“The Appeal of the Androgynous Man”
This article was published in Mademoiselle in 1976 for young female readers by Amy
Gross. In this article Gross compares androgynous men to the all-man man. Gross talks about the advantages of the androgynous man as compared to the all-man man. There are advantages and disadvantages to every man. Seems as though Gross is in favor of the androgynous man and she tends to bash the all-man man.
Gross describes the Androgynous man as being a self-amused, less inflated, more quirky, vulnerable and responsive man. Gross describes the all-man man as being a male chauvinist and possessing none of the characteristics of the androgynous man. These descriptions are of men that Gross had encounters with, not necessarily every man in the world. It is evident through her descriptions that she is more in favor of the androgynous man and sees them as a better mate. The androgynous man maybe be a better mate for
Gross, however this does not mean he is a better mate for every woman.
Further Gross explains the results of an experiment done with college students that were categorized as masculine, feminine, or androgynous. This experiment tests the degree of nurturing and caring abilities of each person within the experiment. Gross makes it a point to reveal that masculine men scored low and gave her sympathy for anyone stuck with this type of man. The choice of what type of man a woman chooses to spend her life with is left up to the individual woman. If a masculine man makes a woman happy who is Gross to giver her sympathy to this woman.
Gross stereotypes the all-man man by suggesting that the all-man man will reject behaviors and interests that are considered feminine. This stereotyping is based on her experience with men, not by the experience of women as a whole. Gross is making a misleading statement about men, therefore she is possibly misleading her readers. Young adult women need to take a look at their own needs and choose a man that will fulfill those needs, regardless of whether it be an androgynous man or an all-man man.
well-known stereotype. Sexuality is described in two different environments, showing how circumstances can change what is socially accepted.
In this essay, authors J. Michael Bailey and Kiira Triea try to disprove the “feminine essence theory” which they consider to be a misconception of transsexuals. Using research from Ray Blanchard, a University of Toronto professor and sexologist who performed extensive studies on male-to-female transsexuals, the authors explain transsexuals are being part of two separate groups. According to them, a transsexual may either be a homosexual transsexual or an autogynephilic transsexual. Autogynephilia is a term coined by Ray Blanchard and is defined as “inner-directed heterosexuality. That is, autogynephilic males are like heterosexual men, except that their primary sexual attraction is to the image or idea of themselves as women” (Bailey). The authors associate this condition with other paraphilias such as masochism. The authors argue that if you are not homosexual then you are most certainly autogynephilic (Bailey). This essay is relevant to my research because it contradicts the majority of what I have read concerning the “feminine essence theory” and because it summarizes much of Blanchard’s research. However, I do not necessarily agree with this research because it appears that only sexual orientation was taken into consideration towards their concept of gender identity.
After careful consideration I relate more to Dr. Davis M. Buss, known for his evolutionary research on human sex differences in mate selection. Sex differences. Buss posits that men and women have faced different adaptive challenges throughout human history, which shape behavioral difference in males and females today. Example women have to carry the child for nine months and then make it though delivery. Men during pregnancy have thoughts of paternity and having as many children as possible. He also focused on short and long term mating strategies, male and female preference, deception, love, jealousy, and a host of other topics that deal hand and hand with relationships and relationship disputes. I Personally, relate to these theories because
..., mended, replaced when need be, and who will see to it that my personal things are kept in their proper place…” Men see women as nothing more than their slave. If they say “Jump!” the woman is expected to say “How high?” Women are still assumed to follow the daily tasks of a house wife AND live the life of a modern day woman at the same time. “And I want a wife who understands that my sexual needs may entail more than strict adherence to monogamy.” If the man is not happy, he has every right to fix the “problem” at hand and adjust his life accordingly.
Unlike sex, the history of sexuality is dependant upon society and limited by its language in order to be defined and understood.
Masculinity, similarly to other aspects of one’s identity, is being intensively discussed in contemporary society. It has undergone significant development in the last few decades which has been reflected in and accelerated by the media. This essay explores the reasons for this - it refers to historical development where appropriate and discusses the consequences of the fragmentation of male identitities.
