycle. Tides tion from inner to outer, in order material worth is an addition to any are predictable. Grief is not. I try to highlight the hypocrisy of right- collection. Written and composed to squelch it: cardboard boxes wing anti-abortion legislation. For by Marianne Apostolides, the text fall apart when they get wet. I Apostolides, the “decision” to have is accompanied by the mixed media haven’t asked you to carry the an abortion weighs on her psyche collages of Catherine Mellinger. Both boxes, although they’re heavy. and her body long after the proce- artists centre the co-existence of the You don’t need my weakness; dure, and demonstrates the human human body alongside the creatures, you’ve already got enough on capacity for empathy, sorrow, regret, and creations, of the sea. your mind. and dismay. I think the underlying The combination of seductive message, here, is that this ongoing prose and intimate imagery intensi- Throughout this memoir we en- guilt (embodied by women) is en- fies the readers’ experiential learning, counter Apostolides at many stages tirely misplaced in the context of and makes for a truly original work. of her life. We meet her past self at a our global crisis. I think the book is Think colourful sea urchins juxta- clinic to end a pregnancy, as well as urging us, rather, to question what posed with pulsing, desiring bodies. in her current state of motherhood, structural and cultural practices have Deep Salt Water is marketed as hearing about her daughter’s first kiss. made Apostolides’ body into a public “a memoir about loss and abortion, Intimacy and fertility are ongoing debate when our biggest life source expressed through the layering of im- themes, and where the anatomy is is quietly degrading at the hands of agery from the ocean.” And delving fluid, and the ideas free-flowing, corporate greed. deeper, it is about coming to terms the book is anchored in three parts: This is a book to immerse yourself with (both individual and collective) organized in accordance with the in, so as to emerge, swelled, with a grief, as Apostolides grapples with three trimesters of a pregnancy. more compassionate understand- her abortion in equal measure to her Employing this self/species meth- ing of some of life’s most complex growing awareness of the destruction od of storytelling, Apostolides not questions. of our planet. only questions her own encounters It is worth noting from the outset with termination and embodied Danielle McNally is a PhD candidate that the author’s approach is neither trauma, but ties her experiences to in Gender, Feminist and Women’s straightforward nor linear: what bigger quandaries that cloud our Studies. makes this book special—its creativ- collective conscience: What does ity and uniqueness—can also have a it mean to bring new life into a disorienting effect. The prose is more world whose resources are finite,

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