A code for masculinity?
Okonkwo spends his life struggling between the man he is and the man he is supposed to be. There is this supposed code of masculinity that he feels he should follow, according to what society expected from him, as a violent and strong man, and even during his exile, he reinforces this conception of superiority of men over women in terms of strength.
As Bill Pozzobon presents on his TED talk, there is a code in our society of what a man is supposed to be, act or look like. And what defines that code is our context, our family, our friends, our education, our story.
He presents the idea that we introduce this idea of manhood even to babies, as we select them by colors, giving pink to girls an blue for boys. From the very start, we separate the genders and start this tradition of what we think society considers masculine.
Society is changing and nowadays, it is okay to show emotions or, in some way, to be more feminine, since women have become independent and validated by our society and because of that, it's accepted to show a feminine side.
Years ago, a man had to be strong, hard, almost violent, to prove his masculinity. Today, a man can cry, can show emotions, can even wear pink.
Do you think, in our modern society, that men have really accepted to be more feminine?
And for the women, do you feel comfortable when a man shows his emotions or his feminine side?
One more video, so it can help to think about the answers:
I strongly believe nowadays there's this certain kind of "freedom" feeling that somehow allows people to behave just the way they want to. However, I would say there is still plenty of job to do in order to accept other people's way of living, ideas, etc. For instance, nowadays we crearly see how women have taken an active an essential role in our society performing things that back in the old days were related whit man's role; moreover, this is seen in a good way by our society. On the other hand we have the other way round: man expressing feelings, being deep or maybe worried about his appearance is still seen in a bad way because those are also seen as women's features. To sum up, I'm not sure about how long will take us to open our mind and breake these stereotypes, i just hope this happens in the near future.
ResponderEliminarI couldn't agree more with you, in terms that our society needs to break stereotypes and become open minded. We need to star caring less about the others, live and let live.
EliminarAnd, as you Nicolás, I too hope this happens in the near future....
It seems to me that a man telling other men how they should behave is a clear example of insecurity. A person mature enough knows that s/he can act however s/he wants, no matter what people might say.
ResponderEliminarIt makes no sense depriving yourself of things you want just because you're expected to behave in a certain way.
It's your life! I know it's cliché, but people are not aware of the power they have over their own lives.
Besides, you only live once.
I wholeheartedly agree with you José. If you care too much about other's lives might be an example of insecurity. People need to learn that every single solitry person has their own life style, their own beliefs and every person knows how to live their life, and so we have to respect that.
EliminarAnd if society has a certain pattern of how we should be, it depends on us if we want to follow that pattern or if we want to break the mold and be ourselves.
I coincide with Nicolas and Jose's ideas; everybody is free to act and dress as they want, without affecting others integrity of course.
ResponderEliminarI think men can wear anything (come on...is just a color) and also express their feelings.
We (men and women) decide what to express, its part of our nature and that is what makes us different.
Sadly, we are part of a society that makes fun of EVERYTHING! That's why changing people's minds full of stereotypes will be very difficult.
I think, as you said, that change some stereotypes is not easy. But also, I believe it depends on us. We have the power to make the change and to make others respect who we are, no matter what that means. We need to start respecting the others, if we want them to respect us.
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ResponderEliminarI completely tally with all of you regarding that everybody is free to decide what to do with their own life, obviosuly with responsability. In relation to your question , I would say that we need to stop with that conception about men , that they are rude or that they do not cry because is part of their masculinity, due to the reason that that is an empty thought. Finally , I also hope that this way of thinking change in a future :)
ResponderEliminarI am in complete agreement with you Caro, as I tally with the idea of a modern society in which everyone is free to be who they want to be, to express their personalities and basically, to be happy being ourselves!!! It is time also, not only to express ourselves as we are, but also learn to respect and tolerate each others!!!
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