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From: Aaron Solomon
Date: 10/1/99
Time: 5:23:18 PM
Remote Name: 130.68.51.74
In regard to the discussion at the end of class today, I do agree with Dr. Sotillo that I (as does everyone) have certain "feminine" qualities in addition to my "masculine" qualities, but these titles of masculine and feminine are given to these characteristics (feminine for caring and selfless behavior, masculine for aggressive, independent, leader behavior) because of patriarchal societies and traditions. I believe that whatever caring and giving qualities I may have are mostly from my mother and any aggressive, assertive qualities I may have are mostly from my father, but that is only because of the way that they were raised; that roles are gender based. I believe that in reality, all of these qualities that fall under feminine or masculine are actually human characteristics, and that it should not be considered abnormal or strange for a woman to be aggressive and a male be caring. By continuing to label these qualities as such, it continues to make it a standard in this country and many others that men have certain qualities and women others, and due to these qualities, men are to be one way and women another. This makes it harder for society to accept and consider normal, a woman who is independent and a leader and speaks her mind, which is traditionally considered to be what a man should be like. Even as we approach the year 2000, and women are treated more equal to men than ever before in this country, there is still a stereotype that men should provide the income for a family and women should take care of the home and children. Until certain characteristics are no longer associated with being masculine or feminine, these stereotypes will never die as one can see how long they have been around looking back throughout the history of humans.