Professor Lisa Munoz
English 101
December 7 2011
A Defining of True Men and Real Women Camille Paglia once asked aloud “Heaven help the American-born boy with a talent for ballet.” It is not right to ridicule or target a child for liking something that goes against masculinity or femininity just because they belong to a certain gender. What actually defines a gender? Simple biology has taught us to differentiate men and women by females being able to bare offspring and our common sense merely perceives the physical anatomy. Believing that the world consists of only two genders has been a cultural invention that which does not accommodate the vast amount of experiences humans are capable of living. Even methods of parenting can play a major role towards forming their children’s sexual identity. However, although people are born either male or female, they are made and shaped into men and women. True women and real men are only the image that children have been brought up to become as they grow. Little boys aren’t always hardwired to like only dinosaurs and trains. This is just the same as how girls don’t necessarily choose to play with dolls. Even colors such as blue and pink are made to be associated for specific genders at an early age. The concept is just a grouping of stereotypical male and female characteristics that don’t necessarily always apply to individuals in either gender. Examples include such statements as that men must not show emotion and that men believe the most important thing is sex. Masculinity is also thought to be displayed by a man who is able to provide for his family by holding a job and excelling at a profession. However, a hate of having to commit and to always act tough in all situations isn‘t in all male genes. Sometimes men in many cases actually greatly value a woman’s loyalty. A female can be independent and successful without a husband or any other men in her life. They take up jobs and strive