When we think of masculinity we often relate to words like strong, rugged, handsome, rational, intelligent. Femininity on the other hand is affiliated with words like emotional, nurturing, caring, tender. We are able to easily define male and female with anatomical terms, however the femininity and masculinity is a totally different matter- it is semiotic.
Social movement starting from the late 70's have revolutionized how society portrays femininity and masculinity. Some changes that have occurred include:
- Women entering the workforce
- Feminist movements ( gender equality)
- Gay and Lesbian Activism
- Reduction of hegemonic masculinity
- SNAGs ( sensitive new age guys)
- Metrosexuals
As we can see, the feminine/masculine values change over time. What hasn't changed is that heterosexuality still determines boundary limits . We portray weak pansy male florists as masculine and muscular tanned women wrestlers as feminine, but once they pass the boundary limits of being heterosexual, they fall into the line of what is called deviance.
This means that a man with all the masculine values such as strong, well built, deep voice, hairy body etc who turns out to be homosexual will be shunned by society as an outcast. He will not be seen as a true male, but a male that fits somewhere between the boundaries of male and female. The same applies for homosexual women.
Male/Female bisexuals on the other hand, have been termed by doctors as males/females that have sex with other males/females respectively. These people are still considered men or women.This is because they still have interest in the opposite sex. Surprisingly this is a very similar case to the ancient Greeks and Romans engaging in bisexual sex acts.
Anyhow, I found the lecture very enlightening, because as I probably know this already, but I was able to have that knowledge reaffirmed. This brings me to my main point.
It is those who are uneducated or cannot keep up with changes in society who are usually stuck with the perception that certain jobs and professions are feminine/masculine. It really is a shame to hear people tell me how much nursing is for women and how much of the proportion of male nurses are gay. This is a very outdated mode of portrayal, however the good news is that the ignorant views attached to certain professions are slowly fading.
The Modern society is more readily able to accept working under a female CEO, visiting a female doctor, working with female construction builders and of course.. being cared for by a male nurse.
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