Anything about you that goes against "traditional" gender roles?

[ToeInTheWater]

The recent topic on how “women should appreciate masculine virtues” inspired this.

I suspect many posting on CAF have attributes that do not follow traditional gender roles.

For example, I work in a traditionally male-dominated career field, and I follow professional sports. I also participated in competitive swimming when I was young. I wear pants when I work, though I do wear dresses and skirts at home. I do think modesty is important but I do not think wearing pants is inherently immodest.

I also tend toward being messy, I have never figured out how to keep my home organized and pristine the way a 1950’s housewife supposedly did. But I think some of this is just not being taught, because my mother is also like that. On the other hand my mother is a great cook and I have followed in that.

I have never questioned my gender identity, I am certainly a woman even if I may not possess all of the traditionally “feminine virtues”.

 

[DarkLight]

I also tend toward being messy, I have never figured out how to keep my home organized and pristine the way a 1950’s housewife supposedly did.

Oh good heavens, I don’t have an organized bone in my body.

I’m in philosophy, which is heavily male-dominated (probably more even than STEM). I wanted to study theology as a young adult but in the church I grew up in that wasn’t allowed. I’m also pretty determinedly single and don’t have a desire towards a husband or children.

I did go through a period of questioning my gender identity, which I think was largely predicated on the world I grew up in looking like men got to do all the fun stuff I wanted to do but that wasn’t feminine.

 

[Irishmom2]

I do all the handymam work around our home, not my husband. I enjoy it and I am pretty good at what I do. I have picked up skills over the years from all those tv shows I used to watch, but now, mostly on Pinterest, lol!

 

[Soletluna]

Extreme traditionalism bugs me.

I dress up for Sunday Mass but am a comfy jeans and T-shirt type of girl the rest of the week. I’m comfortable with my job (I would be homeless and begging otherwise), and am content with my current situation in life, and have much to thank for!!!

I’ve had creepy guys come to me after mass and hand pamphlets about being a martyr, quitting your job, getting married and having a bunch of kids. To not do so meant you were not a good Catholic, or a feminist, or a gay! Ahhhhhhhh!!! I suspect some of these guys’ motives may be other than pure… what an insult to my womanhood!

I’m a woman, thank you very much, and Catholic, and I definitely not a feminist! Peace everybody - just love God !

 

[Lea101]

I like jeans. I’ll argue that it’s still feminine but some think any sort of pants is masculine.

I like superheroes…

I hate cleaning and the idea that women should be in charge of the home- no, it’s our home. Everyone needs to help out and clean after themselves.

Some people say I have a masculine way of thinking. I’m personally not sure about this…but i do notice a difference between the way how my friends and I react to stuff.

There’s this stereotype that women need to talk and talk…I’m not like that personally. I can sit by myself and sulk

I’m also not a nurturing person. I love babies, but I don’t see a difference between how a guy and i react to a cute baby tbh.

I’m not sweet and gentle, I’m incredibly stubborn and I HATE IT when people try to assert authority on me when they don’t deserve it.

I cannot really place my finger on it, but while I like fashion, makeup, etc, I know that I’m not that feminine.

 

[Hatikvah]

Oh good heavens, I don’t have an organized bone in my body.

I’m in philosophy, which is heavily male-dominated (probably more even than STEM). I wanted to study theology as a young adult but in the church I grew up in that wasn’t allowed. I’m also pretty determinedly single and don’t have a desire towards a husband or children.

Personally, I say “good for you” (it is not intended to be sarcastic or snarky) for taking an interest in philosophy and theology. They are male-dominated, yes, but enlightenment and enjoyment can be found in them both by anyone of either gender.

The recent topic on how “women should appreciate masculine virtues” inspired this.

I suspect many posting on CAF have attributes that do not follow traditional gender roles.

I don’t think that I have very many things that go against the traditional masculine gender identity. Personally, I’m not all that in to being muscular and bulky, just in being fit and healthy.

I wouldn’t at all fit with the “jock” stereotype, but I don’t fit neatly into the “geek” or “nerd” stereotype either. I’m not all that sporty primely because I’m just not interested in that as a hobby.

I’ve never questioned by gender identity, as I’m a male because I’m a male and I am the way that I am which just so happens to be that I am a male. (Summary: I’m a male for being a male.)

 

[Lookingforjoy]

For years, I was the wage earner while my husband was a stay-at-home dad.

I don’t back down from an argument. When I feel I’m right, I dig in and don’t give way.