Women respond very well to tone and word choice, which Tannen uses to her advantage. She uses personal experience to relate with her more female audience. For example, in the criticism section she uses a scenario that occurred between a male and female editors. Tannen “appreciated her tentativeness” that she gave Tannen when wanting to cut out part of her story(301). In contrast to that her male editor gave her a much different response, saying “call me when you have something new to say”(301). By stating a scenario with two very different outcomes, she falls more bias to women. This is effective to her more female audience because it paints women in a positive light and paints the men in a very negative light. The obvious bias towards women can arguably hurt her more than it could help her. Tannen automatically outs her male audience at a very awkward side, and makes it impossible for them to feel sympathy towards her. This hurts Tannen’s opportunity for having a broad audience, but for what she wrote it for she is very effective. If we are simply talking about how effective it was for women then Tannen hit home with them. Tannen’s choice of using what men say is also very smart, and helps with her effectiveness. She heard a man say, that after working for two women he realized neither of them have a sense of humor(304). By using examples like these
never sacrifices one for the other. She takes on male attributes without sacrificing her female
Jody was born biologically with male genitals and he was brought up as a boy. Unlike his more gender-typical older brother, Jody’s childhood behavior was considered “sissy”. Jody genetically preferred the company of girls compared to boys during childhood. Jody considered herself a bisexual male until the age of 19. At 19 years of age, she became involved with a man, and her identity would be transgender, meaning that Jody was unhappy with her gender of birth and seeks a change from male to female. It would seem that there was some late-onset dissatisfaction, and late-onset is linked to attraction to women; in comparison to early childhood-onset, which are attracted to men. Jody identified herself as bisexual. The relationship with the man ended; nevertheless, Jody’s desire to become a woman consumed her, and Jody feels that’s he was born in the
The source fails to consider other interpretations and does not provide alternate explanations for the research proposed. The writer does accredit different understandings but solely focuses on the theory by Dr. Kranz, that those whom wanted sex-reassignment to their desired gender are based upon the theory of different brain structures. No alternate explanations were accounted for gender changes and why people do
Gender is not about the biological differences between men and women but rather the behavioral, cultural and psychological traits typically associated with one sex. Gender is socially constructed meaning it 's culturally specific, it 's learned and shared through gender socialization. What it means to be a woman or man is going to differ based on the culture, geographical location, and time. What it meant to be a woman in the US in the 19th century is different than what it means to be a woman in the 21st century. As cultures evolve over time so are the ideals of what it means to be man or woman.
In addition to the sexes male and female, Fausto-Sterling proposes we add three more categories including herm, (a true hermaphrodite) which has both testes and ovaries, merm (a male pseudo-hermaphrodite), which has testes and no ovaries, although some aspects of female genitalia, and fem, (a female pseudo-hermaphrodite) which has ovaries and some aspects of male genitalia but no testes. The reason for the addition of these sexes is to be more accurate and inclusive for all persons. Fausto-Sterling’s arguments for having at least five sex categories are valid because only having two categories is biologically inaccurate, and exclusive to people who do not fit into either category perfectly, both contributing to societal
Our sexuality, whether male or female, comes as an essential good that is a part of our very being and guides us on how we must act accordingly. Being male or female makes us sexually different, which is why men are assumed to be physically stronger whereas women are claimed to be able to handle simultaneous complexities of life (Borja, 2013). However, this does not imply that there is a more superior gender and an inferior one. Today we live in a patriarchal ruled society where women have to constantly strive and fight for their place in society. Women need to prove their competence as to not be regarded as a weakling or merely as the other, while on the other hand, men do not really need to put much effort and attention to these issues because they are already considered as the one and are on the top of the social pyramid.
The prejudice the women tolerate is evidenced by their tendency to dress in men’s clothing in order to be heard or considered (Olson). As women, their voices are inhibited or disregarded; they are overshadowed and overlooked by society. Portia, for example, has little choice but to consent to being the prize in her “loving” late father’s lottery. All decisions are made in regard to her future and life is influenced by men. The fact that the father is deceased does not diminish his power. In fact, his status a...
Masculinity and femininity are two terms, which have been interpreted differently throughout history. Both the males and the females have responsibilities and duties but these duties differ based on one’s gender. Gender has played a prodigious role in the economy, politics, and the society. Everyone starts making interpretations of the strengths and weaknesses based on one’s gender. These interpretations are not always based on his or her ability but is usually based on his or her gender. Males tend to be judged as extremely strong and unfashionable in terms of appearance. Whereas, females are judged as expensive and very fashionable. Males and females both differ in their abilities and their enjoyments. Fashion, entertainment, and strength are three topics, which are used to define masculinity and femininity in the 21st century.