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Research today suggests that the differences between men and
women isn't found in the solar system or even in our brains, but in the way we
view the world around us. The problem with theories that place men in one
corner and women in the other is that they assume all men (or women) are alike.
These thoughts limit our thinking about gender and what it
means to be a man. Like a jackhammer, they pound into our psyches beliefs about
how men are "supposed" to behave. Usually it's defined as simply the
opposite of how women are perceived.
Without labels we don't know who we are. We're uncomfortable
with the idea that men show feminine emotion or women behave in masculine ways.
It's better accepted when gender-bending behavior is over the top or characterized
in drag, but more than a few eyebrows are raised when men behave in ways that
don't typical fit male behavior. Without expectations of classic gender roles,
who are we and how do we define ourselves?
I totally agree.
ReplyDeleteI have been getting e-mails from this outfit that calls itself "NO LABELS" and I don't know what to make of it.
Surely you don't expect humans to stop categorizing and compartmentalizing each other...it is in our nature. But you can carry it to extremes and allow the labels to facilitate hatred and discrimination.
I don't have the answers...does anybody?
saludos,
raulito
http://fromtop2bttm.blogspot.com/
TRICKLE: I THINK LABELS ARE A NECESSARY EVIL.
ReplyDeleteWithin the past year, I've really become FULLY comfortable with who I am. Not just sexually, but in all dimensions of my life.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up down south, there are very specific ideas of the roles men and women ought to take. I was always too girly to hang with the guys, and too boyish to hang with the girls. smh.
Now I'm just like, "eh, whatever". And idk if it's weird or not, but I kinda prefer men of my same caliber. Not too masculine, not too fem...
-_Cogito
I think without us fulfilling expected gender roles we have a "Mr. Mom" or a mother who brings home the bacon, or a female race care driver or women basketball players or male make up artists and designers.
ReplyDeleteRelinquishing lables can always be a freeing experience, setting us free to be whatever is stretching up from within ourselves.
The problem is contending with fear in society, whom live by these roles and expect its populace to "play by the rules".
COGITO: I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! WHAT YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED ISN'T EASY TO COME BY.
ReplyDeleteTHOMAS: SO HATE 'PLAYING BY THE RULES'
ReplyDeleteI threw out all the other labels when I accepted my gayness. I can think and do whatever I want now without angst because it all "fits" as sub-catagories under GAY. I can cook, shop, decorate, watch what I want on TV, read what I want, cry, lust after whomever I choose and NEVER watch the Superbowl; all without fear of being labeled.
ReplyDeleteIt dosent matter anymore that Society labels me because, uh, well.. I am GAY. So, the point is?
@ Jeff- Ikr?? I NEEEVVEERRR watch the Superbowl. Smh. Straight guys go ape-shit over it. -_-
ReplyDelete-_Cogito
JEFF: WE CAN SO HANG TOGETHER!
ReplyDeleteCOGITO: NOT EVEN FOR THE MEN IN TIGHTS?
ReplyDeleteWhen I realized that I didn't quite fit in a particular sexual role (top, bottom, verse..etc)...then I also realized that I'm not fem, masc, or "inbetween." I gave up trying find a label, except for the word "Awesome." I think that pretty much takes care of any confusion.
ReplyDeleteAverage and Awesome . . .probably not accurate to those who try to look deep into those words, but it's right for me. And if those are a bit much, I am good ol' ME.
BAMA: U R SO AWESOME FOR POSTING THIS!
ReplyDelete