Man: Encyclopedia II - Man - Gender roles

Man - Gender roles

In terms of gender, men differ from women by a variety of behaviors. Certain characteristics generally associated with men may be delineated; it is important to remember that the following are stereotypes and are by no means true of all men.

Men are thought to be more:

• Aggressive than women. However, in interpersonal relationships, most research has found that men and women are equally aggressive. Men do tend to be more aggressive outside of the home.
• Courageous and adventuresome than women (citation?)
• Self-confident (even proud) and to exhibit better leadership skills than women
• Self-controlled and less emotional (see note)
• Technically and organizationally skilled than women
• Prone to abstract thinking than women
• Less tidy (dirtier) than women [2]

In terms of outward appearance, few men in Western cultures wear cosmetics or clothing generally associated with female gender roles. (Doing so is known as cross-dressing, and is generally stigmatized.) Fashions change, however: whereas wearing jewelry was formerly associated with females, today in Western cultures it is common for men to wear earrings without being perceived as cross-dressing. The same has become true of the shaving off of unwanted body and facial hair, though removal of the latter has long been common among men in many cultures.

Note: This particular stereotype did not exist in the way it is thought of today (i.e., its applications to particular aspects and spheres of life, such as work vs. home) until the nineteenth century, beginning with industrialization.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Gender roles", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki