Couple other threads going on right now that touch on male stereotypes and it made me think of it in a "big picture" kind of way.

The dictionary definition of stereotype is: a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

Oversimplified is the word I was looking for, because stereotypes really do oversimplify things by making broad generalizations. For instance, the "all males like sports" (or that if you don't like sports you're obviously a girly man). This isn't true of course, but it's such a long term, widely held and oversimplified belief that a lot of people still think it's true. And I think a lot of males force themselves into the stereotypes just to fit in.

The dictionary definition of belief is: something one accepts as true or real; a firmly held opinion or conviction.

This is what we are all struggling against - from simple stuff such as "looking" male, to things like social interaction as a male. We may have a belief in our own minds but we are affected by the belief and opinions of others.

So often times I think people's beliefs are formed FROM stereotypes. The belief that all males like sports is perpetuated by the stereotype. It's a vicious circle.

So how does one break the cycle? By breaking the stereotypes. Bold move? It can be. In certain circles of males I think it would take some real guts to fess up to a My Little Pony collection but the only way we as individuals can effect any small ripple in wider held beliefs and stereotypes is to take that step.

If you need to work on things like self esteem or confidence it might make this seem near impossible to accomplish. But if you can gain a little confidence it will make it that much more effective. When I finally overcame some of the confidence stuff I felt more confident in all areas of my life. I wasn't afraid to let other guys know I knew how to work a sewing machine (granted I'm not that great at it but I can hem stuff and make simple things). When I first let that fact out of the bag it was with a group of guys at a job I was working on (short term production stuff). There were definitely some, "that's gay" comments. Which was to be expected because sewing is stereotypically "women's work", right? At first I thought, oh man, now they all think I'm gay but I got over it pretty quickly and they all accepted me either way. And then I realized that all those guys might not think it was so gay if another guy happened to sew - or do something else that was stereotypically female. Maybe I did have an effect on their previous beliefs? At least I can hope that through experiences like this that ripple effect can actually happen.

Anyway, just some thoughts.

By most people's standards, I'm a complete freak.  I break the stereotypes for everything and I can't help it.  I briefly tried to appear more normal in order to get a job and fit into a small town, but it didn't work.  When I try to seem normal, I come across as even weirder.  So I don't think about it much.  It doesn't matter that I don't fit the male stereotype because I don't fit the female stereotype either.  It actually amuses me when people assume I fit some stereotype because it's fun to watch their reaction when they're proven wrong.

In the 18 century, male French nobles wore high heels. It was seen as a sign of masculinity and they evolved that way because of the need for horse control through the heel. Thinking about it, ALL 18 century nobleman French wear would be considered very flaming today. And they wore long, curly wigs.

In Ainu culture, which was traditionally very matriarchal (and later conquered by standard Japanese patriarchy), women had most of the political power and tattooed fake moustaches over their lips (the Ainu can be very hairy; this can still be seen in some previous Ainu occupation zones in the north of Japan).

Again, in the Wodabe tribe of West Africa, men partecipate every year at a sort of "charm performance": it's basically a Wodabe "Miss America" but with men, they dance, dress and look very androgynously (just try googling them...), and the winner, that is, the most beautiful and graceful male, will be chosen by females as the best partner. Did I mention they wear black lipstick?

So yeah, stereotypes are hugely dependent on your culture.

EDIT: Now with pictures!

Most certainly different cultures are well, different! And throughout history there have been what we now would consider gender-bending acceptable dress, actions, etc.

Mostly North America has the same stereotypes.

I've gotten way more comfortable with the stereotypically-feminine aspects of my personality/likes/dislikes since I accepted myself as male. Of course, I am gay, so I'm not really helping anything by being effeminate. (shrug)

On a somewhat unrelated note, when I accepted my femaleness I actually became more masculine. I'm still trying to understand why 

Before coming out and for a while after I came out I kept my girly interests very much to myself. The more comfortable I got with myself the more I realised it didn't matter what others think about me, if it makes you happy then who gives a flying giraffe.

I'm seem "girlier" now than I ever was which some find a bit confusing but whatever.