100 Skills Only A Man Should Know?
My initial reaction to Brett McKay's "100 Skills a Man Should Know" was utter shock, to say the least. Despite growing up in a very conservative household in the south, I was quite surprised that still found myself slightly taken aback by this list. While my family and church raised me to believe that men and women should have different roles, since coming to Siena College, my mind has become much more open to accepting that each person has the ability to pave their own path. I believe that I was initially very shocked because I considered the list as almost a set of rules that a man should follow in order to be considered a true man. I also found myself wondering whether or not I was less feminine by knowing how to do some of the items McKay had on his list.
One of the skills that stood out to me was McKay's Number 16: Do a Deadlift Properly. I chose to focus this skill as many of my female friends and I have been lifting/strength building for a number of years. Below is a picture of me in deadlift stance (despite not having access to a barbell at the moment) :
When I initially told my parents that I wanted to learn how to properly lift weights a few years ago, my mother was quite against it. She asked and told me, "Why would you want to have arms and legs like a man? That's what lifting will make you have. But if you do want to lift, at least make sure you don't lift too much!" Because I have heard the arguments females against weightlifting, I understand why Brett McKay would put this skill on his list. According to many, weightlifting should only be done by men or by those who want a more "masculine figure." I find that many people believe this to be true, as the weight section of the gym is always quite male-dominated. I, however, truly believe that weightlifting and other activities or skills should not be confined to their stereotypes of masculinity or femininity.
As I continued to read the list of 100 Skills a Man Should Know, I kept thinking to myself whether a woman would be considered less feminine if she had some of the skills on McKay's list. I mean the website itself is called the "Art of Manliness," right? So, shouldn't that mean that knowledge of those skills is considered manly? Personally, I believe the contrary. I believe that a male or female does not have to confined to their stereotypes and that each person can choose who they would like to become. Before reading the list, I had been very proud of knowing how to do some of the skills on this list and so I refuse to let McKay's list make me feel inadequate. I truly believe that having the skills that I have allows me to be unique and each person has the ability to pursue whatever they would like to pursue.
Out of the skills on Brett McKay's list, I believe there are many skills that I believe that every HUMAN should know. For example, I would find it incredibly helpful if everyone knew how to parallel park, to fix a flat tire, to properly shake another person's hand, etc. However, I am now a firm believer in the idea that each person is able to choose what they would like to do themselves. I strongly urge all the readers to acknowledge this thought and to pursue their own goals, whether society may perceive some skills as masculine or feminine.
Hi Natalie! It's really cool to me the way though you grew up in a more conservative household, your thoughts have grown with you during your time at Siena! I was quite shocked by the article as well and what felt to be a lot of sexism. I think you brought up some really interesting points in your post. One of which being the question of femininity. I did not even think about how having some of the skills on the list would deem a women to be less feminine. That was not something I even thought of. Yet after seeing your thoughts on this, I would agree. The article makes it seem like if a man does not have those 100 skills, then he is not a man. So in a way it seems the article is also saying if a woman can do these then perhaps that makes her more masculine. I agree with your conclusion as well. I think that though these skills were listed on what men should know, I believe a lot of them to be necessary for all. I also believe that no matter what society says, people should pursue what they want to do, regardless of the gender that has in the past been assigned to those skills/goals.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think it is really cool that you weight lift! I agree that I often see women being put down and their femininity questioned for participating in this activity. It's bogus as being strong is not just for men. Activities such as lifting/strength building should be for anyone who is interested in it, regardless of gender.
-Bri
Hey Natalie,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this blog post it was so much fun to read. I could not agree more with you that this article made me cringe at first because of all of the sexism and the underlying tension of men should learn one thing while women should learn another. I think that men and women are capable of learning the same things which is what bothers me about the title of the article. It should not just me limited to men. Women have every right to go and learn these skills as well. I love how you lift and do something that for so long was deemed as a mans way to exercise. I run cross country and track and we lift as well. I feel so powerful and I think there is a lot to be said about it. Again thank you for sharing.
Hello Natalie,
ReplyDeleteI found the article shocking as well due to all of the sexism and the underlying message that women and men should learn different skills. I think all women and men should learn the same skills and pursue what ever one wants to pursue. The blog is written for a male audience, so it definitely has a tone that only focuses on what men should be doing. However, I do agree that it sounded as if only men should be doing these skills. I find it really cool that are interested in lifting! The area of gyms for weights are always mainly crowded with men. A few years ago, my sister actually started to compete in body building competitions, which was very interesting to watch. Men and women compete in separate categories , but the competition was surprisingly not about how big one's muscles were. It was judged based on how big the muscles were and how it fits the ideal images of men or women. For women, there was definitely an underlying tension that the competition was not just judged on muscles. Since the categories for women were judged slightly differently, it showed how society's view on women not having muscles is even seen within the body building community.
- Audrey
Hey Natalie,
ReplyDeleteIt's really cool that you deadlift! I've been trying to get into that. By the way, I tried your route for running on campus and enjoyed it.:)
I like what you said about the fact that many skills on the list should be skills that every human should know. A lot of the skills listed were practical skills that I think a large array of folks would benefit from. I resonate with what you said about breaking masculine and feminine stereotypes. Engaging in " masculine activities" does not make us any less feminine. I think if we all choose to do what we want to do, regardless of what society thinks of it, we will be able to break these gender norms for the future generation.
- Analy :)
Here's something I've been wondering about: isn't part of what makes it cool to see women in lifting competitions, riding motorcycles, and being in positions of power the very fact that they are transgressing (or at least bending) gender norms? Without the gender norms, would it be as cool? Even if it wasn't as "cool" would the world be better off overall?
ReplyDelete