Clothing and gender stereotypes\freedom of expression.?

Question

Perhaps a little off topic, but why do you suppose it is that nobody has a problem with a women wearing "male" clothing and everyone seems to have a problem with the reverse?

I mean there was a time that a woman was expected to be in a dress regardless of what she was doing, now she has the freedom to choose, pants or a skirt. I think this is great.

For a long time in a professional environment, women were expected to wear pantyhose even if it was hot out. A man can't wear pantyhose whether he wants to or not, and I have heard some men on Yahoo that would like to wear pantyhose, but feel they can't. I say let the men have the pantyhose lol

Men can't even wear a kilt in public without ridicule, even though it is or at least was "male" clothing.

In some ways I think women truly have more freedoms than the men, what do you think?

Answer 1

I agree with you. Our society's concept of masculinity is really skewed. A man in a skirt is just as male as a man in pants; the former simply chooses to wear something different. Gender roles are stupid anyway. People should wear what they'd like.

Answer 2

This problem is causing my attention day by day.  As a crossdresser I am suffering from those opinions who can only distinguish between black and white: 100% man or 100% woman, nothing inbetween!

Modern gender studies have revealed that both boys and girls are born with masculine and feminine traits in their characters, the percentage shares of traits according to your genetic s*x and according to the opposite one being very variable.

The right to be, to explore and express your own identity, means that everybody, every individual, should be allowed to dress like he/she feels, without being teased or ridiculed.

The only condition should be a reasonable passing, in order not to hurt anybody.

We are tolerant towards other people´s opinions (or we pretend to be!), so we should be tolerant about other people´s dress code as well.  No question: If women are wearing pants today, men should also be allowed to wear skirts and dresses. If somebody is really cute, so let him be!Does anybody think it is a shame to wear the outfit of the pretended inferior s*x?  This would be a very outdated attitude in a society of equal rights and equal chances between the sexes.

To experiment with gender boudaries can be a very exciting adventure. Those who dare, may be richer and more interesting than others who are always thinking mainstream.  This should not be understood as a recommendation for everybody, but as an appeal to everybody to be more open-minded about gender related dress codes.  Freedom is always the freedom of those who are different.

Answer 3

A REAL MAN WOULDNT WEAR WOMENS CLOTHES

Answer 4

Umm why would a dude what to wear something as sucky as pantyhose. Why would men want to wear any of women's clothing for that matter!! Most of women's clothes are very uncomfortable and binding!

Answer 5

Again a lot of questions in one!

It is a fact that in general women have more freedoms than men. It is also to a great extent men's own fault, since they are so submissive and docile, accept restrictive role models as if it is the most normal thing and don't seem to have the slightest inclination to stand up for their rights. A men's lib movement would not be a bad idea and probably be called for these days.

Clothing is clearly a good example of the lack of freedom and choice men have. Women wear men's clothing but the other way round is a problem in society. Call it narrow mindedness, double standards, lack of flexibility, hypocrisy, whatever, but it remains a fact.

Coming to the pantyhose part in your question, in the very limites male clothing range there is no equivalent to pantyhose. There are many men who not only would like to wear pantyhose, but in fact wear them and love it. Of course they have to do it in the privacy of their homes, or underneath their daily clothes. But the numbers are increasing. I agree with you: let the men have pantyhose too. A lot of them do already, after all you don't need anybody's permission to wear them. There are women who accept and are comfortable with men wearing pantyhose, but they still seem to be few and far between. I'm all for equal standards in clothing and in other fields.

Answer 6

This is true in many areas.  I think it is because females are often not considered to be as good as males, especially be men.  So a woman or girl who does things associated with men does not bother anyone, because she is copying the superior gender.  A man or boy who does what is associated with women is copying the inferior group.  The actual effect of this is to give women more freedom.

Women can wear men's clothing without any problems, but men should not wear women's clothes.  A girl who seems to act like a boy is a "tomboy" which is fine, but a boy who seems to act like a girl is a "sissy".

Answer 7

Pantyhose are bad for both sexes.

Answer 8

When it comes to clothing and other fashion trends, i absolutely agree.

Answer 9

It's irrelevant, because hardly any men WANT to wear women's clothing, while many women do want to wear what is traditionally thought of as men's clothing. Not only does this fact make your question irrelevant, but it also answers it. If many men wanted to wear women's clothing, they would start to, and it would become more and more normal.

Answer 10

Women have more freedom than men in much more than "some ways".  This clothing issue is just a small example.

Answer 11

I like pantyhose- even with my slacks!