What are your definitions of "man" and "woman?"
a man has sexual and physical characteristics that make him a man
a woman has sexual and physical characteristics that make her a woman
Both also have different "mentality" and personality that are linked to their gender, although that is more less obvious than the physical / sexual differences.
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 a gender role besides giving birth for a woman (unfortunately men cannot go into labor)
I wish men would not act as much as macho as they do. Everybody should share equally household and kids raising.
Do you conform to the society's gender expectations?
yes / unfortunately. Even though I raise my kids / and I ask as much as possible like gender were not important, I still "could not" make my son wear pink for example. But besides that, I raise him as I raise his sisters and have the same expectation regarding chores for ex. Although sometimes I use his "gender" to help me more (more muscle/stronger = help me to carry heavy things that I can no longer carry)
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?
actually I do a lot around the house. I don't hesitate to use a power drill, work around the house, change a flat tire , take care of my car. My dad died when I was a teen and I had to "replace" my dad who was the handyman of the house. Luckily he taught me many things before he died.
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 this is ridiculous. I see that everyday as a teacher and don't like it. I don't see why my female students are more scolded than my male students and I have duct tape for my male students to hold up their pants - note that I don't touch them, I give them 2 choices
1- referral for dress code violation
2- I give them my duct tape and scissors so they can tape their pants up.
I was told that I was one of a rare teacher to do address dress code for both my female and male students.
It's either for everybody or nobody.
I am also cringing when I see cheerleaders with super short skirts whereas the other female are reminded about dress code for sometimes longer skirts.
I personally do not hesitate to jog in my bra. I see no reason why a guy would be shirtless and not a women.
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 also think it is sad. I did not raise my kids like that and Yann had access to dolls and his dad was not very pleased but I did not care. My daughters had access to garages and toy cars as well. I did not try to impose things to my kids. Also the poor dolls did have a shorter life expectations than the cars: all my kids , regardless their gender, had a tendency to behead them :/
my boy never ask me to do "girly " stuff but I would not have refuse them to him. He actually did embroideries like his sister -traditionally a girl stuff- and he really liked it, he stopped but not because he was asked to stop. 2 of my girls are playing rugby.
Is it important to make the world a more welcoming place for gender nonconforming people? If so, how can this be done?
I think it is important. I think men would be more respectful to women if they were not educated to be "macho" as it is in the actual society - and Europe is even worst than the US to me -
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I think it's crucial to start to change things as early as possible. Unfortunately in HS is already a little bit too late. Parents have a great role in this change, unfortunately "stereotypes" are really strong and I did my best but for ex. I never made my son wear pink / dress/ girly stuff...but my girls wear blue/ sometimes boyish things. I feel guilty but I did that to avoid my son to be marginalized and laughed at
Thank you so much!
Thank you again :)