hachiya@uiucuxc.CSO.UIUC.EDU (10/16/85)
>also continue to feel that as long as I can keep a proper >perspective on the whole issue, it doesn't really hurt me to >enjoy "stereotypically feminine" things. If you feel secure enough in who you are, you shouldn't feel threatened by enjoying either stereotypically masculine or feminine things. Donna
jeff@rtech.UUCP (Jeff Lichtman) (10/22/85)
> > If you feel secure enough in who you are, you shouldn't feel > threatened by enjoying either stereotypically masculine or > feminine things. > > Donna I agree with this in principle, but there's something about it that makes me a little uneasy. It implies that if the idea of doing something stereotypically against your gender makes you uncomfortable, you are insecure; that is, there is something wrong with you. If the thought of sewing my own clothes made me uncomfortable (see footnote), that would be one thing, but I readily admit that the thought of my running around in a dress repels me. My point is that stereotypes have different strengths, and a person shouldn't be ostracized for not wanting to break a strong one. But at a different level, I feel that a person shouldn't be ostracized even for not wanting to break a weak stereotype (e.g. a woman not wanting to learn how to change a tire), especially if the person doesn't have too many of these "faults". I don't care whether this does show insecurity. Most ideals can be used to oppress or manipulate, including the one of being self-actualized, secure, and well-balanced. A person should be allowed to have a few faults, including the sin of insecurity. I would even say that faults such as these should be considered as personality traits if they are few in number, for without them one could hardly be considered human. * The thought of sewing my own clothes does make me uncomfortable, but it's not because of any sexual stereotype. Rather, I have the fear that I would have to wear the results. :-) -- Jeff Lichtman at rtech (Relational Technology, Inc.) "Saints should always be judged guilty until they are proved innocent..." {amdahl, sun}!rtech!jeff {ucbvax, decvax}!mtxinu!rtech!jeff