Let's have an open discussion of Masculinity in and out of the game

"BlueR0se;c-18066116" wrote:
The fun thing about gender is that because it's a social construct, its definition is "fluid" in that it depends on when & where you're referring to how it's defined. Western expectations on gender roles/gender performance is going to be very different from eastern ones and that's not going into the individual countries & their cultures within each group. That being said this is an interesting conversation so let me fill out the questionnaire.

1: How do you define masculine?
Objectively as something that pertains to the determined "masculine" gender roles of whatever group. Personally, I grew up in the U.S. so western ideas of masculinity are heavily influences to my understanding; both the healthy and toxic aspects of masculinity in western society. Note: Feminity has its toxicity too, but this discussion is for masculinity so a topic for another occasion.

I don't really have a specific definition but I can identify aspects when I see them (at least for western notions on masculinity). I think certain positive qualities like confidence/pride, strength, self-control, fortitude, leadership and whatnot are definitely key aspects but they aren't the only ones. I think sometimes these qualities can be taken to extremes and it ends up turning into more toxic masculine traits.

2: What does your masculine sim like to do?
I really don't categorize my sims has masculine/feminine too much as they tend to be more fluid. But my more masculine sims tend to be more athletic and more muscular.

3: What career would your masculine sim like?
Whatever is fitting for them? I feel like the game is too shallow for my sims to really "want" something.
/
4: What would your masculine sim like to wear?
Whatever I want them to wear, lol. Most tend to wear general 'dude' clothes but arguably one of my most masculine sims (super ripped, has a beard, etc.) wears dresses/skirts and dresses very feminine.

5: Does your masculine sim have/want body hair?
My sims have body hair because I want them to have body hair. I use CC and I hope one day we can get it for basegame. Pretty much all my men (and some women) have body hair at various thickness. Some have more, some have less.

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Ultimately, I found this kind of hard to answer because my sims are an extension of my ideas of gender and playing around with it via them. Because I don't really prescribe to my society's ideals of gender roles (or at least it's tendency to be so strict on adhering to said gender role ideals); they tend to be more fluid. Ex: Jeb Harris in my game is a handy and athletic farmer type but has a penchant for writing, playing the guitar, knitting, and floral arrangement.

Certain hobbies/activities aren't inherently 'girly' or 'boyish' as much as it is we are associating them with those labels. And these definitions are constantly evolving/changing within their own culture.

That being said, the game could definitely use more western 'traditionally masculine' hobbies/careers/clothes. One of the things I miss the most when it came to cars was the Sims 2's car mechanic skill. That was so much fun. Woodworking/carpentry could really use an overhaul and add more things to it.