A brief explanation that heavily resonated with me from the Raising Zoomer article was “Gender expression refers to how a person shows their gender identity. This includes clothing and other things like make-up, hairstyles, or even style of walking or dancing. It is the way we give cues to other people to show them how we perceive ourselves and how we wish to be perceived by others. Sometimes a person’s gender identity and gender expression may not “align” because of fear of how they will be perceived if they challenge traditional gender norms. ”
I personally have felt like I enjoy expressing myself in a feminine manner majority of the time, however there are other times when I would like to feel more on the neutral side or even the masculine side. I am not sure whether I enjoy it because it keeps me safe from specific types of harm or because I genuinely enjoy iy. However, given my experience I do acknowledge that expressing my gender through hyper-femininity does shield me from what I could possibly be treated like if I do not cater to the Male Gaze. The dangers that come with deviating from femininity especially as a Black woman can be especially terrifying. I have always wondered if this affected how my gender identity developed over time and how it altered my expression during adolescence and my early 20s.
I like how you include another race like black women it is technology hard for them because of their skin color.
Gender is a really complex topic to talk about because not everyone shares the same point of view when it comes to Gender identity, Sexual orientation, Gender expression. Especially since people’s perception on gender can be heavily influenced by religion, culture, and experience.
I feel like I relate to Krysten’s snapshot a lot because also being a black woman , I have experienced hypermasculinization a lot growing up. I have alway been questioned about my gender for the way I dressed, and looked until recent years because the way I dress and my overall appearance has changed. I believe people have attached different characteristics to Femininity and masculinity for decades and centuries now that it has become so normalized and widely accepted that it is hard for people to change the way people view gender and sexuality.
“In America, boys are taught and expected to be tough, risk-taking, rowdy, athletic, strong, aggressive, rugged, handsome, not emotional, messy, loud, heterosexual studs, uninterested in domestic chores and care-taking, unromantic, interested in sports, cars, guns and climbing the corporate ladder, and apparently have an insatiable interest in superheroes and the color blue.
On the contrary, girls are taught and expected to be soft, submissive, cautious, delicate, graceful, prissy, pretty, weak, passive, emotional, tidy, quiet, heterosexual prudes, interested in domestic chores and care-taking, romantic, disinterested in sports and cars with zero career aspirations and apparently have an insatiable interest in princesses and the color pink.”https://www.raisingzoomer.com/article/2016/1/6/sex-and-gender-101
These are some examples of harmful gender stereotypes that have been taught and are constantly pushed by society which creates inequality between both genders. I believe by teaching the future generation about gender equality we can eliminate gender stereotypes, gender inequality etc……
Very provocative image. Thanks. Next time, you can just share the image and not worry about the explanation.