Myths about Men
For every 100 people who say they don't believe in stereotypes, probably 98 of them actually do.
10 MYTHS ABOUT MEN
Brendan Tapley explores 10 myths about men. Two of Tapley's points have gotten a lot of negative feedback: "Myth #2: Sex Is What Matters the Most" and "Myth #7: A Woman's Looks Are Everything." Posters claim these aren't myths, and that men care more about sex and a woman's looks that anything else.
Are current gender stereotypes so pervasive that even men believe the stereotypes about themselves? Sadly, this appears to be true, even though it's not surprising. Some blondes really do think blondes are dumber than brunettes, and many American blacks in the 1940s believed blacks (or negros) were inferior to whites. This type of self-stereotyping often begins in childhood. Children who are taught to feel inferior, or who are raised to believe they "want" to behave a certain way, will usually fall into the role laid out for them.
But these stereotypes, like all stereotypes, aren't true--they don't apply to everyone.
BEAUTY IS IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER
I remember many years ago I knew two women who lived in the same complex. One of them I found drop-dead gorgeous; the other I must admit I found a little homely. I got to know both of them. They were both very nice people.
After a while, the one that had seemed gorgeous looked pretty to me. I liked her, but I had gotten used to her looks. And one day I noticed that the one who had seemed somewhat homely now looked pretty to me as well. I liked her, and had gotten used to her looks.
To put this principle bluntly, if men were just going for sex, the girl who "gave it up" on her first date would snag a husband immediately. And if looks were the thing men were going for, Playboy would have gone out of business in the 1960s because there were already issues available with women men found sexually attractive. The attraction that happens because of looks can fade very quickly, which is why Playboy--and publications that are much more extreme--still make money with new models.
It's also why a friend of mine who does judge women by their looks has had unhappy relationship after unhappy relationship. And as long as men, women, boys, girls, and transgendered individuals are crammed into their separate boxes, relationships will continue to be ruined by stereotypes and assigned gender roles.
LEARN MORE
To see the other myths visit http://glo.msn.com/relationships/debunking-dude-theory-1533313.story?gt1=49006
For more on gender stereotyping, see Gender Genesis.
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Image is a line drawing of a human male. Taken from an image of the w:Pioneer plaque as created by NASA. (vectorised by OldakQuill for wikicommons). Found at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pioneer_plaque_line-drawing_of_a_human_male.svg
Entries by persons who are members or associates of The Loveshade Family do not necessarily represent the views of the whole family.
Comments
Girls who think all men are like the stereotype need to find some new men!
And Gender Genesis is awesome!
Posted by: Marie Gilbert | May 26, 2010 12:35 AM
First, get rid of that nasty picture. Kids might see this.
Second, all men want is sex with good looking women. If you think anything different you're either a deceived girl or gay.
Posted by: Justin Truble | May 26, 2010 08:35 PM
Justin that picture was on television in the 1970s so don't worry about the kids.
Stereotypes keep people separated and lead to fear and hate and wars. Men have emotions too and care about their mates. The myths are myths.
Posted by: TawTew the Naturally Perfumed | May 27, 2010 07:13 PM
Real men are real men
and that ain't bad,
Think they're all the same?
Then you've been had.
Posted by: M J Lover | May 29, 2010 04:18 AM
Myths? Truth.
1) Men get angry. That's how they show emotion.
2) Sex is important to men. Period. Let's not get all politically correct about it. It's biology.
3) A man isn't his job but the job makes the man.
4) That one's right.
5) Men hate to commit because they'll stand by their decision. Women change their minds whenever they feel like it.
6) Men like to talk to men but we don't need to talk as much as women do. There's a lot you can't discuss with a woman. They're built different.
7) A woman's looks aren't everything. There's how she uses them. And men go by what they see. That's fact.
8) This one's right too. Men do take things personally. If a guy says something we don't like we tell them. If a woman says it we let it roll off our backs.
9) Guys listen to criticism if it makes sense. When women get emotional they don't make sense so it rolls off our backs.
10) This says Boys and Girls aren't different? Man, you must have missed sex ed. Do an internet search for something other than "feelings" and "interior decorating" and you'll see what I mean.
Posted by: Tom T. Trucker | May 29, 2010 06:45 PM
Men and women are different. That's how God made them. People are trying to mix the sexes and it doesn't work.
God created Adam to be the head of Eve. God gave man the ability and responsibility to do that.
When Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, instead of Man standing up for himself as a man, he ate it too. If Adam had followed God's command, Eve would have been removed from the Garden and God would have given Adam a new wife. Eve's sin was not obeying God and her husband, and Adam's sin was doing what his wife wanted and not what God wanted.
Posted by: Christian Andy | May 31, 2010 07:34 PM
That's sweet you'd admit that about the girls Alden. But really its true. Every person is a person. You can't say "all men are like this" and "all women are like that."
Really, Andy, I don't know that the Adam and Eve story is really true. But in the Bible Eve was made from Adam's rib. Not his head for her to rule him, and not his foot for him to rule her. From his side so they could stand side by side as equals. :)
Posted by: Lorien Loveshade | June 1, 2010 04:31 PM
People sometimes call their opinion fact so that people will believe what they say must be true. But really, Tom, most of this is your opinion. Men are very, very different which is what makes them so wonderful.
Posted by: TawTew the Naturally Perfumed | June 3, 2010 07:04 PM
Tom, a man who shows emotions of anger and horniness and nothing else needs therapy.
Posted by: Marie Gilbert | June 5, 2010 05:57 PM
Men are people not stereotypes. My friend's a man and he cries at movies and sews. Does that make him less of a man?
Posted by: Dharma | June 6, 2010 01:42 PM
Men are all different that's what makes them special.
Posted by: Zora | June 13, 2010 06:20 AM
Boys will be boys
Posted by: Vernon Avaritt | June 14, 2010 10:09 PM
Right On. Kill Stereotypes!
Posted by: Just Surfed On In | June 16, 2010 08:32 PM