The Social Construction of Masculinity and Femininity

I think these readings are very insightful in a women’s studies course. Often our focus is on women, and how sexism affects us. In the meanwhile, many women forget just how much men can also suffer from patriarchy and sexism, and the social construction of masculinity in addition to femininity. Feeling as though we need to conform to being masculine or feminine only separates men and women, and serves no real purpose in society. Masculinity and femininity do not have to be two separate entities or at opposite ends of the spectrum.

I think we need to reconstruct what it is to be “feminine” or “masculine”. We must realize that both men and women possess traits that would consist of both, and that this is healthy, and in fact better for both men and women. Our world would be a much better place if we could be free to act the way we want, and express the way we feel without being burdened by what we should or should not do according to our sex. Through this, not only will it make for a better society, one that moves away from the teachings of patriarchy, but it will benefit relationships between a man and a woman, and benefit ourselves by allowing us to be free and be the complete human beings that we are.