Eugenic Feminism in Canada

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Eugenics

The word ‘eugenics’ originated from Greek, meaning “good birth’ or “good creation”. Eugenics is a concept that the human species can be improved through prioritizing ‘desirable’ traits and eradicating ‘undesirable’ traits through selective reproduction. The concept of eugenics relies on the belief that the human person consists of many different traits that can be either deemed ‘good’ or ‘bad’. A trait’s identity is subjective- different people and cultures will have different definitions of what can be considered a positive or negative trait.

While eugenics practices have been a part of humanity for thousands of years, modern eugenics came into the spotlight in the early 19^th century accompanied by Francis Galton- a British Scientist. Galton believed that there are two types of eugenics- positive and negative. Positive eugenics focused on promoting traits that are good or beneficial to society such as health or intelligence. These characteristics were prioritized through encouraging reproduction in people who had these traits.  Negative eugenics was the opposite- discouraging the reproduction among people who were said to have negative characteristics . Disability, disease, mental illness and even criminal inclination were considered negative traits that should be eradicated. Conditions in society such as poverty, addiction, and prostitution were soon believed to be solved through controlling who could and could not reproduce. Negative eugenics was enforced through sterilization, segregation, institutionalization and even marriage prohibition.

Eugenic Practices in History

Eugenic practices were notoriously used in Nazi Germany during WW2 . Hitler strived to create an ‘Aryan Race’- a group consisting of people of racially ‘pure’ Germanic descent, who preferably had blond hair and blue eyes . Anyone who did not fit those characteristics were considered inferior, and soon, enforced sterilizations were performed. Additionally, under the rule of Hitler, over six million Jews and thousands of others were killed in a bid to ‘purify’ Germany .

Eugenic Practices Today

While society has moved away from forced sterilization, some eugenic practices are still prevalent today and even gaining more traction in certain countries. Selective abortion is being considered a form of negative eugenic practice by some sociologists and doctors, as many pregnancies that may result in a fetus having down syndrome or other disabilities are terminated. Additionally, ‘designer babies’ are an example of positive eugenics.  Designer babies are created through the creation and implantation of embryos containing the parents' desired genes.  

Feminism In Canada

Who were the Famous Five?

The Famous Five is a group of women from Alberta who are considered social reformers in which they fought against the sexism present in Canada which caused the inequities between men and women. Further, this group were the main representatives of the first wave of the Canadian Women’s Movement which endured from 1880 to 1920. The Famous Five was also called the “Alberta Five” or the “Famous 5” as well. Furthermore, this group was led by Emily Murphy and consisted of Henrietta Muir Edwards, Nellie McClung, Louise McKinney and Irene Parlby. Importantly, all these women accomplished and overcame several barriers that were presented to women during the 1800s and 1900s throughout Canada. Firstly, Emily Murphy was a writer, the first female Police Magistrate in the British Empire and was the first woman to be elected to the Edmonton Hospital Board. Secondly, Henrietta Muir Edwards was the publisher for Canada's first women’s magazine which was called, “Women’s Work in Canada” and she aided in the creation of the National Council of Women and the Victorian Order of Nurses. Thirdly, Nellie Mclung was a writer and was the first woman to be the Director of the Board of Governors of the CBC. Fourthly, Louise Crummy McKinney was the first woman to be appointed as an elected official in the British Empire. Lastly but not least, Irene Parlby was the first woman to be a cabinet minister for Alberta, was the second woman to obtain office in the Commonwealth, a member of the University of Alberta’s Board of Directors and the first president of the United Farm Women of Alberta. As it can be seen, all the members of the Famous Five accomplished something that no other woman did which helped pave the way for women’s movements throughout Canada.

What did the Famous Five Accomplish?

