Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 exptools; site ihuxn.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!ihuxn!jmps
From: jmps@ihuxn.UUCP (J. M. Sauer)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: what makes you feel feminine/masculine?
Message-ID: <1201@ihuxn.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 4-Oct-85 15:24:55 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihuxn.1201
Posted: Fri Oct  4 15:24:55 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 5-Oct-85 06:57:54 EDT
References: <248@ssc-vax.UUCP> <1944@reed.UUCP> <32@ubc-cs.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 31


Jamie's (ubc-cs!andrews) comments about society having a big
infuence on what is masculine or feminine is really true.  He said
that the same things that women said made them feel feminine also
made him feel good but he didn't always feel comfortable.  It is society
that labels these things masculine or feminine.  Society does this in a
often times arbitrary manner just to allow its members to differentiate
more quickly between male and female.  This is important to society.

In general, almost  all the things that have been labelled
masculine, women can do openly in our society now.  Wearing pants,
using the tools to fix things (qouting a response), racine cars, etc.. are open 
to women and it is alright with society if they feel masculine.  Often
times it will be said that a women may feel masculine but she never
forgets that she is a women and is not trying to be a man, therefore it
is accepted.

It is not alright in society for a male to do those things
that make him feel feminine even if he doesn't want to be a woman.
It is not allright to wear a dress or to be emotional. 
Society is saying this is a weakness in a man ("A man wouldn't be
caught dead in a dress").  I think this comes from society being more
influenced by male values, but both men and women feel this way. 

In summary, an individual should do whatever makes them feel good (as long
as it doesn't hurt others) whether or not society thinks this is
masculine or feminine.  The only true masculine or feminine attribute
are those physical attributes of being male or female, everything else is
cultural including attraction to a MOTOS.  I hope Jamie can become comfortable
with society's attitudes and that society eventually gives the same freedom
in this area to men that it allows women.