Gender

What does that word mean to you?

It's essentially a societal construct. Societies as the developed determined roles and standing. Historically and based on biological differences, masculinity has taken a different role from femininity. 

Different societies develop differently and elements of what their culture determines is feminine and masculine vary.

Even in our own culture things have developed in different ways. Pink was traditionally a boy's colour and only changed in the early 20th century. Go back to regency times and men wore make up, tights and heels.

Why do I ask? Two reasons.

Read an interesting article in the Guardian this week about gender identity and so called gender ideology.

The latter doesn't exist and is a tactic to diminish transgender identities. It interestingly referenced that gender identity is forever evolving. 

Anyone who says be a man's man or be girlie is just using current concepts of the average male or female identity. There are even elements of mysogony wrapped around maintaining the current perceptions.

Culture makes a huge difference to gender and culture changes. I get that the need to maintain a binary perhaps based on late 20th century philosophy satisfies some views but the 70s and 80s showed that gender lines have always been and always will be fluid.

Anyone who says for instance men can't cry or perhaps wear nail varnish are only enforcing latent identities as opposed to embracing progression. There will always be a space for conformity and there should always be a space for extravagance and experimenting. 

Conversely a woman going without make up or having a short tight hair cut does not make her masculine.

Who set these rules? Who determines what is or isn't expected. Society does it itself. So who has the right to determine how society develops. Again it should be itself. It self regulated and self develops. It does need influence exerting on it particularly with an ulterior motive which seems to be slamming the brakes on natural progression instead seeking that where we have reached now by way of natural progression is it. 

This got me thinking about my own identity. Have I tried to be to conformist? Have I not been feminine enough compared to societal expectations? I didn't have those years of growing up and developing my own look and style. I've also been conscious of trying to have a low profile to avoid issues and blend in.

Binary choices aren't good. Self expression should not be sacrificed on the altar of conformity. I see people who have given up and accepted conforming as rather sad. Be individual and express your personality through your identity.

Going forward I'll have that intent to break the mould a little bit more. Be more me and less of what society thinks I should be. 

I hope each of you takes a bit of time out and thinks about what you can do in terms of self expression. Have confidence in yourself and worry less about what others think or say. 

It is life affirming.

Amanda xx