The Famous Five’s most applauded accomplishment was their fight in the ‘Persons Case’. This case was a movement to change laws in Canada to recognize women as ‘persons’. The case was initiated in 1927 by the Famous Five and in 1928, the Supreme Court of Canada declined that women would not be included as “persons” under the British North American Act. This did not stop the Famous Five and their efforts as they appealed to the Privy Council of England, which is the highest court in Canada, which led to the reversal of the Supreme Court of Canada’s determination. Importantly, by allowing women to be considered “persons” in Canadian law, women were then able to gain higher positions in the House of Commons, the Upper House and Senate. Further, women were no longer deprived of rights due to their gender. Finally, this accomplishment which was initiated by this group of women, aided tremendously in the continuation of women’s movements throughout Canada.

The Famous Five's efforts in their fight for gender equality can be illuminated by Amber Dawn's piece called, "How Poetry Saved My Life". This is because Mrs. dawn's piece focuses on the fight for gender equality as well. Furthermore, Mrs. Dawn and the Famous Five's actions can be connected because both efforts wanted to make a difference in the world for women. In particular, create an environment that women were both safe and heard in which they can fight for their rights and issues that they have concerns about. This is exactly what the Famous Five accomplished by fighting for women to be included as "persons" under the British North American Act. Additionally, Mrs. Dawn's piece focuses on gender violence. Gender violence can be connected to the Famous Five's efforts because if the Famous Five did not fight and accomplish women to be considered "persons", women would not have that platform to fight against gender violence. Therefore, the Famous Five efforts in the 'Persons Case' helped tear down a barrier for women to fight for their rights and voice their concerns.

Why are the Famous Five actions controversial?

Although the Famous Five fought in a much needed battle for gender equality and aided in the creation of a pathway for women’s rights, their fight was far from being perfect for a variety of reasons. For instance, the Famous Five did not fight against racism which brought forth a multitude of inequalities to a large population of individuals living in Canada. Further, these women were racist, eugenic advocates, elitists and supported anti-immigration. Therefore, many have argued that although this group made advancements for women in Canada, their movement has been lessened due to their association with the eugenic movement occurring in Canada in the 19th and 20th centuries. In addition, when women were finally considered “persons” under Canadian law, only certain groups of women were included. Unsurprisingly, it was limited to white women who were either Christian or Protestant. Later this was changed but not for Indigenous women. In fact, Indigenous women were not allowed to vote until 1960 and the Indian Act was still in place until 1955. Further, the Famous Five supported the laws that forced sterilization of thousands of people who many were Indigenous. Ultimately, the Famous Five’s accomplishments have been hindered in several individuals' eyes due to their association and support of unethical, unequal and discriminatory movements in Canadian history.

Women's Suffrage Movement in Canada

What is a suffrage movement?

Beginning in the mid 19th century a group of women called "The famous 5" began a suffrage movement to gain the right to vote in elections. Before this movement only men who were twenty one years or older were granted the right to vote leaving women's voices unheard and their opinions disregarded. The lack of equality granted to women gave rise to many suffrage movements lasting decades addressing many fundamental issues surrounding equality. In 1869 a women's suffrage movement broke into two different sides both fighting for a common goal of equality. The two sides were called "The National Women's Suffrage Association" and the "American Women Suffrage Association". In 1893 women were granted the right to vote in New Zealand being the first country to let women vote however, it was not until 1920 that women got the right to vote in Canada. Furthermore, It was not until 1940 that women in Quebec were granted the power to vote in provincial elections . Until then women were not allowed to have a say in any elections or be represented by females in the electoral groupings leaving men with the power to make decisions for them. The problems surrounding women gaining the right to vote were more complicated than many thought. Looking through an intersectional lens, women were the oppressed group involved in this situation. However, looking closer at this oppressed group it was clear that women of colour suffered more than white women. Non-white women not only fought against sexual injustices but women of colour faced racial injustices as well causing a longer struggle and fight for equality.

