Let's have an open discussion of Masculinity in and out of the game
DISCLAIMER: First, let me say that this is NOT a thread for bashing anyone. This thread is meant to engage in a civil way a topic that is seemingly more and more demonized and how the game can actually solve this. So let's start.
First, let's start with culture. Culture is a fluid thing. Ethnicity is not culture but culture is tied in many cases to ethnicity.
This is what makes it difficult. The culture, for example, in a metropolis is far different than the culture in the country. Even in those large ethnically diverse cities, like Pittsburgh and San Diego, culture is extremely different.
The United States is supposed to be the cultural melting pot of the world, so we're supposed to welcome diversity in culture. I think we do a great job of it but my concern is that we are purposely excluding some more traditional cultures with the excuse "well they did it to us so there!"
That doesn't solve the issue, nor will it. TS4 has a unique opportunity to start changing this attitude. Masculinity is cultural and natural however, society right now is pushing hard, it seems, to remove all traces of masculinity and the game appears to be echoing that sentiment. After all, who hasn't heard the phrase "toxic masculinity?" Now who has heard of the phrase "toxic femininity?" I'll bet nearly everyone has heard of the former and nearly no one has heard of the latter. As a result, there is only one type of "male" and one type of "female" represented in the game. All else are semantics. Adjust the walk, adjust the clothing options from masculine (with a little "m") to ultra-feminine. Suddenly masculinity becomes one step closer to extinct.
I get that mostly gay men and women play this game so the game has to cater to that society. However, if we only cater to one category, we lose others. That's not good business sense to me. And even in the gay community, there are different tastes. Some of us (though I don't let society define me personally), still are attracted to masculine people (mainly men) and would like to see that represented in the game.
Another issue with that though is that the definition of masculine had become so negative that people are often times socially abused and brow-beaten into the shadows if they even try to have an open discussion about it. Masculine does NOT mean wife-beating, homophobic, racist bigot. Masculine, to me at least, simply means those of a more sturdy build, with a more down to earth (less flamboyant, less Liberachi and more rugged lumberjack) style, and yes actually having body hair (Heaven forbid).
So again, I think the game could do a much better job including these types in its "all-inclusive" definition.
How can the game do this? Well, for one, the game can give more plain T-shirt with button down plaid options.
Masculine types tend to be less about the clothing and more about living so clothing-wise, just more jeans that actually fit and more plaid and plain shirt options.
Job-wise, more physical labor jobs. "Construction worker" is a part-time job? Really? Maybe that's how the inner-city sees it but yeah, that's not the case. Masculine people like to get their hands dirty. So how about a construction career? Some of the job titles would be "general laborer," "back-hoe operator," "crane operator," "on-site foreman," "foreman," and so on. That's just one example of a masculine job. How about factory workers? Actual farming career? You think food comes from the fridge? Lol I mean, there are a lot of jobs available!
Lifestyle-wise, the game does a good job at this with the work table and the recycling objects. This is good. But how about some more outdoor activities, like well, my neighbor loves to work on small engines such as lawnmowers and weed whackers. How about something like that? The country living pack is really good for the country bumpkin like me and is a more traditional idea of masculinity so kudos on that!
So these are just a few ideas about what masculinity means and can be represented at least from a country man's point of view. I know that there are masculine men in the city as well but have little experience with city life so input is limited on my end.,
Anyway, so let's talk about this.
1: How do you define masculine?
2: What does your masculine sim like to do?
3: What career would your masculine sim like?
4: What would your masculine sim like to wear?
5: Does your masculine sim have/want body hair?
First, let's start with culture. Culture is a fluid thing. Ethnicity is not culture but culture is tied in many cases to ethnicity.
This is what makes it difficult. The culture, for example, in a metropolis is far different than the culture in the country. Even in those large ethnically diverse cities, like Pittsburgh and San Diego, culture is extremely different.
The United States is supposed to be the cultural melting pot of the world, so we're supposed to welcome diversity in culture. I think we do a great job of it but my concern is that we are purposely excluding some more traditional cultures with the excuse "well they did it to us so there!"
That doesn't solve the issue, nor will it. TS4 has a unique opportunity to start changing this attitude. Masculinity is cultural and natural however, society right now is pushing hard, it seems, to remove all traces of masculinity and the game appears to be echoing that sentiment. After all, who hasn't heard the phrase "toxic masculinity?" Now who has heard of the phrase "toxic femininity?" I'll bet nearly everyone has heard of the former and nearly no one has heard of the latter. As a result, there is only one type of "male" and one type of "female" represented in the game. All else are semantics. Adjust the walk, adjust the clothing options from masculine (with a little "m") to ultra-feminine. Suddenly masculinity becomes one step closer to extinct.
I get that mostly gay men and women play this game so the game has to cater to that society. However, if we only cater to one category, we lose others. That's not good business sense to me. And even in the gay community, there are different tastes. Some of us (though I don't let society define me personally), still are attracted to masculine people (mainly men) and would like to see that represented in the game.
Another issue with that though is that the definition of masculine had become so negative that people are often times socially abused and brow-beaten into the shadows if they even try to have an open discussion about it. Masculine does NOT mean wife-beating, homophobic, racist bigot. Masculine, to me at least, simply means those of a more sturdy build, with a more down to earth (less flamboyant, less Liberachi and more rugged lumberjack) style, and yes actually having body hair (Heaven forbid).
So again, I think the game could do a much better job including these types in its "all-inclusive" definition.
How can the game do this? Well, for one, the game can give more plain T-shirt with button down plaid options.
Masculine types tend to be less about the clothing and more about living so clothing-wise, just more jeans that actually fit and more plaid and plain shirt options.
Job-wise, more physical labor jobs. "Construction worker" is a part-time job? Really? Maybe that's how the inner-city sees it but yeah, that's not the case. Masculine people like to get their hands dirty. So how about a construction career? Some of the job titles would be "general laborer," "back-hoe operator," "crane operator," "on-site foreman," "foreman," and so on. That's just one example of a masculine job. How about factory workers? Actual farming career? You think food comes from the fridge? Lol I mean, there are a lot of jobs available!
Lifestyle-wise, the game does a good job at this with the work table and the recycling objects. This is good. But how about some more outdoor activities, like well, my neighbor loves to work on small engines such as lawnmowers and weed whackers. How about something like that? The country living pack is really good for the country bumpkin like me and is a more traditional idea of masculinity so kudos on that!
So these are just a few ideas about what masculinity means and can be represented at least from a country man's point of view. I know that there are masculine men in the city as well but have little experience with city life so input is limited on my end.,
Anyway, so let's talk about this.
1: How do you define masculine?
2: What does your masculine sim like to do?
3: What career would your masculine sim like?
4: What would your masculine sim like to wear?
5: Does your masculine sim have/want body hair?