I’m not demure, quiet, or graceful. I’m authoritative and say what’s on my mind instead of trying to maneuver or quietly influence those around me.

 

[Hatikvah]

Oh good heavens, I don’t have an organized bone in my body.

I’m in philosophy, which is heavily male-dominated (probably more even than STEM). I wanted to study theology as a young adult but in the church I grew up in that wasn’t allowed. I’m also pretty determinedly single and don’t have a desire towards a husband or children.

Personally, I say “good for you” (it is not intended to be sarcastic or snarky) for taking an interest in philosophy and theology. They are male-dominated, yes, but enlightenment and enjoyment can be found in them both by anyone of either gender.

The recent topic on how “women should appreciate masculine virtues” inspired this.

I suspect many posting on CAF have attributes that do not follow traditional gender roles.

I don’t think that I have very many things that go against the traditional masculine gender identity. Personally, I’m not all that in to being muscular and bulky, just in being fit and healthy.

I will admit that I would rather have everyone help out, go to work, clean, etc, when they can. The male does not need to work with the female taking care of the kids and house. Everyone should pitch in where they are needed and especially where they are most oriented to. Social roles evolve, yes, but it’s not taking it too “progressive” to have equality.

I’ve never questioned by gender identity, as I’m a male because I’m a male and I am the way that I am which just so happens to be that I am a male. (Summary: I’m a male for being a male.)

 

[Hatikvah]

For years, I was the wage earner while my husband was a stay-at-home dad.

I don’t back down from an argument. When I feel I’m right, I dig in and don’t give way.

I’m not demure, quiet, or graceful. I’m authoritative and say what’s on my mind instead of trying to maneuver or quietly influence those around me.

I think we need more women like you.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

Oh, I should also add that I am not a fan of makeup. I have gotten to the age where I do wear some tinted moisturizer and lip gloss, but nothing more than that. I tried to get into it when I was younger and just wound up throwing out a lot of makeup that had expired.

I also never got into elaborately styling my hair, I just tie it into a ponytail.

I do try to pay attention the rudimentals of fashion, but I have my share of threadbare clothes that are literally ten years old that I do wear (though I don’t wear them to work).

 

[Sarcelle]

I am sweet, gentle and demure.

However when people try to bully me, I can and do fight back. In short, I am not a pushover.

Someone called me a well shielded nuclear reactor. It may seem harmless outside but watch out when the defenses get breached.

 

[bitterhope]

Captain America is who I wanted to be when I was a little girl. I love sports, especially baseball. I am very disorganized. I can fix anything including my van. I’d much rather watch the Avengers than any girlie movie. I live in jeans, tshirts and boots. I wrestle and roughhouse with my kids and climb trees even when I’m pregnant. I used to break Thorobred race horses for a living until I got married, now I never get to ride because I’m always pregnant. Basically I was, am, and always will be a tomboy. I don’t where makeup, rarely wear jewelry and have never colored/styled my hair. I just pull it back in a braid, ponytail or bun or I wear it simply in some way. My dad used to joke that it was good I was closest in age to one of my brothers because I probably would have hurt one of my sisters playing the way I did. But I’m also very comfortable in skirts. I’m very motherly, always was. I have no issues deferring to my husband’s judgment even though he rarely has in 20 years of knowing each other made a decision without me. Usually he asks me what to do and nearly always follows my lead. I do let my girls put makeup on me sometimes or paint my nails, and I love painting their nails for them. We have family tea parties too. So I guess I am just all mixed up.

 

[AClaire11]

I hate cleaning the bathroom and kitchen and have to force myself to keep things tidy in general.

I grew up playing a sport that at the time was almost exclusively played by boys.

I almost never wear makeup, perfume, or nail polish, and rarely change up my jewelry.

 

[Fauken]

I hate dresses, skirts, and make-up. I’m majoring in Electrical Engineering, my department is about 15% female, and I want I eventually go to law school, which isn’t female dominated either. I practiced Tae Kwon Do for years, could kick boys taller than me in the head, and beat just about everyone at point sparring. I also love fencing and video games, and wear a hoodie and jeans. I also wore boy Halloween costumes since I thought all the girl ones were either too sissy or revealing.

My favorite Disney Princess is Mulan!

