I'm glad you enjoyed answering them! I tend to be interested in this stuff too, and Japan is just a breeding ground of gender warping and blurring, especially compared to the west. I gotta say, I like it a lot better.
I like the idea that masculine is just the sense of being a man. I think that actually describes quite a lot, including the general social obligations.
I think guys actually have a harder time with gender identity now than girls. What is means to be a woman has sort of changed, while what it means to be 'masculine' sort of hasn't. Like, being a 'tomboy' isn't nearly the negative social stigma as say 'girly boy'.
Japan kind of has this odd dichotomy I find. On the one hand there's a lot of blurring and playing with gender boundaries in terms of the entertainment scene, but in terms of real life they have very rigid ideas of gender roles, much moreso than the West.
I think rigid gender roles make it hard for everyone. The main problem is that being feminine is seen as being weak and bad, and that goes for both men and women. You can't be perceived as feminine if you're in a position of power, whatever gender you are.
Yeah, the gender blurring is more in entertainment, but becuase of that, it's happening with younger generations too.
Oh totally. Older (as in middle aged) Japanese people are VERY polarized. They are either men bringing home the bacon, or women doing the dishes. Almost creepily stereotypical genera roles. Or even, your gender role might be blurry until you get married, then you fall into line.
What is your personal definition of 'masculine'? I have two? One is the sort of "trying to imitate what we see in like, Men's health" so the MACHOMAN attitude, the BUYING A TRUCK COS IT'S MANLY, the OH NO I CAN'T DO ____ OR MY MASCULINITY IS UNDER ATTACK -- mostly unflattering traits. And then there is the other one which is more. . . it is also constructed, but less SHINY MAGAZINE-Y STUBBLE BEER DRINKING SEXIST PIG masculine and more of a "I'm a dude. I have a penis. I understand that certain things are expected of me, but I am secure enough in my own gender to buck those sometimes." . . . but usually the first, because the second is so rare and we in America have this huge FEAR OF BEING EMASCULATED thing going on for dudes.
Do you care if guys you date or potentially date fit those qualities? I find it an unattractive personality, to constantly be worried about your masculinity. On the other hand, I really don't mind if you're a beer toting jock who wants to buy a truck -- but if we're dating you are not buying a truck.
( ... )
* Masculine... I don't know... I mean... Has man bits? XD I think my definition of masculine and feminine is really jacked up. XD If it looks not like a girl, its masculine? And even sometimes if it does...? XD I mean if you're talking about "Ideal" masculinity, then maybe like muscles and strong and tall... but if a guy doesn't fit into those its not like I don't see them as masculine
( ... )
♥ What is your personal definition of 'masculine'? Well, if it's about looks I'd say facial hair, muscles that clearly shows, tall and with an aura of...well man. ;P Uwah, I wish I could do a referance here for the personality, but I doubt you'd know him. A Swedish strong man, was once the World's strongest man. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus_Samuelsson Anyway, he's like the biggest guy I've ever seen but he's like the sweetest person ever. To me, being masculine is kind of having the power to... in a way hurt someone physically but being man enough to not do so. AH. Does this makes sense at all? :/
I recently had to write an essay about this poem that centers around that issue. It is namned UK's most popular poem of all times or something. "If" - Rudyard Kipling: http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_if.htm
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I like the idea that masculine is just the sense of being a man. I think that actually describes quite a lot, including the general social obligations.
I think guys actually have a harder time with gender identity now than girls. What is means to be a woman has sort of changed, while what it means to be 'masculine' sort of hasn't. Like, being a 'tomboy' isn't nearly the negative social stigma as say 'girly boy'.
Reply
Japan kind of has this odd dichotomy I find. On the one hand there's a lot of blurring and playing with gender boundaries in terms of the entertainment scene, but in terms of real life they have very rigid ideas of gender roles, much moreso than the West.
I think rigid gender roles make it hard for everyone. The main problem is that being feminine is seen as being weak and bad, and that goes for both men and women. You can't be perceived as feminine if you're in a position of power, whatever gender you are.
Reply
Yeah, the gender blurring is more in entertainment, but becuase of that, it's happening with younger generations too.
Oh totally. Older (as in middle aged) Japanese people are VERY polarized. They are either men bringing home the bacon, or women doing the dishes. Almost creepily stereotypical genera roles. Or even, your gender role might be blurry until you get married, then you fall into line.
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Do you care if guys you date or potentially date fit those qualities? I find it an unattractive personality, to constantly be worried about your masculinity. On the other hand, I really don't mind if you're a beer toting jock who wants to buy a truck -- but if we're dating you are not buying a truck. ( ... )
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♥ What is your personal definition of 'masculine'?
Well, if it's about looks I'd say facial hair, muscles that clearly shows, tall and with an aura of...well man. ;P
Uwah, I wish I could do a referance here for the personality, but I doubt you'd know him. A Swedish strong man, was once the World's strongest man. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus_Samuelsson
Anyway, he's like the biggest guy I've ever seen but he's like the sweetest person ever.
To me, being masculine is kind of having the power to... in a way hurt someone physically but being man enough to not do so. AH. Does this makes sense at all? :/
I recently had to write an essay about this poem that centers around that issue. It is namned UK's most popular poem of all times or something. "If" - Rudyard Kipling:
http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_if.htm
♥ Do you care if guys you date ( ... )
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