Emily Schlichting--Gender Wars

Gender war is something that has been a factor in my thought process for as long as I can remember knowing there is a difference between boys and girls. Oddly, I think the word "war" is the perfect conceptualization of the way we are taught to perceive gender. When I was younger, I was constantly trying to be "as good as the boys," which looking maybe felt less like a war and more like a competition. But competition is just war without the extreme violence.

All throughout my young adult life, in debate, in class, and in conversation, I was constantly trying to "hold my own" with the boys. While I realize now that it wasn't actually a competition of who was more masculine, sometimes it really felt that way. Except for me, I was often penalized by both my female peers and the boys I was trying to measure up to.

I think the gender wars stem from a basic human tendency to focus more on the minute differences rather than the mass number of similarities that we all share. The gender wars simply play on that tendency and expands in into a cultural norm.

1. How would our romantic interactions/flirtations change without the combative dynamic that gender wars bring to male/female relationships?

2. How does socioeconomic status and other intersectional identities affect the way that we perceive gender roles?

3. What is the quality about you that most defies your traditional gender role?