• Question: Do you think that males desplaying feminine traits is more common than females desplaying masculine traits, and what do you think are the most common reasons for someone display traits of the opposite sex?

    Asked by anon-282368 on 27 Mar 2021.
    • Photo: Marjorie Pichon

      Marjorie Pichon answered on 9 Mar 2021:

      The idea of what we consider “masculine” and what we consider “feminine” is socially constructed. That is to say, there is no scientific or biological basis to it. People have decided that certain behaviours are more “feminine” or “masculine”, but it doesn’t really mean anything, and the line between the two can be difficult to define sometimes. I don’t know if it is more common for men to behave in a feminine way or women to behave in a masculine way. I think we are all a beautiful and unique mixture of “masculine” and “feminine”, and these traits make up our personality and identity. Oftentimes if people display traits that are traditionally assigned to the other sex it is just because that is who they are, and what feels right to them, but it doesn’t mean anything deeper then that.

    • Photo: Dennis Relojo-Howell

      Dennis Relojo-Howell answered on 9 Mar 2021:

      Hi JoeL. By feminine traits I would mean to say (soft spoken, lower-pitched voice, etc.). Sadly, I don’t have actual data on top of my head, I can only share my personal observation. As a gay man with feminine traits, my friends are also very similar to me. So I’m more exposed to men displaying feminine traits than females displaying masculine traits.

    • Photo: Harry Piper

      Harry Piper answered on 9 Mar 2021:

      This is a great question and the truth is I have no idea! The responses given so far are great! From what I have observed in society, I would think they are relatively equal and that in general those with these traits tend to hide them more – having said this there is absolutely no need to do so, not being set by a set or traditional traits is perfectly find and there should be no shame in displaying these traits – Moreover in my experience, I would think supposedly feminine men are more common, or at least more visible then supposedly masculine women – the reasoning behind this I’m unsure. However, as Marjorie says, traditional assignment of traits is constructed by society and it really shouldn’t matter – just be yourself!

    • Photo: Luan Cassal

      Luan Cassal answered on 17 Mar 2021:

      Hi JoeL! Very important question. I agree with the others that we shouldn’t take “feminine” or “masculine” as obvious and natural.
      We learn to recognise something (traits, behaviours, manners) as feminine or masculine. For instance, wearing skirts or trousers can be exclusive to one gender or another, depending on the culture and the historical moment. Besides, we may change our style (or gender performance) depending on the context (for instance, a stressful or violent situation), even if we are not aware of that.
      So, why would we perceive more males displaying masculine traits than the other way around? Well, some scientists working on gender and queer studies pose the same question. They think that is not a matter of being more or less common. The issue is social perception. In other words, we learn to pay attention, judge, and criticise those men who show traits considered feminine, trying to “correct” them. Of course, there is not wrong about expressing gender, but our society still reinforces certain prejudices.
      Could we say then that women who show traits considered “masculine” suffer less pressure? That would be a mistake. Prejudice against women is hard to see, exactly because society teaches people to get used to it. Demonstrations in memory of Sarah Everard these days are about that.
      As a social psychologist, I’d say to look for answers about things that we see happening often (such as your question), but also check the opposite question (why do we do not see so many women in the same situation), so we can find some hidden information. That’s how I work. 🙂

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