"PenguinFoop;c-18066152" wrote:
"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.
These are some really good points but keep in mind that the topic is masculine and inversely feminine aspects, not necessarily gender.
But masculinity is tied to gender (loosely)?
Wikipedia's definition of masculinity: "Masculinity (also called manhood or manliness) is a set of attributes, behaviors, and roles associated with men and boys. Masculinity can be understood as socially constructed, and there is also evidence that some behaviors considered masculine are influenced by both cultural factors and biological factors."
Now, are there masculine women (or women with masculine interests/behaviors)? Yes. But that's cause it's a label for something that is generally a social/cultural construct. But while it can be present in other genders, I feel like it's still tied to men by its very nature. I am all for expanding definitions and not restricting people to certain roles. But I feel like it's going to be very difficult to have a conversation about masculinity and not talk about gender (roles). If that makes sense.
