Did you know heels were first made for men? They were invented for king Louis XIV who was considered short for his time, to give him a couple inches. They spread over the globe, and before long became a women’s clothing item seen on shelves such as Zara and even luxury stores.
The color pink now known as a woman’s color, was actually used for baby boys. Pink was considered a lighter shade of red. Red was seen as the color of aggression, and strength, so naturally the more subdued color of it was assigned to boys.
Blue was considered soft. Delicate and dainty, opposite of what it is considered today. It is also linked to the Virgin Mary, a conservative and traditional view on what womanhood was.
It wasn’t until post war marketing, did the coin shift.
Now it is highly discouraged for men to wear pink. When it was once the norm for boys.
Let’s take a flight, hmm, maybe to France in the 1800s. There was an ordinance law banning women from dressing like men, including wearing casual trousers without police authorization.
In the U. s as well, U.S cities all across the countries enacted something called “masquerade.” Laws, making it illegal for men and women alike to dress “not according to their sex.”
Now let’s talk about women in power, those paving the way for young girls and women alike to take their place on the podium. Female senators were not allowed to wear pants on the chamber floor until these three senators broke the rule and made history.
Barbara Mikulski, Carol Mosley Braun, and Party Murray.
In historic times, it was often taboo if not illegal for women to wear pants.
Pretty different to how it it now, huh?
When we walk through the street, whether it is in Paris, the states, or even China, it is more common than not to see women wearing pants, as it is the more convenient option.
Now it is time to talk about more historical icons.
We can’t mention the words historical icons, without talking about Princess Diana. She was born as the daughter of an Earl. However when she married the prince, she was legally considered a commoner under the British class system. Her life was certainly unconventional, and so were her actions in royal life.
During the aids crisis, even nurses were afraid to touch aids patients, afraid to “catch” the disease. Princess Diana broke conventions and was seen shaking hands with an aids patient in the hospital, an action than shocked readers around the globe.
When asked about it, she famously said.
“HIV does not make people dangerous to know. You can shake their hands and give them, a hug. Heaven knows they need it.”
Her unconventional kindness made her famous around the globe, and she is still loved and revered to this day.
We need to have another important conversation.
Why is it that now in the twenty first century, women can wear traditionally masculine clothing, whereas men who would like to wear traditionally feminine clothes have more trouble socially?
While society moved forward, women took on more roles traditionally seen as masculine, such as going to the work force.
Society sees being masculine in women as moving forward, contrarily, it still sees being feminine as a negative thing.
Have you ever heard the phrase “real men don’t cry.”
This phrase, like many things is rooted in history.
Then women weren’t allowed in the workforce, and it was taboo for women to leave the house without a male guardian.
Men were seen and superior, stronger, and less emotional, therefore getting the brunt of societal rewards, such as a paycheck, and with it the freedom to do as he pleases.
The phrase “real men don’t cry.” Doesn’t just mean men shouldn’t cry, it also means “ all women know how to do is cry.”
Because femininity was not equated to strength, the inferior act of crying was something they were allowed and expected to do.
Whereas societal norms like this ebb and flow throughout the centuries and the people that inhabited the land. The tchambuli studied thoughtfully by anthropologist Margaret Mead showcased a modernly unconventional society where women possessed traits seen today as commonly masculine. The women of the tribe were dominating, aggressive, and managed hunting and fishing, whereas the men exhibited more emotionally gentle traits and primarily focused on tribal art and personal appearance.
However, a more deeply woven context shows that the tchambuli was not a solely matriarchal society. Men still held distinct ceremonial responsibilities, and there was a basic equilibrium between the two genders.
The word “normal” is a moving vehicle, you never know what road it’s going to take. What is considered conventional today, might not be in a few hundred years.
If you ever feel different, you might just be ahead of your time.
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