Gender Norms
Gender norms and coercion play a dramatic role in the maturity of the youth and adult in our society today. In the 21th century we have already shown that we are more than capable of accepting different ideas and forms, but even now people are criticized both verbally and physically just because of the way they act, speak, or even look. It's a right that anyone is entitled to share their own opinion but when another is damaged in the process is where the line is drawn. No one should have the right to state what is the gender norm and how another should live their life, this is the basis of what our country was founded upon. So when a boy is killed simply for the manner in which he walks shows me that our society if scared to conform, scared to be removed from their comfort zone so they resort to animal instinct and eradicate the abnormal, but what is normal ?
Judith Butler tell the story of this boy who died in Maine and states "We are talking about an extremely deep panic or fear, and anxiety that pertains to gender norms". Masculinity has always been about a demonstration of strength and when one challenges this idea and does not comply or follow the course they are looked down upon by society even when is is not a fault of their own. My question is who set this standard? Who had such an influence that they could set a standard or rule for all men ?
Over time, our society has changed to which many different behaviors are accepted; however, our society alone has set the standard of masculinity demonstrating strength. It is very rare to see a father be okay with their son being emotional or having an interest that is considered feminine. I see it more as a custom/practice that has followed throughout many years and it still hasn't changed. Nothing should be normal because every person has their own distinct personality and identity. If we were all the same, no one would be unique.
ReplyDeleteI believe our society is scared of change. The nation wants people to act a certain way, walk a certain way, and talk a certain way and when that border is crossed, it penalizes any and everyone who won't follow its rules. This is wrong at all levels. Society is portraying the idea that being different is wrong, which is allowing people to not be as creative and powerful as they want to be. There are many ideas a person might have, but the world may never see them out of fear of being criticized and looked at funny. Being different is what makes people human beings. It's what keeps the world flowing. If people weren't able to be different, the world would be a dull and boring place.
ReplyDeletePeople are afraid to come out because of the fact that like what you have mentioned that other people would just criticize them, but there are some cases that are much more different than this. For instance, a guy is hiding his sexuality towards his family. Just by hearing this, does it not make you feel sorry the guy? I mean what is more hard to process, coming out in public or coming out to your parents? Either one is hard to comply but the one that stands out the most is coming out to your parents, because they have been there for you these entire years and you have loved them so much and you are afraid to disappoint them about your sexuality. Either way I still think that your ideas are outstanding and precise I should say. And with that I am going to actually agree with you.
ReplyDeleteI agree, people are afraid to change and to accept the fact that the times are different. People don't want it accept that a male is able to walk in a feminine way without being seen an abnormal and people don't want their gender norms to be changed and the boys who killed the boy with the feminine walk proves it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your ideas and i also ask the same questions. Where did all these norms and gender expectations begin? did they start out of fear of the unknown? or did people try to fit in with the most dominant person and that eventually became the norm? It is wrong for people to kill others for being different. Just because the way a kid walks is different from yours does not give anyone any rights to try and fix the person. The only thing that needs fixing is our society.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your ideas and i also ask the same questions. Where did all these norms and gender expectations begin? did they start out of fear of the unknown? or did people try to fit in with the most dominant person and that eventually became the norm? It is wrong for people to kill others for being different. Just because the way a kid walks is different from yours does not give anyone any rights to try and fix the person. The only thing that needs fixing is our society.
ReplyDeleteI agree, people feel that the way they act is not "normal". What really is normal? Gender norms were simply created in order for everyone to act a certain way and for those that did not comply the were immediately outcasted. If a male didn't speak or walk in a manly manner they were automatically considered different and were made fun of. If a girl played a sport such as wrestling they were left alone because, "that isn't a girl's sport." Who is to decide what a girl or boy should speak, act, and dress like? We shouldn't try to change people, in fact we should learn to embrace who they are.
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