Masculinity and Femininity

         

        Gender stereotypes have existed in the past and continue to exist today as well. Despite the change that has been occurring to rid of these dominant stereotypes, they still persist in today's society. In my English class, we watched a video that discussed the issue of masculinity and boys/men trying to fit a certain image that being named "masculine" represents to the rest of society. Being masculine is seen as being tough and not allowing true emotions to show, which are generally presumed to be considered as "feminine" qualities. Crying in front of others or being interested in activities or certain things that are not considered "manly" has caused other boys to bully those who don't fit this specific image, which was demonstrated by several young children from the video. The bullying is a demonstration of the destruction that the words "feminine" and "masculine" and the meanings established by society that are associated with them. In another video that was presented in my English class, a female writer discussed the attitudes by others that she received when a book she wrote was perceived as a feminist book. The writer discussed how she was told not be consider herself a feminist and that it held a negative connotation with it. She went on to discuss how even at a young age, she was similarly undermined for being a girl which resulted in her being unable to lead because it was a job only considered for boys. The stereotypes that revolve around being considered "masculine" or "feminine," or being too much of a feminist is a problem that does much harm to those who don't fit either example because they are considered too much or too little of either term, or are viewed as being more of one instead of the other. With the implication of many girls and boys unable to act as they wish and portray their true selves, the gender stereotypes that exist need to be eliminated for greater equality to be achieved.