 

[Irishmom2]

I hate dresses, skirts, and make-up. I’m majoring in Electrical Engineering, my department is about 15% female, and I want I eventually go to law school, which isn’t female dominated either. I practiced Tae Kwon Do for years, could kick boys taller than me in the head, and beat just about everyone at point sparring. I also love fencing and video games, and wear a hoodie and jeans. I also wore boy Halloween costumes since I thought all the girl ones were either too sissy or revealing.

My favorite Disney Princess is Mulan!

I love the visual I picture of you kicking boys taller than you in the head!

 

[po18guy]

I am answering between the lines. Being a practicing, lifetime, extremely active homosexual is not a barrier to joining the Catholic Church. Neither is a history of *any other sin. *

That being said, one is called first to examine what God has revealed regarding good and evil, sin and righteousness, and the two created genders as well as their complimentary natures.

In studying the concept of sin, perhaps the most important aspect is the why certain things are considered sinful. Those who join the faith are expected to grant intellectual assent to the teachings of the Church. Further, to struggle against what has been revealed to be sinful.

If this does not apply to you, what you are saying is that you are an individual. Everyone wants to know what “average” is. It is a mathematical construct used in statistics, and which does not apply to anyone on earth. SO, forget about being average. In either case, welcome!

 

[DarkLight]

If this does not apply to you, what you are saying is that you are an individual. Everyone wants to know what “average” is. It is a mathematical construct used in statistics, and which does not apply to anyone on earth. SO, forget about being average. In either case, welcome!

I think you’ll find a lot of people who talk about these “averages” (which may not even be genuine averages) in a prescriptive sense, rather than as simple descriptions. One thing that was a stumbling block for me coming to the church was how womanhood so often seemed to be seen exclusively through the lens of motherhood. I’m not a mother and I don’t want to be. I like other people’s kids, yes. So did my father - much more than my mother. But I don’t consider myself maternal - I just don’t see myself in that way, even if that’s what a woman is supposed to be.

 

[oldrover]

Anything about you that goes against “traditional” gender roles?

Not that I know of. I love my wife, sports, cigars, scotch… I play the piano, and I’m always trying to make the sound as powerful as possible.

That said, I generally prefer the company of women to men. More for the differences between us than anything else. Plus I’m a better listener than talker. LOL

 

[ToeInTheWater]

I am answering between the lines. Being a practicing, lifetime, extremely active homosexual is not a barrier to joining the Catholic Church. Neither is a history of *any other sin. *

That being said, one is called first to examine what God has revealed regarding good and evil, sin and righteousness, and the two created genders as well as their complimentary natures.

What does homosexuality have to do with my question? I am not at all trying to defend being an active homosexual.

It seems you are claiming that it is a sin for women (or men for that matter) to behave in a way that goes against “traditional” gender roles?

Granted I am not Catholic but I have never come across anything from any official or semi-official source (I mean the Catechism, priests, lay apologists, etc) that deems it a sin for a woman to work in a male-dominated field, or to wear pants, or to not wear make-up, or be disorganized, or any of other examples I have read in this topic so far.

What I understand is that it is a sin for a woman to pretend to be a man, or vice versa, or to pretend there is no difference between men and women. No one here has done this as far as I can see.

But it seems that according to you, even a woman like** bitterhope ** who is much more traditional than many posters here, and certainly embraces her vocation as wife and mother, is sinning because – she wears jeans?

That sounds more like a position the Duggars would take, than a Catholic.

 

[Sarcelle]

I am answering between the lines. Being a practicing, lifetime, extremely active homosexual is not a barrier to joining the Catholic Church. Neither is a history of *any other sin. *

That being said, one is called first to examine what God has revealed regarding good and evil, sin and righteousness, and the two created genders as well as their complimentary natures.

In studying the concept of sin, perhaps the most important aspect is the why certain things are considered sinful. Those who join the faith are expected to grant intellectual assent to the teachings of the Church. Further, to struggle against what has been revealed to be sinful.

If this does not apply to you, what you are saying is that you are an individual. Everyone wants to know what “average” is. It is a mathematical construct used in statistics, and which does not apply to anyone on earth. SO, forget about being average. In either case, welcome!

Huh?
How did you jump from the topic the OP had in mind to homosexuality?

People are talking interests that are not stereotypical for their sex. We are not talking about homosexuality.

I like and excel in math and science. That does not mean I am gay.

That means I do not fit the stereotype of how girls are supposed to be bad at math and science.

Just because none of us here fit the stereotype of being girly does not mean we are all gay.

Last time I checked it is sn’t a sin for women to like math and science or like things that aren’t typically liked by the stereotypical woman.