October 17th, 2011

Femininity & Masculinity

In Monday's class we began to discuss gender and the ideals which we associate to being male and female. 

We, the students, were asked to each choose a male and a female whom we believe to embody the classic definitions and ideals of masculinity and femininity. I chose Tyrese Gibson and Sandra Bullock. 

Once we had chosen our two people, we assigned three characteristics that could be associated with femininity and three characteristics that could be associated with masculinity. They were as follows: 

FEMININITY                                                          MASCULINITY

- classy                                                                         - tough

- stylish                                                                        - successful

- beautiful                                                                    - unafraid

However, this quote from Vincent D'Onofrio is the perfect definition of masculinity and femininity, in my eyes...

"To me the definition of true masculinity - and femininity, too - 

is being able to lay in your own skin comfortably." 

D'Onofrio is basically saying that a person's masculinity, or femininity, is not defined by others... it is defined by how comfortable that person feels in their own body. It's the principle of confidence being more attractive than beauty. If a person is comfortable with who they are,   others will see that confidence and be attracted to it or enticed by it. So, in a sense, the six words chosen by the class to represent the ideals of masculinity and femininity are just that.. ideals. There will never be one strict definition to which everyone must adhere because humans come in all shapes, sizes, colors... etc. As D'Onofrio says, "the definition of masculinity - and femininity, too - is being able to lay in your own skin comfortably." As long as you are comfortable with yourself, who cares what others think. 

I realize this has been a short post, but honestly, it pretty much covers my opinions.. so I don't really feel a need to write more simply to make it longer. 

I hope what I have said is able to make you, my readers, think about the "cookie cutter" definitions of masculinity and femininity... and question their validity. 

Once again.. thank you for reading, it is much appreciated.

Sincerely,

Natasha.