Maggie Kristian
What are your definitions of "man" and "woman?"
Honestly, speaking as a cis white person, I can't deny that the image that first comes into my head is one of the typical all american man and woman. A woman with a dress and long hair, and a man with a suit and broad shoulders. But I believe that a man is really anyone who identifies with that label, and the same for women.
Are there any specific gender roles that you think should be there? Are there any you wish did not exist?
I don't think that there are any gender roles in particular I think should exist.// I find it rather aggravating that women and girls are really seen more as mothers and child bearers, and in contrast, that men are thought of as breadwinners.
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?
In some ways, I do. I wear dresses and paint my nails and do my hair and go shopping, all of which are really associated with girls.// However, I feel I do them because I genuinely enjoy them. However, I often find myself conforming in ways that are not true to myself. I am a fairly argumentative, loud, and mildly obnoxious person. But girls are seen as docile and kind and gentle, and it is unattractive to be otherwise, so i tone myself down and often don't speak out when I'd like to for fear of being seeing a callous, annoying bitch. // In some ways, I don't conform to the general female gender expectations. I play video games for hours into the night. I eat a ton, and by a lot of standards, I'm fat. Sometimes I won't shower for a couple days. all of which don't conform the the general thought of a girl as gentle and clean and dainty and kind. Although, I'm more comfortable with doing these things that I love because (apart from being fat) they are all things I do out of the public eye.
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 they're both bullshit. I mean, don't expose your genitalia please (I feel thats really more of a private and provocative thing that shouldn't be pulled out in public), but if you want to show your nipples, go right on ahead. If you want to bare your legs, by all means, go for it.
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 think because femininity is associated with gentleness, etc, it is seen as something weak, and so anyone displaying those traits is therefore weak. I think it is almost a mindset of femininity being the lowest starting point in life, the lowest and worst level to be on. Males are for some reason better because they are not on this level, and males who subscribe to femininity are seen as even worse than females themselves, having sunk to the level of femininity. Women who embrace more masculine things have therefore "overcome" their femininity and should be praised. // I think femininity is seen as less than masculinity because masculinity has the tendency to be classified as violent and have the need for domination. Therefore, those who subscribe to it will want to feel dominant, and then perpetuate their dominance, and a cycle is started // I honestly don't have all that much knowledge of workplace situations, so I don't want to speak uniformed/
Is it important to make the world a more welcoming place for gender nonconforming people? If so, how can this be done?
Of course it's important! Everyone deserves a right to comfort, to safety, and to happiness. It may be slow- getting people to change their pronouns might take a while- but it's entirely possible. But in order to, I'm going to have to overthrow the golden rule a little bit. Others might not want to be treated like you would want to be treated. Treat them in such a way that they want, and that they feel comfortable. Also, to all the the genderqueer/ gender nonconforming kids - speak up! It may be hard, but if i'm offending you, let me know. I won't know if I'm making you uncomfortable if you don't say anything.
But most of all- just don't be a jerk. seriously. that's it.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I doubt I could produce anything else eloquent enough. I'm all written out.
