Originally Posted by ZombieSquirrel

I apologize for more poorly crafted question. I was not insinuating that being feminine was weak or submissive. An innocent girl like quality could actually be powerful as it can be used for someone to gain power over another. I've seen it before. I was also not meaning to say that masculinity was not the definition of strength.

I apologize for not asking questions...you are right...I indeed should have presented differently. So let me begin again.

I had a difficulty posing the question as I did not want to alienate anyone of a different sex who identified as masculine or feminine. I believe by putting it in those words I am already causing you to think a certain way. Gender roles are pretty vague these days. I try to speak in universal terms whether I agree with them or not.

I noted that you did this and you did make me think this through as I wasnt expecting it. I liked it. I applauded it. But somehow when I got to the words weak submissive needy and read feminine next to them my anchor got yanked out of the waters...

With using a television show as an example, I was trying to create a conversation about what this all means in today's society. I forget that people don't ask questions, but merely roll up there sleeves to attack people's views. ::::shameful blush::::Did you ask why I felt the way I did? I know from my examples you infer that I am heterosexual, no, I did not. I never infer orientation nor gender. You infered I am one dimensional in regard to gender politics. Hardly. I am quite the outlaw...but in this specific post I chose not to include my relationships with women as I felt I was not clearly making my point. Including that information would have clouded my post. Also, I was basing it off of a television show that clearly marked stereotypical gender roles and used a hetreosexual model.

So what confused you by my post? What did I infer? That needing a man makes you submissive? It could be argued that no, it does not make you submissive. Co-dependence is genderless. It was my fault for using an example not seen by everyone. The girl in the show that had the role of innocence and childlike qualities was not submissive at all. Nor would I say she weak. I have never seen the show. I hate to admit it but the only sitcom I watch is The Big Bang Theory

Also, I definitely wouldn't say that the male character exhibited any strength.

In my own personal life I have been challenged by what I want in life and if I have to rely on a certain stereotypical gender role to meet certain goals. Whether I categorize myself as masculine of feminine, and what that actually means. Who am I as a person? What value does this definition of self add? most CIS females who are not your typical barbie dolls are challenged in this culture. I treasure exactly what their characteristics are that makes them such a challenge. I have never been drawn to femme women. I am drawn to the other pole. So to speak..laughing lightly...

Inadvertently my post asked others to ponder what it really is meant to be masculine or feminine. I don't wear corsets. I rarely wear makeup. I like sports. I speak crudely. I don't think that these traits are necessarily masculine. Nor do I think corsets and makeup define femininity. For biological purposes, I am female. I have not been able to define whether I am masculine or feminine by societal standards placed upon me. I also can't do so sexually. I have been with those like you...enchanting...and I am not making light of it. At all. There is a whole body of knowledge out there about gender definition and why there is more than two genders. Its why I loathe the term bisexual. I have been with more than two genders. Trust me on that one...

Sometimes people use the anonymity of an interent forum to try and work through some issues. They may be brought to light by an interpersonal experience or something as trivial as a television show. I have worked thru my own issues...I was hoping I wasnt hearing a replay of ancient issues from the 50s as ring said...

I tend to not post a lot outside of the silly forums to avoid people who get offended and jump to conclusions without asking questions. I always appreciate those who ask, "What did you mean by..." or "Did you consider...."

Originally Posted by Xerxys

Actually, it does. A male with these characteristics would be labelled "feminine."