Rethinking Gender Biases.

Feminism and related theories have been floating around the globe and media for a very long time with many bearing fruit in highlighting the plight of women and their issues. The so called weaker sex has somehow got a firm grip on their gender defined roles. But have we ever stopped to think about the other sex, the men folk who are also pinched by the various masculine stereotypes?

There are several instances where women have broken through stereotypes and roles set for them. Gone are the days when women were pushed in the kitchen to take care of household chores and stay meek and coy. Yet, while women are breaking new ground almost every day, we hear little about men who are breaking out of moulds. If women feel they are forced into stereotypes, what about men? Are they not expected to always be strong, hard-working, and aggressive, earn money for the family, drink at social gatherings and hold a stern posture even at the face of adversity? These are roles forced on men by society and any men wanting to break away from these expectations faces ostracism and is considered effeminate.

Most foreigners visiting Asian regions openly criticize men for their small built, long straight hair and feminine features. People mock men who go for a plastic surgery to correct their appearance and for the huge colorful bags that they sport. Why are men subject to such criticism…? Is it because men are expected to have six pack muscles, with military cut hair and tucked in formal wear even when they are on a trip to Hawaii or because the idiot box portrays such men as the real hero and the rest as jokers from a deck of cards?

Due to such stereotyping, many men stifle parts of their personalities, often the more creative parts because they feel they must conform to the norms set by the society. There are umpteen numbers of men who have given up their dream to be accepted as a part of the society. I have come across simple men who have been caregivers for women in their families, fathers who cherish the joys of bringing up a daughter, men who come to terms with their sexuality etc.

Media also plays a major role in this gender bias. Media portrays images of the strong, aggressive, macho male with very few ads acknowledging the feminine side of men, the dominant image still remains the same. Men are considered weak and ineffectual if they cannot demonstrate male strengths. And even though much has changed in terms of women’s status, these overwhelming expectations continue to burden the men who want to be different. What gives us the right to judge other people and their lifestyle? Why can’t we just let people be as whatever they want and accept them with their differences. Growing up with such gender biases we are further pushing our kids in a mould that restrict their growth as an individual. As kids we asked so many questions and every sentence started with “Why”. Why have we stopped to question the norms once we grow up and meekly stare at the stereotypes and blindly follow them? Why not break the shackles free and live the life that we cherish in our dreams. Every individual has the right to follow his instincts and be free from any biases, be it male or female stereotypes.

It’s a pity to note that often men face as lonely a battle at breaking away from stereotypes as do women which goes unnoticed in this fast paced society. Just as women have chipped away at all-male domains and opened up for themselves and altered some gender stereotypes, men too are beginning to question accepted societal norms for male behavior and roles. They are taking a chance at being different. We need to acknowledge and accommodate these in the long term, as there can be no lasting change for women if men also don’t change.