  |
||||||
|
|
This article is part of the Valentine's Day special event at Suite101.com. Be sure to take some time and check out all the other special articles that were written from the heart by other editors at Suite101.com!
Close your eyes and imagine the most caring, loving and affectionate person you know. The person whose arms are always open for you and whose shoulder is always there for you to cry on. I'm willing to bet that more than half of you pictured a woman. Women have always been the gender that people associate with showing feelings and emotions. Men are the logical ones who do what's practical, while women are the ones who follow their hearts. Women are the fools in love, they are the ones who bring home the stray puppy, and they are the mothers who can wipe away any tear with a simple smile. At least, according to the stereotypes, that's how men and women are. Those loyal readers just know how much I love stereotypes! (Please note the sarcasm.) I'll fully admit that if I have to choose between my heart and head, most of the time I go with my heart. It might not always be practical, but it's what feels right. However, that doesn't make me a "typical" woman. It also doesn't mean that any woman should feel as if she has to always be emotional. I can be practical when I need to be. I can go with my mind when I have to. The choice between heart and head is, of course, a woman's perogitive. The emotional side of a person has often been called the "female" side. While the more practical, and sometimes "cold" side of a person is called the "male" side. This puts limits on everyone - males and females. Just as women should feel free to embrace their less emotional side, men should feel free to be emotional. Men can cry, it doesn't make them less of a man. Showing your feeling openly and honestly doesn't make you a wimp, it just makes you capable of open expression of your true self. As women have been pushing for more equal treatment in society, that has also meant pushing for less emphasis on stereotypes. Every human being has that soft, emotional side to them. Just like every human being has a side to them that doesn't focus on feelings, but concentrates on what's practical. We all need to break away from the stereotypes so that we aren't bound to our gender.
Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article The Affectionate Gender in Women's Issues is owned by . Permission to republish The Affectionate Gender in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|||||
|
|
||||||
