As we progress through different stages in life, we all encounter challenges stemming from the responsibilities and expectations tied to the roles we assume. These challenges often arise due to the emergence of new roles such as being a spouse, a parent, or a teacher. Nevertheless, our gender is a fundamental aspect of our identity that remains constant.
While I may not fully comprehend the experience of being the opposite gender, I can make an effort to explain societal expectations for males in the United States based on my personal experiences and observations. Initially, it is important to acknowledge certain drawbacks associated with being male. In specific situations, women have the ability to influence through nonverbal communication, while men often rely on external factors or objects for manipulation. The movie “Erin Brockovich” illustrates this characteristic when Julia Roberts portrays a financially disadvantaged single mother who employs her cleavage as a means to achieve her objectives. Another negative aspect that I perceive as a male is the inability to purchase and wear clothing intended for females. To gain understanding about masculinity, I joined an online chat channel catering to transsexual individuals where I discovered that society has stigmatized men who buy and wear female clothing. A male participant in the chat pointed out how women can freely acquire items marketed towards any gender without facing criticism; however, men are negatively judged if they choose to don anything deemed feminine. Despite occasionally wearing attire designed for males myself, I am aware that if I were to wear a light pink shirt, society would likely categorize me as peculiar or homosexual.
While there are advantages to being male, such as not needing to bring a gift when visiting a friend and receiving fair treatment from service organizations, I have personally faced discrimination. In my attempt to purchase a car slightly above my family’s budget, I asked for a discount at the dealership but was only given $500 off. However, when my father went there later on, he received a $3,500 discount. Despite this disparity in treatment, I ultimately succeeded in acquiring the desired car.
Society has established gender role stereotypes, which have both advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, it is our own choice to determine the direction of our lives.
