Whatever Happened to Acting Like Yourself?

A Discussions on Gender
By Jacqueline Butorsky

When I think about being a woman, I think of all the stereotypes that come to mind. Am I breaking gender rules by wearing this? What about the way I speak to others? I remember as a kid growing up, I would go outside and play in the dirt, digging up worms and giggling with my friends. My mother would always tell me it was disgusting and that "only boys did that". I always would reply, "Since when?" I figured since it was fun for me, why not allow me to do it? Other than the worms I was digging up, who was I really bothering? I can also remember when I was younger, probably around 7 or 8, I would play with my brother's G.I. Joe toys, instead of my usual Barbie dolls. I would get weird looks from my parents.

I guess my point is, society today places rules upon children when growing up. For a girl, you have to be feminine, appear mentally or physically inferior to men, want babies (and god knows plenty of them), act submissive, and a whole slew of "weak" characteristics. If you break any of those gender rules, you're a deviant. "Oh lordy, she's playing with boy toys. She must not be normal. She's going to grow up as a lesbian, watch out." I would hear this all the time growing up. Sexuality and mental state have nothing to do with wanting to play with toys that don't fit your gender. I still wear dresses, wear make up, etc., so the assumption that I would turn out manly was a crock.

Children today should be allowed to do what they wish. If little boys want to wear dresses, why not? Who is hurting, really? If little girls want to play with dump trucks, dig up worms, why not? Again, who is it hurting? What's more important here is keeping our children happy; not choosing what gender they belong to.

Here is another video about stereotypes:

Essentially, the video is assuming that a) men are superior, b) men get to do whatever they wish because of their superiority, c) because women appear to be the inferior sex/gender, men have all the advantages. This isn't to say that there aren't women out there who do not take advantages of gender discrimination laws, but because of gender stereotypes, women's upward mobility in life is quite limited. Somehow if one breaks out of these stereotypes, they are seen not only as deviants, but weirdo's, freaks, nonconformists, etc. Perhaps we need more nonconformists to rid society of these stereotypes.

Gender Police taking their job way too seriously?

submitted by Nicole VanDerzee:

When we’re in school, we are constantly criticized for being too girly or too masculine or not girly enough and not masculine enough. A girl that is a little boyish may be told to “stop dressing like a dude” or called names like “dyke” or “lesbian”. A boy who doesn’t strut around like a “macho man” may be referred to as “gay” or a “fag”. These tactics are used to make a boy “man up” or make a girl become a woman.

Children subconsciously do this not knowing the long term effect of their actions. They are not aware that what they are doing is potentially scarring these people for life, straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered. Often these children carry these tactics to adulthood. In many cases this behavior evolves and becomes an agent in vicious hate crimes. A person’s gender and sexuality become a threat to their well being. In addition to brutal hate crimes there are many suicides among the LGBT community due to bullying and gender policing. Some are taking the idea of gender policing far too seriously, you would think they were earning a wage. Gender and sexuality will always be an issue in this world. Old school heterosexual mentalities will always get in the way of the freedom of LGBT people. Dad’s always going to push his son to be athletic and Mom is always going to encourage her daughter to wear a dress and they will always be criticized if they don’t comply. 

Mars vs Vensus...

Submitted by:

Erica Mitchell

Mars vs Venus...

What is gender? Most people would answer with it means “Male or Female” right? But what we didn’t know is gender and sex are two different things. Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behavior, activities and qualities that a particular society considers appropriate for men and women.

It’s interesting how society looks at male and females as not equal. Women are constantly idealized of men by society. Society puts a strain on women, having them feel that men are the dominant gender with the power to control women. Throughout history men have been the worker, the provider, the one whose family depends on them for survival. It becomes difficult to escape that power and reach the understanding that women are just as dominant as they are.  This is why these patterns of the dominant male and the weak female are still present in today's society. This happens in the majority of work places, universities, and even institutions.  People automatically look at men as better than women. Many women still feel they are not on the same playing field as men at work, a home and at school. It should be based on their education, job skills, experience and them as a person not as a female or a male. In reality the only difference is their SEX. 

There are laws to protect women against discrimination, however in many cases employers break those laws and it’s sad because women are just as capable of doing anything a man can do and sometimes better.  I’m not sure who came up with this concept but I don’t believe it to be true or fair.  It saddens me to hear stories about women who work the same work force as a male and is getting paid a lesser salary. In many countries, the wage gap widens the better a woman is educated.  Another point is who said men couldn’t play the mothering role to their children. This can’t be a true fact; in fact men are just as capable to care for a child as a woman is. Their just always given the opportunity not to do so. The gender role is structured from childhood. Males are taught not to cry nor should they play with doll babies and like the color blue. As for females their taught to be dainty, like the color pink and play with Barbie dolls.  As the photo above shows, separation why couldn’t both the signs be blue or even pink? I believe female should receive the same recognition as males do.