Abby Hoefling
What are your definitions of "man" and "woman?"
A man is the father, husband, and authoritative part of his family. A woman has just as much independence but she should be humbled. man and woman are very different yet have enough similarities so that they can connect.
Are there any specific gender roles that you think should be there? Are there any you wish did not exist?
Gender roles have existed for a long time so many have changed. I believe that roles that make one gender feel inferior or limit them from doing what they love are not okay. I wish that the role for women in foreign countries, especially middle eastern countries, would not bring them so much harm, so those roles are also not okay.
Do you conform to the society's gender expectations? Is there anything you do that is not usually associated with your gender? If you do conform, is it more because society expects you to or because you identify with the expectations?
I mostly do conform with society's expectation for my gender. However I do lift weights, which is one of the things that many people don't expect women to do since they are considered physically weaker.This definitely doesn't break the gender role because I have yet to prove that I am stronger than men. I conform both because I am expected to but also because the values that I follow with my life do not clash with the roles I am expected to have.
A lot of the time when it's socially acceptable for a man to expose his chest, a woman has to cover hers. Yet when it is socially acceptable for a woman to show her legs, arms, and cleavage (think dresses), the same is not acceptable for a man. What are your thoughts about these two situations?
I think that the reason these ideas are so accepted is because it is what society has come to be comfortable with. However, even with men exposing their chest, many people find that uncomfortable, but not simply because of gender roles. It is uncomfortable for them because they have their own desires for what to see around them. It is a mutual desire to prefer to not see women with exposed chests.Women have been wearing skirts and dresses for many years, so them wearing them and exposing arms and legs makes it more okay than men wearing shorts since men also have certain things that they will look strange in. It always depends on what a society accepts.
In many cases, women and girls are encouraged to embrace their masculine side, while feminine men and boys are looked down upon by society. What do you think about this? Why do you think femininity is seen as less than masculinity? How does this relate to discrimination in the workplace?
Women are told to be more masculine because women very often are too soft. Men are known for having headstrong behaviors and women can be emotional and very naive. If women act more like men, they could end up getting a benefit out of it, such as if a women becomes as athletic as a man. Feminine men are looked down upon because people desire for men to wear clothes made for men, since it is usually uncomfortable for people to see men in skirts and dresses. Women wearing men's clothes is generally okay, but is is more preferred for women to wear clothes designed for women. Although this unfairness does exist, there is still good amounts of fairness still left in this aspect.
Is it important to make the world a more welcoming place for gender nonconforming people? If so, how can this be done?
It is important to make both gender roles tolerable because each gender is stuck with their own roles and there is little that can be done. Having role regulations can also inspire people to rebel and strive to reform the roles for the better. Making reform can be done by proving the people through their actions that the gender roles are not okay and causing uncomfort for people.
