Why I Paint My Daughter's Nails

The general public may think of painted nails as a feminine thing, but one single father is working to change that. He regularly sports polished nails after his daughter provides him with manicures. He says that it has nothing to do with sexuality or gender, rather it has to do with being comfortable in one’s own skin and he does it to better raise his daughter. He also notes that men and boys are primarily the people who question why he does this. I believe this demonstrates just how uncomfortable men can be when someone exists outside their concrete idea of masculinity. This father understands that traditionally feminine activities such as painting nails are not inherently tied to gender; rather they are unnecessarily socialized to be associated with one gender. Normalizing the breaking of simple gender norms such as this could allow for a more flexible expression and understanding of masculinity.

Check out the video here.

 

The Military: Is it Threatening Masculinity?

Women in the military is a hot topic lately. In fact, women issues in general is a hot topic. Is masculinity threatened by women in military? Military masculinity is pushed in the media as a male-dominated job. TV shows, movies, toys, and about 90% of military marketing show men as the face of the military. Could the fact that the military changing their standards to slowly include equality for women, challenge stereotypical military masculinity? Some people think so. Masculinity is not something that is strictly expected of men. Women can be masculine as well- and not be homosexual. “Masculinity is not the actual different between heterosexuality and homosexuality, but the linguistic acts of attempting to separate them (Reeser, 38).” Masculinity should not be something so feared by women and protected men. If we all just realized that men and women can both share the trait, and also succeed in the military, and stop harassing and fighting each other, maybe equality would not be such a complicated issue to resolve.

Here are some great links on the policies, changes and information about women in the military:

http://www.military.com/topics/women-in-the-military

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/2015/03/04/women-in-special-operations/24366457/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2015/04/16/opinion-its-time-to-reevaluate-standards-for-women-in-the-military/

Reeser, Todd W. Masculinities in Theory: An Introduction. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010. Print.

Doing Masculinity, Not Doing Health

It is common knowledge that women's life expectancy exceeds men's life expectancy in most developed countries. Could differences in health relate to the way we socialize masculinity and gender? A recent study conducted on Dutch males suggests that it could. The study found that males tend to view health in terms of challenging one's health or pushing one's body. This is demonstrated by men's emphasis on looks and muscle building. In contrast, actually taking care of your health was perceived as feminine, as thus, something to avoid. The study found that men thought "real men" were competitive and not whiners or vulnerable. This competitiveness was thought to form men's ideals surrounding health. This article demonstrates the very real consequences that result from men being socialized to constantly be in competition with one another. Furthermore, it illustrates men's willingness to actively avoid good things (such as taking care of your body) if these things are perceived as feminine. We are training the men in our society to value a rigid definition of masculinity above their health.

Doing masculinity, not doing health? A qualitative study among Dutch male employees about health beliefs and workplace physical activity

Transgender 7-year-old Allowed to Be Girl Scout

In 2011, a 7 year old named Bobby Montoya, who identifies as a girl, was accepted as a Girl Scout in Colorado. Bobby's mother allows him the freedom to be and dress how he wants, knowing his happiness is the most important factor. One clinical psychologist in Denver is quoted in the article: "I have a general philosophy about parenting," Dr. Worthy said. "Children are born like rocks. I mean, they're rough around the edges, and our job as parents is to flow over them like a stream and smooth out the rough edges. But the problem is when you try to mold them into what you want, you have to break them, you have to crack them, you have to change the shape. And when people aren't whole, and they aren't who they fully intend to be, then that's a difficult process also." Boys must be allowed to perform masculinity in their own way to develop healthy functioning. Bobby says he is bullied at school, and it "...hurts [him] and [his] mom both," but he chooses to stay true to himself and be strong in the face of bullies.

Read more about it HERE.  

Masculinity in the Film Industry

http://shitpeoplesaytowomendirectors.tumblr.com/

I am currently an aspiring director attending film school and interning with a broadcast television network. I have to say, even on the student level, that many of the things in this forum hit very close to home. I have been called "Mom" in a derogatory manner while assistant directing, been asked repeatedly if I need help with my equipment, and even attracted unwanted attention from male crew members. I am curious about the mind set of the men in the industry and their particular brand of masculinity that leads them to continue to embrace and nurture such a patriarchal system in Hollywood and beyond. Many of the men in this blog seem to feel the need to show their superiority by making women feel lesser or that their work is not as valuable. Often there is the feeling of a math equation in a crew situation. Where there can only be two girls on the crew or at least three of the production team keys have to be male. Why is this? There is always that image floating in history of the Orson Welles, big, strong, domineering director who is large and in charge on the set. This idea is haunting and I think part of a masculine Hollywood fantasy that refuses to die. Take a look at this photo by renowned artist Annie Leibovitz. It features George Clooney as the director surrounded by a literal sea of passive women. I love the quote from Kathryn Bigelow (the only woman to ever win the academy award for best director) about how the film is what matters not the gender of the filmmaker. Steps are being made in the direction of inclusion and diversity, as shown by the work of such organizations as the Film Fatales, but there is still a ways to go.

"Are You Man Enough?"

Merriam-Webster defines the term 'masculine' as “of, relating to, or suited to men or boys; grammar in some languages: of or belonging to the class of words (called a gender) that ordinarily includes most of the words referring to males (Merriam-Webster).” I want to touch on the introduction of masculinities, and the stereotypes that face young boys, and even girls today. I found these two website interesting. First is an interview about stereotypical masculinity, and a reporters’ view of it. Also below is a Planned Parenthood page, which under ‘What is Feminine? What is Masculine?’ includes commonly used words to describes the stereotype. Stereotyping is dangerous when it comes to raising children. Boys wear blue, girls wear pink, boys don’t cry, girls are sensitive. I question how the world can grow and progress, and teach people equality when we are always labeling and expecting different things from boys and girls. Why can’t a child grow up to be unique and there own person without society butting in and forming them to their standards? This is one of the many things wrong with society. We want to progress as a nation but yet we are still stuck in ‘old-fashioned’ ways of thinking.

http://baylorlariat.com/2014/02/05/boys-dont-cry-stereotypes-harm-masculinity/

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation-gender/gender-gender-identity

The Way This Dad Reacted When His Son Chose A Doll For A Gift Is Priceless

It shouldn't be a "to do" or big deal but it is what it is in our current social context so bravo daddy-o!"My job as daddy is to provide a safe playing field for my boys to play whatever game they choose, or better yet, create their own game," Willis wrote on Facebook. "I trust that by the time they realize the world isn't as accepting as mommy and daddy they'll have such a solid foundation that nothing will shake their stance to fully, and unabashedly be themselves."

The Way This Dad Reacted When His Son Chose A Doll For A Gift Is Priceless