What are your definitions of "man" and "woman?"
They are both human beings, but with certain characteristics. Physical differences are obvious, but some say there are also mental, emotional, etc. differences. I think that varies upon person-to-person, regardless of gender. Basicly, I think a man and women are the same human beings of mind, but certain characteristics are different.
Are there any specific gender roles that you think should be there? Are there any you wish did not exist?
I don’t think there should be specific gender roles, because men and women are capable of anything, it’s just the way society thinks of their roles. However, I do think a woman is fit to take care of babies, not saying that men can’t, but women seem naturally fit for that role because of their motherly nature. But then again men are still capable.
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 suppose I conform to the expectations without realizing it. For what seems like forever, I’ve always wanted to be strong in anything I do, but not because of society’s gender expectations, but rather because I wanted to, and because of competition. I think maybe society’s gender expectations are forged from what the majority of males and majority of women desire.
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 never really thought about this. As a male, I don’t mind seeing these physical parts of women, and I know I sound a little grotesque, but it’s my hormones. I think that it comes back to physical attributes, like a women’s chest and a man’s, and also the places where hair grows. I actually think that men have more freedom to be able to show their body as long as genitalia is covered, because it will just show off their masculinity. Yet if a women exposes parts shown in the question, certain people won’t complain, others would think wrongly, although the same could go for males. I guess it comes back to what society sees fit. In ours, it’s fine for a women to dress like a (excuse my terminology) slut, and it is okay if a man shows of his chest, dressing all masculine.
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?
I honesty think that’s wrong. If a man acts like a woman, there should be nothing wrong. Throughout history, women in general have been considered weaker than men. Being religion, physical attributes, or societal beliefs, women have been thought to less to man, and even if they were great, man influenced them. Now coming to the today’s workplace, I’m not sure how it works out. Women’s status has moved up greatly in today’s society, as far as I’ve seen. Therefore, I’m not sure if it affects discrimination that much.
Is it important to make the world a more welcoming place for gender nonconforming people? If so, how can this be done?
Definitely, the world needs to be more welcoming for non-conformers. Right now, it would be very hard because everyone believes a man should be a man, and a woman should be a woman. I think it is up to the youth and the future to break societal gender norms, or at least allow them to be welcoming.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Nothing really, everything I have to say has been said.
