Genderless Washroom

Theory: Structural Functionalism

Lens/key Sample focus:

topics
Many public institutions in Canadian society are including public
bathroom facilities that are intended for use by anyone, not just for
males or just for females. A structural functionalist examining this
issue would be interested in:
 Legal system and laws for public safety
 Education of the public about the use of the facilities

Identify at least two additional institutions identified in the resources

provided that a structural functionalist might examine in this issue. For
each institution, be explicit about how this institution is affected by this
change in order to demonstrate your understanding of structural
functionalism.

Questions Sample question:

they might
ask: What kind of push-back or challenge might school boards face as
they begin to make policy to include genderless bathrooms in all
schools?

Create at least two additional questions that a structural functionalist

would pose when studying this issue.  For each question, write a
sentence or two that clearly outlines why this is a question a structural
functionalist would ask.  Demonstrate that you understand the
perspective they use to study issues.

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Theory: Conflict Theory

Lens/key Sample focus:

topics
A conflict theorist might examine discrimination practices against
transgender people in Canadian society.

Using information given, identify at least two specific issues or

examples that would be of interest to a conflict theorist examining this
issue. For each, be explicit about why this would be of interest to a
conflict theorist in order to demonstrate your understanding of this
theory.

Questions Sample question:

they might
ask: Do transgender people feel empowered by the inclusion of new
genderless bathrooms in public facilities in Canada?

Create at least two additional questions that a conflict theorist would

pose when studying this issue.  For each question, write a sentence
or two that clearly outlines why this is a question a conflict theorist
would ask.  Demonstrate that you understand the perspective they
use to study issues.

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Theory: Feminist Theory

Lens/key Sample focus:

topics
A theorist from the feminist perspective might examine a change in
the way we define genders in the general understanding of Canadian
society.

Using information given, identify at least two specific issues or

examples that would be of interest to a feminist theorist examining
this issue. For each, be explicit about why this would be of interest to
a feminist theorist in order to demonstrate your understanding of this
theory.

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Questions Sample question:

they might
ask: Why haven’t people who identify as neither male nor female felt safe
using gender-specific washrooms?

Create at least two additional questions that a researcher would pose

from the feminist perspective when studying this issue.  For each
question, write a sentence or two that clearly outlines why this is a
question they would ask. Demonstrate that you understand the
perspective they use to study issues.

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Theory: Symbolic Interaction

Lens/key Sample focus:

topics
A Symbolic Interactionist would identify an individual like Vivianne
Quang and explore how she is changing her self-identity and how that
might change her interactions with others.

Using information given, identify at least two specific issues or

examples that would be of interest to a symbolic interactionist
examining this issue. For each, be explicit about why this would be of
interest, in order to demonstrate your understanding of this theory.
Remember this is a micro theory, so you will want to look at individual
cases.

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Questions Sample question:

they might
ask: What overt (explicitly stated) and covert (implied) messages prompt
individuals to begin to see themselves as a gender or transgender?

Create at least two additional questions that a symbolic interactionist

would pose when studying this issue.  For each question, write a
sentence or two that clearly outlines why this is a question a symbolic
interactionist would ask.  Demonstrate that you understand the
perspective they use to study issues.

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