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July 22, 2004

Gender Stereotypes « Social Issues »

Dean asks: What ways do you match or deviate from gender stereotypes?

Now that's a dang good question. First, you probably have to define exactly which stereotypical behaviors go with which gender, though. For instance, I think a rich fantasy life of "what I'm going to be when I grow up" is more typically male than female, and that it leads directly into typically-male hobbies; whereas a rich fantasy life of "who I'm going to marry or what life I will lead when I grow up" is much more female than male. That kinda forms the basis of my "Every Boy a Hero, Every Girl a Princess" theory that I'm going to turn into a book someday.

So, here's mine:
I embody maleness by:
1) I have gone through a succession of typical male fantasies: Sports hero, rock star, war/armageddon hero, and I bought the equipment I needed to fulfill the second two (lots of guitars, recording equipment, and bunches of rifles)
2) I tease my kids whenever possible
3) I love football, particularly the Kansas City Chiefs
4) I love war movies and karate movies and westerns
5) Boobies. Yep. The female body in general holds a fascination akin to a cat mesmerized by a fluttering insect or a wiggling string
6) I don't usually have a hankerin' to fix something automotive or around the house, but when I do, I'm good at it and I enjoy it immensely
7) Shopping sucks
8) Shopping for guns, ammo, guitars, or karate movies doesn't suck
9) Computer war games are nearly as cool as "Avalon Hill"-style strategy simulation board games
10) I am the source of both discipline and good financial judgment in our family

I do not embody maleness because I:
1) Cried during Beaches and Joy Luck Club
2) Don't take my identity from my work
3) Have fairly good fashion instincts (I've surprised my wife several times by the reasoning behind which I helped her choose clothing...she has disagreed with me but been forced to admit I was correct)
4) Remote control? Who cares. I only turn on the TV to watch something specific, anyway
5) I like talking about my feelings, and listening to women talk about their feelings

Posted by Nathan at 10:38 AM | Comments (5)
» blogoSFERICS links with: It's All About Meme
Comments

Well, Nathan, I also think you exhibt "Male Confidence", too :)

No, really, that's a good list. And seeing as I am more of a female stream of consciousness writer (rather than a poliblogger), I already figured number 5 of "I Do Not Embody Maleness Because."

I do believe that inherent non-sexual gender differences exist, but I also think that our method of parenting influences our children, as well. Our three older girls are very goal-oriented and have already laid plans for being a journalist, a vet, and an entymologist. K is a bit young, but she does take on the characteristics you mention (She wants to marry Daddy when she grows up and to have 13 children-11 girls and 2 boys "because boys tease and get dirty").

I like the balance you exhibit of letting bloggers know about you without crossing the line of privacy for your family.

P.S. Last night I found an archived post (I think it's in April 2003?) on ResurrectionSong where you were once considered a troll- my how things change :)

Posted by: Rae at July 22, 2004 11:04 AM

LOL! Yeah, that was a deliberately assumed role, because Zombyboy was distressed about not having attracted a troll yet. Kevin McGehee took one crack at it, and in another typically-male reaction of competitiveness, of course I had to show that I could do a better "troll". But I don't think anyone ever actually took me seriously...

I don't talk about my family much (other than an occasional picture of my kids and maybe something cute they did), because this is my blog, about me and my opinions. I don't want to invade anyone else's privacy with my writing, if I can help it. Heck, my wife is a very private person, as well, so blogging provides a level of social interaction and chance to be open that I probably wouldn't get otherwise. On the other hand, I do try to keep my full name and other information that might make it easy to find me somewhat confidential (although I have chosen made direct contact in the cases of a number of people...hey, ya gotta take chances in life).
I think Part II, No. 5 comes from being the youngest of 6 kids with 4 older sisters. My brother, raised in the midst of the girls rather than being the baby, still exhibits signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Posted by: nathan at July 22, 2004 11:43 AM

There is a general teasing between R and I that if we had had a male after all these females, I would have made him gay (would have expected him to behave like my girls) and he would have killed him (if the son came with an artistic bent from my side-wanting to play woodwind instruments instead of football), and what we wouldn't have done, the girls would've. (All said in complete jocularity, of course).

I have always thought that men who had the blessing of older sisters will at least have an advantage of having some understanding of women over those men who had none.

Posted by: Rae at July 22, 2004 12:40 PM

I had to show that I could do a better "troll". But I don't think anyone ever actually took me seriously..

Um, when you're trying to be a troll, being taken seriously means you're doing something wrong.

Posted by: McGehee at July 23, 2004 01:27 PM

Through online blackjack em?

Posted by: free online blackjack game at July 8, 2005 09:09 AM
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