The process of writing my first essay for this class sparked a lot of questions for me. I decided to focus my paper on how heteronormativity negatively affects males, specifically how it restricts men from taking interest in and being concerned with certain things without their sexuality and manhood coming under fire. As I was thinking about all the things guys are not supposed to talk about (their feelings, their appearance, love and plenty of other things) I tried to come up with a similar list for women, but I couldn't come up with much. There are things that are definitely considered manly.. like sports and video games maybe.. but nothing actually important. Sometimes for a female to have these interests is even considered attractive to men. Although we are oppressed in many other ways, at least we are allowed to express our emotions and not feel the need to defend our womanhood at all times. Last quarter I watched a video called "Tough Guise" which suggested that a lot of violence is caused by this pressure on males to be dominant and strong and manly. So not only are the men harmed mentally and emotionally by these restrictions, it can go even further and be detrimental to others physically.

While I definitely don't think all guys are completely consumed by this need to be manly, and I certainly know plenty who really don't seem to be too concerned about it all, I think as a woman it is important to realize the affects that society has on both genders. It is easy to play the victim and blame men for all of our problems but it is naive to believe that they don't suffer consequences themselves.