There are a lot of ways that society tries to box men and women into certain categories and corners. Men are supposed to be breadwinners. They need to love sports, getting outside, and doing yard work, and they can’t cry under any circumstance.
Women need to enjoy getting their hair and nails done. They are responsible for being the parent who is there for their children. Women need to provide for others, while also being responsible for their own happiness.
All of these stereotypes are outdated and flat-out wrong. There is no reason why men and women have to stay in the roles that have been forced upon them for centuries. Gender norms are a human-created concept, and people can break free from them.
We’ll talk about some of the common male stereotypes that still prevail today, and how men can work their way out from under them. We’ll talk about why male auto insurance is more expensive than female auto insurance, and we’ll discuss some of the other ways that men lose out on important experiences because of how society makes fun of them.
Stereotype #1 – Men Don’t Like Fashion
There are a lot of things to understand about fashion for men. The media and the majority of marketing from department stores always focus on women’s apparel. This can make men who want to dress nicely feel like they are being “too feminine” by caring about what they wear.
There have been a lot of words used to describe men who like to dress up. The term “metrosexual” was a popular term for fashion-forward men at the turn of the century, as we for some reason always have to tie a man’s fashion with their sexuality.
As we have tried to move forward to less-gendered and less-sexualized stereotypes surrounding clothing, more men have felt comfortable expressing their fashion sense. What has been revealed in the process is that clothing can make men feel more comfortable and confident in their own skin.
When people see that you have put thought into your outfit, your self-image improves. Men who dress nicely are able to buck the stereotypes about male laziness, sloppiness, and carelessness. Fashion demonstrates that men are thinking about how to show up for an event in style.
Stereotype #2 – Men Are Irrational on the Road
While many men argue that women don’t know how to drive as well as them, it’s actually the other way around when it comes to insurance companies. Auto insurance rates are routinely higher for men of all ages compared to their female counterparts. Why is this? It usually has to do with stereotypes surrounding male irrational behavior.
Men are usually excited to get their driver’s license so they can get behind the wheel and see how fast their car goes. Some young boys have been involved in cars and the auto industry since childhood, helping their father fix stuff in the garage as a kid. This means that when they get the chance to see the work they’ve put in on a car, they might get a little too exuberant.
This is a stereotype that is going to be hard for men to change. They have had higher insurance premiums than women for decades. Something that each individual male can do to improve their chances of getting a cheaper policy is to be on their best behavior while driving.
Insurance companies are more critical of you, so you need to respond with skill and patience when behind the wheel. Don’t get speeding tickets. Don’t get pulled over parking on the wrong side of the road.
The smallest infraction can do damage to your reputation when the odds are already stacked against you. If every man tried harder to do these things, it might just help change the stereotypes around male drivers.
Stereotype #3 – Men Have to Play Sports
Young boys are always encouraged to play sports. It is a sign of masculinity if you can throw a football or shoot a basketball through the hoop. This is one of the most outdated stereotypes about male entertainment. Boys shouldn’t have to do sports to feel like they are adequate at school or at home.
This starts by having both parents and instructors at school encourage a wide range of activities and extracurricular involvement for boys. If male students want to do something else with their time, encourage them to explore those interests. Sports are great for your physical health, but there are other options to get exercise.
Running, playing tag with friends, or even going on a bike ride with the family are great alternatives to traditional sports. Boys just need to be encouraged to figure out what they want to do for fun instead of being told by the adults and children in their lives. There is no such thing as gendered fun. Society has created this problem, and it needs to end.
Stereotype #4 – Men Can’t Cry
For some reason, showing emotion is a sign of weakness. Men are supposed to be strong both physically and mentally. This means that they are often discouraged from showing their emotions outwardly. No crying, no sulking, and no getting depressed about the bad things that happen in life.
This creates a very dangerous trend that can be very damaging to male mental health. When men are discouraged from talking to people, going to therapy, or expressing emotions, they keep everything bottled up. This can lead to problems like anxiety, depression, and suicide.
If you have a male loved one or friend who seems like they are acting differently than normal, ask them if they are feeling alright. Keep checking up on them until they are honest about their mental health with you. It could really make a huge impact on their life.
There is no reason for gendered stereotypes in 2023. Gender is a construct that was built by people to force men and women into certain roles. Gender is different from sex.
Just because a male is able to lift a heavy object, it doesn’t mean they should be forced to go into construction. It doesn’t mean men should have to play football because they have big shoulders. Everyone deserves to express themselves in their own way no matter what.
Author Bio:
Shawn Laib writes and researches for the auto insurance site, AutoInsurance.org. He wants to help dispel gender stereotypes that have been plaguing society for years.