Some More Thoughts on Gender Stereotypes

[equusregia]

desdenova replied to my last post by describing the gender inequalities in the science world. Since she is a Scientist!, she knows whereof she speaks. I did my time in the world of science, but mostly at a women's college, and in biology, so I can't speak to the gender issues there. However, my time in The Theatre School sure taught me a thing or two about

Comments

[vespid_interest]

Very interesting!

I find myself wary around actors because I can't tell if I can trust them or not. The same goes for doctors and politicians: they all have the skill to sincerely fake a roll, and I don't like feeling manipulated. But you're saying the opposite can be true for actors: by playing many different parts you can discover what you are really like, deep down, which enables you to be truer to yourself when interacting with people. I like this idea, it makes me think theater should be a required course in college.

[equusregia]

You can learn things about yourself through acting, it's true. But a) one college course isn't likely to do the trick, and b) despite what some people believe, acting is terrible therapy. In fact, it's no kind of therapy at all. It dredges up a lot of stuff from the bottom of your mind, but doesn't do a damned thing to help you deal with it. I had to figure my own shit out, and if I wasn't such a self-analytical type, I might not have ever realized what the problem was.

As to being wary around actors -- you should only be wary around good actors. I know plenty of actors that aren't as convincing as someone from a roleplaying group. I like your point about the dichotomy between actors constantly examining themselves and trying to push past their own mental barriers, and the fact that they are doing this in order to play someone other than themselves. One of the many reasons that actors often seem fucked up to other people.

[crouchback]

I don't know how I come across to other people, but I consider myself to be far out on both ends of the gender gradient.

I've always thought of you as very feminine-but also as a very strong person.

Neither of those statements is meant to be insulting, I hasten to add.

[equusregia]

Nor do I take them as such. I really do strongly identify with both traditionally male and traditionally female gender traits and roles. But not all of them, in either case. That's why gender is so hard to pin down. You can simplify it to a gradient of behavior, but there are so many permutations that don't work on that linear model that it's only useful as a touchpoint in any conversation on gender. Of course, that goes for almost all things that relate to human behavior. Which is my point with these discussions on gender -- people should really be allowed to express gender any way they like.

Re: Why are you making me think this early?

[equusregia]

Hee. Yes, that would not have been great. DePaul was very different, since it was a conservatory. There was little room to do things other than in the area of your degree, although MFA students had more leeway. As for freshmen, no matter what they were majoring in -- acting, stage management, design -- they spent their first year as crew.

This is only one of many times in my life that I just got too much out of to want to take it back. Sometimes the most painful, icky moments teach you the most. The important thing is to escape them before they do you harm.

Now you got me going...

[poguer]

I will endeavor to keep this brief, since it is your post, not mine. You make some valid points, but I don't know if there is a solution to the less than admirable situation of our society's gender gap. From a male perspective, I actually envy some of the freedoms we give females (wearing what ever they want, in what ever color they want, for example), but I also recognize the limitations the "Good ol' Boy Network" places on women

Re: Now you got me going...

[poguer]

You have good points there, without question, and i agree whole-heartedly.

The thing that gets my goat is that be it racial or gender inequality, white males get blamed and bashed for the failures of our ancestors and other misogynistic individuals. I'm sorry I'm Caucasian. I'm sorry I'm a Christian. I'm sorry that my forefathers were bigoted and chauvinistic. However, I am proud to be a man who is secure enough to work for anyone, regardless of gender/race, who displays professional ethics. I am proud that I am an involved father, and I am proud of my friends who can take topics like this and create intelligent discussion. Thanks for sharing your ideas and thoughts.

Re: Now you got me going...

[equusregia]

It is a common tenet among feminists that sexism is harmful to men, as well as to women, and the things you are complaining about are perfect examples for why that is true.

My god, you are going to force me to write another post. I agree with you about this, especially as it relates to fatherhood, which is a topic close to my heart.

[equusregia]

I hope to get around to it, because I find it a fascinating psycho-social phenomenon. Even more so than acting, because roleplayers have more control over their characters, at least in many cases.