h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

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Good point Ferrett. And I think it's fair to say that most women have a reasonable understanding of femininity and how to use it."

One theory in anthropology is that since children of both sexes are nurtured by women in their early years, boys aren't exposed as much to their own gender model as girls are. Girls acquire the female model quite naturally, but boys have to construct their male identity based on much more distant models and only with a vague perception of what a 'man' is.

Hmm, but my husband spent more time with the kids ('stay at home dad' so to speak). Will my son grow up to be more in touch with his masculinity? Does my husband's job/role make my him less of a 'man'?

And consequently would my son not be able to learn to be masculine because my husband has taken on a nurturing role?

Get your heads round that one....

What exactly do you lot mean by masculinity and feminity anyway? Is it just characteristics of people of that gender who you fancy/aspire to?

Pamela Anderson is a Real Woman? Surely not all of her is 'real'.

<<A Real Woman is visibly female with curves in the right places, can run the home, be a mother & look stylish. (I don't think I qualify!)>> (Teasswill)

I agree with Alex that this sounds like a 50's stereotype. Mind you, so do most of the Real Men descriptions posted here.

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Both very good points!

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Hmmm, didn't think that was meant to be read as 'REAL GUYS', rather, let's just be REAL, guys (guys = us). But of course you all knew that.


az

Yes, you're right Az. I meant guys=us. Let's all be REAL.

Can I still be pretend?

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Feminity?

But a good question.

Genetically speaking we all have male/female aspects happening.

However, what it means to be either masculine or feminine (in the way you asked) is very subjective and also depends on which society one lives in.

I don't particularly think of my ability to be strong and analytical as masculine qualities, nor do I think my ability to empathise and be very emotional to be particularly feminine qualities.

In my twenties I never made such differences in my dealings with men and women - I simply saw them as people. Later on I learned that people *did* tend to see themselves in a limited way - based on their sex. I was actually very surprised to learn this.

Me? I'm *all woman*, baby. Not sure what being 'feminine' actually means, to be honest. But I also don't really care.

I seem to be both incredibly vulnerable and very strong at the same time. If that makes any sense. And I don't think I am alone with this personal description - I also don't think it has anything to do with what sex someone is.


az

I can do what I like, I dont need to understand masculinity everything i do is masculine by virtue of the fact that I do it.

"I dont need to *be* cool, *I am* cool"

My articficial shin does not diminsih my realness does it?

So why does a bit of silicone stop Pammy being a real woman?

We all change ourselves a little bit, peirced ears, tattoos, permed hair and a whole advertisers wet dream of of different things we will spend cash on to look more or less like other men and women.

Maybe your only real if you've got produts aimed at you?


one love

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It was a joke, honey, hence the after the comment.

az

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I can certainly see how a fair proportion of the population might believe that given the number of adverts which basically say "if you don't buy this people will ignore you."

Im actually smiley blind.

This along with my colour blindeness is yet more proof of my masculinty.

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Does that mean you see a little black void at the end of all your posts?

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Oh, you are not.

*smacks blicky about the head with a wet dead fish*

Take that!

az

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Quite right, my son behaves as he does because of the huge range of factors which influence him and his life. Same goes for my daughter and my husband....and my boyf for that matter (didn't want to leave him out)

Ice.

Didn't know you were colour blind too, Blicky!

So does that mean I can stop living in the pub and pretending to enjoy sports and still be real man, then?

Noggin

Since the old stereotypes don't seem to be as useful as they once were, what kinda charisterics would y'all chose in creating an updated ideal of being a Real Mensch? (I *almost* said real human, or person, but that could cross over into definition problems better left in another thrread).

MoG, you took the words out of my mouth (or off my keyboard as the case may be)...

Its why they wouldnt let me be a firefighter

I like fires and I'd look damn good in the uniforrm too.

Yes Pete you can stop pretending to like sports but I thought you looked quite at home in the pub. Still philosophers must be real men as I dont know any lady ones.

Well the thing is, if masculinity and femininnyity aren't defined then all these suggestions that a lot of men don't understand masculinity while most women learn to be in touch with their...give up on spelling it...is that its not really founded on anything and what you're really saying is that there are more men who have a different opinion to you on what masulinity than there are women who have a different opinion on femininity.

So I will stick with my current crass generalisation of an opinion: lots of men refuse to use moisturiser, lots of women wear high heels, neither of these decisions makes any sense.

Oh, and anyone who has never used an axe or a powered concrete smashing thingy is missing out on some of the most fun you can have by yourself. Next stop: wrecking balls .

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Frankly, I can't be bothered to worry about whether the cup is real or not, I just want it full of nice hot coffee in the morning.



az