Saturday, November 27, 2010

Girls can be tomboys but boys can’t be sissies.

Many girls act like boys, it is something that is seen all over not just in one particular high school or in one country. When asked many females will acknowledge that they once were a tomboy. It seems as though it is more common than not for a female to go through this sort of phase. The thing that is thought to be uncommon though is if this lasts for longer than just a phase. “Who was a tomboy as a child? Michael Messner (2004b) noted that women raised their hands more often than men did when he asked, who was a sissy?” (Pascoe pg. 117) this brings up an interesting perspective on male masculinity verses female femininity. This shows that it is more widely accepted for a female to deviate from female tendencies than a man to show a lack of masculinity; it is normal for women and girls to try and be more like a man then for men to try and be more like a woman. This in turn promotes superiority in masculine qualities instead of promoting the true character and allowing those characteristics to be defined as feminine instead of masculine. “Instead of redefining girlhood as tough and powerful, these tomboy stories belittle normative femininity and celebrate masculinity.” (Pascoe) Why is it so frowned upon for boys to play dress up, or play with dolls? Does that infer femininity is inferior to masculinity?

This trend of a double standard can be seen throughout at River High School and all around the country. The idea that women have a different standard than men. At River High School, lesbians were regarded as acceptable. “Guys like it for girls. Guys will see two lesbians and they’ll be like Yeah! Then when guys see two guys they’re like –Uughh!” (Pascoe 119) Where have the lines been created, and who has been given the authority to create these stigmas and standards? These double standards are created and publicized as early as when people begin to figure out who they are. So what if girls want to play football? So what if boys want to play with dolls? So what if a man wants to date another man, or so what if a woman wants to date another woman? The point is the answer should be so what? But for many the answer is that’s wrong.

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