5 - What is Androgyny?

Earlier we learned that our gender identity is the foundation of our perspective on life. We also learned that sex roles are sorted into two groups—one for men and one for women. Is it possible to have a less rigid attitude toward our sex roles?

The term androgyny is a combination of andro-male and gyne-female. It removes the stereotypes we have for each sex and allows people the opportunity to combine the best traits of both men and women. Traditional concepts of masculinity and femininity put limitations on behaviour and how people can express themselves.

In our society, an adult must be independent, assertive, and self-reliant. However, traditional femininity frowns on women behaving in such ways. In addition, an adult must be sensitive, caring, and attuned to emotional needs. Traditional masculinity keeps men from expressing these personal needs. Androgyny combines the best of both abilities. It allows adults to be independent yet sensitive; they can be assertive yet open to the wishes of others. In other words, adults can be both masculine and feminine. Androgyny facilitates a superior standard of psychological health for the sexes. It unburdens people from sets of narrow views and narrow behaviours. Androgyny expands the horizons of both men and women. It permits people to cope effectively with a wide range of situations.

How does androgyny translate into actual role behaviours or activities? For example, androgyny means a man can arrange a business deal on his own, vacuum the family room, cuddle his children and read them bedtime stories, and do the family laundry. For example, androgyny means a woman can change the oil in her car, bake a casserole for someone who has been ill, and mow the lawn. Because many of the activities of men and women now overlap because of androgyny, both sexes should have a better understanding and appreciation of each other.

mr. mom