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I am a boy, and I wear makeup.
I know I’m not the only one who does this– there are other boys out there with me.
But it’s something that we don’t talk about very much, because people act like it’s strange or wrong to do so. It feels like society puts pressure on us to conform to outdated gender norms in order for us to fit into what is considered “normal.”
We’re taught that if we do something “girly,” it will make us seem like less of a man. We think wearing makeup is girly, and so people might call us names or say bad things about us for doing so.
It’s not only the teasing from others– there are also media messages telling boys to be tough and act macho all the time. Society tells men they aren’t allowed to show their emotions because this makes them weak, but I don’t believe any of these stereotypes have been even remotely helpful in making me feel more confident with my identity as a boy who wears makeup sometimes.
I am not ashamed by anything I wear on my face: whether that means eyeliner or lip gloss doesn’t matter; I’m secure in what it means to be me.
I want people to understand that makeup is a form of self-expression and shouldn’t be limited only for one gender.
I hope this blog post helps remove the social pressure on boys to wear make up, even though society tells them otherwise. There’s nothing wrong with wearing whatever you want or need– despite what others say about your choices. And if someone makes fun of you for something like that, they’re not worth your time anyway! 🙂
This content was created as part of [a project] by Lorella Praeli at Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program 2017.” The Social Pressure Boys Wear Makeup” Blog Post Page Content This content was created as part of [a project] by Lorella Praeli at Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program 2017.
“The Social Pressure Boys Wear Makeup” Blog Post Page Content This content was created as part of [a project] by Lorella Praeli at Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program 2017. The point is to show how the social pressure for boys to wear makeup can be removed, and remove it with self-expression through different forms of expression such that you’re not limited in your gender or anything else, because society tells them otherwise.” “The Social Pressure Boys Wear Makeup” Blog Post Page Content This content was created as part of [a project] by Lorella Praeli at Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program 2017. The point is to show how the social pressure for boys to wear makeup can be removed, and remove it with self-expression through different forms of expression such that you’re not limited in your gender or anything else, because society tells them otherwise.” “The Social Pressure Boys Wear Makeup” Blog Post Page Content This content was created as part of [a project] by Lorella Praeli at Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program 2017. The point is to show how the social pressure for boys to wear makeup can be removed, and remove it with self-expression through different forms of expression such that you’re not limited in your gender or anything else, because society tells them otherwise.”
“The Social Pressure Boys Wear Makeup” Blog Post Page Content This content was created as part of [a project] by Lorella Praeli at Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program 2017. The point is to show how the social pressure for boys to wear makeup can be removed, and remove it with self-expression through different forms of expression such that you’re not limited in your gender or anything else, because society tells them otherwise.”
continuing writing.. “I want people to stop expecting me to conform,” said 16 year old Taylor from Maryland. “Society expects males like myself who don’t identify as masculine are supposed to act a certain way and dress a certain way. I’m tired of being constrained by societies expectations.”
continuing writing.. “I want people to stop expecting me to conform,” said 16 year old Taylor from Maryland. “Society expects males like myself who don’t identify as masculine are supposed to act a certain way and dress a certain way. I’m tired of being constrained by societies expectations.” The social pressure on boys in the US begins at young age with toxic masculinity, which is defined as “a narrow definition of manhood, designating manliness as based on violence, sex, status and aggression” (Biegel). This behavior is then reinforced through media that portrays men using sexist language or women in sexualized situations without their consent. It’s not just American society putting pressure on male teens – it seems almost any society has some form of toxic masculinity. For example, in Brazil “men are said to have the ‘burden’ and responsibility for providing” (Zamith).
The social pressure on boys is so great that many teen males feel they must conform with what’s expected of them or risk being ostracized by friends and family. They’re told not to wear makeup, or dress femininely, but these boys know this just isn’t who they want to be. The expectation put onto adolescent males can seem insurmountable at times – it seems like there are few people willing to stand up against the pressures imposed upon gender identity by American Society. It’s unacceptable how much anxiety our young male teens go through every day when their peers pressure them to be what they’re not, simply because it’s expected of them.
The social pressure on boys is so great that many teen males feel they must conform with what’s expected of them or risk being ostracized by friends and family. They’re told not to wear makeup, or dress femininely, but these boys know this just isn’t who they want to be. The expectation put onto adolescent males can seem insurmountable at times – it seems like there are few people willing to stand up against the pressures imposed upon gender identity by American Society. It’s unacceptable how much anxiety our young male teens go through every day when their peers pressure them to be what they’re not, simply because it’s expected of them. These boys know this just isn’t who they want to be.
– The social pressure on boys is so great that many teen males feel pressured into conforming with what’s expected of them or risk being ostracized by friends and family. They’re told not to wear makeup, or dress femininely, but these boys know this just isn’t who they want to be. The expectation put onto adolescent males can seem insurmountable at times – it seems like there are few people willing to stand up against the pressures imposed upon gender identity by American Society. It’s unacceptable how much anxiety our young male teens go through every day when their peers pressure them to be what they’re not – simply because it’s expected for them (and apparently girls) to be. – Boys are told that they “should” like sports, not fashion or being pretty – but the truth is that these boys want to do what they’re passionate about and live their lives in a way that makes them happy and content. They don’t want to feel forced into conforming with what’s expected of them; it comes down to wanting choice, freedom & acceptance of who they are as individuals rather than an “ideal.” It seems strange that anyone would think this type of pressure from peers isn’t damaging psychologically for young adolescent males when so many studies have shown how detrimental bullying can be on kids’ mental health. The social pressures put onto teen males by society needlessly harm our youth, because it affects their identity
