Gender Stereotypes

Stereotypes are just that, generalizations about the characteristics or behavior of some group of people. Fact is, some are true, and some are false. Now, you can disagree in your comments, but this is my take on gender stereotypes.

1. Romance novels are for women – Would anyone argue that romances novels are primarily read my women? In my entire life, I’ve known hundreds of women that read romance, yet I’ve only known one straight guy that did.

2. Most men do hold back their emotions – Ever heard a man say, “Had a great cry last night watching Casa Blanca.” I don’t think so. Whether it’s upbringing or hormones, men do not show their soft side to the degree of women. There are exceptions, like me (and my wife hates it).

3. Men do have a greater sex drive than women – That’s been proven scientifically. Men think about it every few minutes, women every few days. Plus, the area of the brain that affects sex drive is two and a half times bigger in men than women.

4. Woman like frilly stuff – Ok Candi and Mindy, I’m sure you’re the exceptions, but most women do like frilly things, accessories, brick a brac stuff. Need proof? Ever seen a single man in a craft or accessory shop? No, the only men I’ve seen there are one’s like me that get drug kicking and screaming. My wife and I used to make crafts and sell them at shows. About 90% of the attendees were women, and the few men were there to drive the car and carry the packages.

I could give several dozen more true ones, but that proves my point that some generalizations are true.

False

1. Men are smarter than women -I know, sounds like I’m kissing butt here, but my experience shoots this stereotype down big time. I have seen women come of with solutions to problems that evaded me, and visa versa. I do think we approach problems differently, but I think that’s a good thing and can result in better team solutions.

2. Men don’t experience deep emotions – Cow pies on that one too. Men do experience deep feelings; we generally just don’t share them with anyone. I’ve actually had friends share some really deep stuff about the women they love, loneliness, sadness, etc, but it’s always in a one on one setting.

3. Real men don’t cry – Bull, they do. I am a real alpha male and I tear up on really heart grabbing stuff. Not when I hit my leg with a sledgehammer, not when I’m depressed, not even when I watch The Yearling. But when I watch a child grab her father around the neck after coming back from a year deployment in the war zone and she’s crying; gets me every time. When I watch my grand daughter hug her daddy’s leg for no reason except she loves him, really chokes me up. When I listen to the country songs “Skin” or “It wouldn’t be long” or “Love the way she loves me”, my throat tightens. And it’s not just me. I’ve been talking to friends that lost their wife, mentioned something cute and feminine my wife did, and had these grown men tear up right in front of me. And believe me, these guys are still into B&B, tell dirt jokes, and like to eat tons of read meat. They are men in all the true senses, but they have a soft core that’s encased in a castle to fend off those that would attack their vulnerabilities.

4. Men and women can’t be good friends – That’s absolute bull. This stereotype was actually the subject of a movie (“Harry meant Sally”). I have a ton of ladies that are buds, I’ve never thought of them in a lusty way, and I enjoy our friendship.

In my three decades of a professional career, I’ve seen many stereotypes broken in the workplace, most good, some not. For example, a recent survey said that more than 50% of women are happy without a man in their life. They could be lying to the interviewer, and I hope so. To me, that apparent trend to turn away from romance is extremely morose and disheartening. With all its heartache, with all the struggling between the genders, we were made for each other and without the opposite gender in our life; the journey can never be as complete. I don’t want to see the stereotype broken that women want a man, need a man, dream of a man in their life. If that gift from the big guy fades; our existence as a species may survive, but for what reason? Without that emotional linkage between the genders, what do we really have? Nothing I’m interested in.

Till next time

Big Mike

Davisstories.com