You searched for gender identity - Page 21 of 98 - Everyday Feminism

Is Kim Kardashian a vocal trendsetter? You might associate her and other young women with certain speaking styles, like vocal fry or uptalk – the “valley girl” accent. And you may not be surprised that studies show negative opinions of women who talk this way. But do you know about the underlying functions of this communication style? It’s deeper than you might think.

Enough is enough. Here are six things so many women are tired of, but have to face daily through media, culture, and regular interactions. Irritated with being dismissed as nothing more than a sexual object, a pretty face, or a hysterical ball of emotions? We shouldn’t have to deal with this everyday misogyny, so check out this video and spread the word.

Do you ever talk about what it means to be a “man”? Not a lot of us do. The patriarchy sets the harmful expectation that men aren’t supposed to talk about their feelings or display any kind of emotion. Here’s a chance for men to talk about masculinity and remember, as one man in this video puts it, that “there’s no right way to be a guy.” So what makes you a man?

For those who don’t adhere 100% to the intensely restrictive gender roles prescribed by society: this is the poem for you. Watch as hip hop artist and poet Alex Dang describes the many times he’s been misgendered by the people around him — including family, friends, and strangers — just because he existed in a way that didn’t make sense to them.

I want to see a masculinity where love, power with, and compassion replace dominance, power over, and violence — a masculinity where some of those good messages I learned from the men in my life endure while leaving behind the destructive things that hurt me and so many other male-identified people. In short, we need a new way to understand ourselves as men.

I was homeschooled. My early years certainly didn’t fit the mold of the typical American childhood. This is an investigative journey into discovering how this affected some of my relationships – and in particular, my relationships with men – and what this says about growing up in America, even without an average introduction to society through public school.

Superhero films are known for their male-centric nature. Women are left sorting through the female characters that we are offered, and boy, is it grim. The common question that comes up when chatting with people about the role of gender in superhero films is: “Well, he is sexy too, isn’t he? It’s unfair to both sexes.” And the answer is yes, it is. But there’s more.

Have you ever been defined through a calm waters lens? You know the type, right? That “Why does she always have to make shit so uncomfortable for everybody by speaking out?” type. Surely, there are moments when the best thing to do is to shut up and wait for safety. But don’t default to that logic, because your safety and your enslavement aren’t always the only two choices you have.

Growing up, it didn’t take much for me to realize that power lay in the masculine. There was power in being one of the boys. And I wanted in. It’s no wonder why some women trade in their womanhood for a piece of the golden ticket to ride along the manhood train of success. And in doing so, these women cut themselves off from the rest of womankind. They become the exception – the loophole women.

The male gaze is a lens of entitlement. And challenging it is an integral part of feminism. Here are four ways to start.

Unlike in the past, men are increasingly dealing with eating disorders and 40% of of people who binge eat are men. However many men do not seek treatment for fear of appearing weak, strange, or like less of a “man” and many health professionals fail to screen men for eating disorders as closely as needed. But a man who binge eats needs treatment and support just as a woman does.

“We are doing what white supremacy wants us to do.” Do you know how playing into the “model minority” myth hurts black folks – and your own community?

Ever had a partner who just didn’t “get it” when the topic of race comes up? Here are some common scenarios you might come across – and how to deal.

A drawing of hands on a laptop keyboard

Fandom has a reputation as a progressive utopia – but it still falls short in some pretty messed up ways. Do these ideas for improvement speak to the kind of fandom you’d like to be part of?

Two people smiling and standing near each other in a club, one holding a drink and the other with their arm raised behind their head.

Even among allies with good intentions, there are some oppressive habits that come up in LGBTQIA+ spaces. Here’s how you can have fun and support friends in queer spaces in a respectful way.

Just how many ways are there to be LGBTQIA+? You can be queer, femme, a unicorn, or a bottom, to name a few. We talk a lot about labels and identity, but what does identity really mean for defining gender and sexuality? The subjects of these beautiful photos, from Sarah Deragon’s The Identity Project, might blow you away as they embody their answers.

A person sits, half-smiling and looking up, behind an out of focus laptop screen.

Is it possible to make more room for mistakes in activism without letting people off the hook for causing harm? Here are some strategies you can try to support growth in our movements.

Two people standing close together appear to be engaged in a discussion – one with their hand raised, lecturing the other whose arms are folded with one hand touching their cheek.

How do you deal with oppressive behavior in your activist communities? Sometimes when we call each other out, we’re acting from fear – not for accountability. Here’s what to look out for, and what to try instead.

“Do I come to your job and tell you how to do it?” Actually, yes. Here’s how able bodied people cross disabled people’s boundaries in really hurtful ways.

Are women really too complicated? It’s a common idea, but consider what you’re really saying, and you’ll realize the truth about “complication” and gender.