Chad Gasman
What are your definitions of 'man' and 'woman?
The titles of "man" and "woman" to me are just that, titles. They are titles that a person gives to themselves, and as a decent human being, I respect what a person wishes to be called.
Are there any specific gender roles that you think should be there? Are there any you wish did not exist?
I personally hate gender roles. The fact that a woman is expected to be subservient to men and do all of the housework is terrible. The fact that a man is expected to be this macho tough guy is terrible. All in all, without gender roles there'd be less sexism.
Do you conform to 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?
For the most part, I do. However, unlike most "men" I happen to be attracted to males as well as females, and I wear pink and other "girly" colors and designs (completely unrelated to my sexuality). I also enjoy cooking (to the extent that I can) and design (not fashion, but everything else). The main reason that I conform for the most part is that is how I was raised. My parents told me that "real men don't cry" and that I need to "toughen up if I want to get anywhere in life. If it weren't for the fear of (even more) harassment from my peers, I'd move further away from the male gender role.
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 personally believe that if a person wants to wear something, they should have the right to wear it (providing it covers the areas pretty much every person ever relates to sex, i.e. what's between their legs). If a woman wants to go topless or if a man wants to wear booty shorts and a tube top, more power to them.
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 hate the way society views these things. If a woman wears a t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, she's "one of the guys", but if a man wears a dress or something "feminine", he's a "wuss" or a "queer", and it's because society views being a woman as degrading and being a man as the best option. This also relates to discrimination in the workplace when a woman doesn't act like a man, she's harassed for simply being a woman.
Is it important to make the world a more welcoming place for gender nonconforming people? If so, how can this be done?
Oh it most definitely is. People grow up depressed and suicidal because they don't exactly "fit in", and while this isn't just in the department of gender roles, it is definitely a big portion of it. If we start educating children at a young age that not fitting in is perfectly fine and just as awesome, if not more, than fitting in. We also need to stop having boys and girls sections for toys and other things for children. Pink is not just for girls, and everything else is not just for boys.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Nope.
Thank you so much!
Your welcome!