10 upvotes, 1 direct replies (showing 1)
View submission: Do non-binary identities reenforce gender stereotypes?
That seems like a very regressive way of addressing the issue. How could identifying as a man or woman possibly prevent you from self actualization? It sounds like that reasoning just reinforcing gender stereotypes, exactly like OP is claiming.
For example: “I will never feel 100% content with myself as a man because I don’t want to do ABC thing or feel XYZ thing that I believe an ideal man would.” There is no ideal man or woman. If we want to break down gender stereotypes and promote true equality between the sexes, it seems like identifying as non-binary is a bit reductive.
Comment by bigboymanny at 12/01/2025 at 17:22 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
How wouldn't it. It's not an identity I value. It would prevent me from self-actualization the same way that pursuing any other identity I don't value would. It would be like forcing myself to become a Christian when I'm not one.
Personally I'm fine with eliminating the concept of gender entirely, which is what would happen by breaking down all gender roles. However, we live in a world where people value the distinction between man and woman. Those concepts mean things to people. By integrating one of those archetypes into the self, you are also integrating all of the associations you have with it into the self as well. Much like any other identity or archetype. Those associations then form the ideal man or woman. I'm not saying there's one absolute ideal man or woman that must be pursued by everyone, just that individuals have their own unique ideas of what a man and woman should be because we were all raised in a very gendered society. By accepting the identity of man or woman, I would then basically have to want to be a good one because that's how identities work. I want to be a good cook, a good sibling, a good son, a good writer, because those are identities I value.