Suffrage movements that fought for women's rights closely related to the story, "Identity, oppression, and power feminism and intersectionality theory” By Aurora Morales. In this story the author highlights the importance for our society to treat each other equally and see our society as equals . Morales explains that one way in which we can take a step towards this solution is by using an intersectional lens and supporting the women's suffrage movements like the ones that took place throughout history . Morales expresses the importance of recognizing the different identities in our society and draw attention to the multidimensional lens involved with women's rights and emphasize the unique oppression of women. The women's suffrage movements were an important aspect of our history stepping towards equality for women in our society. In the words of Hillary Clinton “human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights”. These rights that were highlighted in the reading closely related to these suffrage movements expressing how women should have the same rights as men and allow them to have their voices heard.

How has feminism changed throughout history?

Women's feminism has gone through many different changes throughout history making adjustments small and large. These changes were sectioned off into three different waves accomplishing different things stepping closer to equality. Beginning in the nineteenth century, the first wave of feminism in Canada focused on increasing a women's role in public life, increased property rights and access to education, as well as giving women the recognition to be acknowledged as a "person" under the law . After this in 1960-1985 the second wave of feminism began. The second way fought for support of peace and disarmament, continuous equality in the education system and employment, as well as rights to using birth control and ultimately end all violence against women. Lastly from 1985-the present day is considered the third wave of feminism . This third wave is holding campaigns and movements to encourage employment equity and daycare rights for women, as well as anti-racism movements and ending poverty and violence against women. These different waves of feminism have fought for many important topics for women's rights and will continue to fight for women's rights until they are treated equal to their male counterparts. Without these feminist movements women would not be able to have many of the rights they have today, including but not limited to the right to vote, work, or even use contraceptive pills. These movements have changed the world for the better in hopes of creating a more equal future for women around the world.

Eugenic Feminism

In the early twentieth century in Alberta, feminism was becoming a prevalent force with groups such as The Famous Five fighting for women’s rights. Following the First World War, Canada was striving to create an identity separate of European influence. This desire for a national identity made society embrace ‘Maternal Feminism’ and ‘Political Motherhood’. A belief that a new identity could be shaped by the newer generations, and great future generations relied on the parenting and guidance from mothers arose. Mothers were believed to be the guardians of the new “race”. The future of Canada’s identity and citizens lied in conception, and this was a concept that The Famous Five embraced. The identity they wanted to create was neurotypical, able-bodied, and predominantly white- with a focus on Anglo-Saxon Protestants. In addition to eugenic policy, immigration policies like the Chinese Head Tax were used to control the racial makeup of the Canadian Population. Intersectionality played a role as well, as individuals who did not fit the ‘ideal’ in one or more fields were disproportionately affected by eugenic policy.

Sterilization Legislation

Eugenic policy earned support from many psychiatrists, socialists, feminists and even politicians such as Tommy Douglas. In 1928, the Sexual Sterilization Act was passed in Alberta, with the support of Famous Five members, Parlby, Murphy, and McClung.  Between the year of its conception and the year it was repealed, 1972, approximately three thousand people were sterilized.A similar act was passed in British Columbia in 1933. While the consequences of the BC Sterilization Act were significantly lower than in Alberta, approximately two hundred to four hundred people were sterilized up until its repeal in 1973.

Controversy

Eugenic feminism is controversial and even contradictory in its own essence. Feminism is rooted in the advocacy for equality, yet eugenic thought is created through the belief that one individual is superior to another. Eugenics prioritizes one population over another, and actively works to reduce certain populations. The ethics of eugenic policy have been debated by politicians, sociologists and medical professionals alike. Many eugenic policies are a form of state-sanctioned abuse. The concept of ‘good’ or ‘bad’ is subjective, and no individual should have the right to determine what genetics should be prioritized or discouraged. Feminist thought should recognize that diversity, especially genetic, is an important aspect of humanity, and to attempt to destroy that diversity harms a population more than it improves it. Eugenic policy undermines equality- thus, eugenic feminism undermines the root of feminist values.