Is One Rodman Enough
Is One Rodman EnoughIs One Rodman Enough?
In today�s world everybody has his or her own view
of what makes a male masculine and a female feminine. If a
male were to possess some traits that would be known as
feminine, he would be seen as a homosexual. Likewise, if a
female were to possess some traits that would be known as
masculine, she would be looked upon as being �butch�.
Present day television shows and films mold most peoples�
views on gender identity. A person�s job helps to define
their gender identity in other peoples� eyes. Television
and films portray certain professions to be very feminine.
For example, have you ever seen a macho, male hair stylist
in a movie or on television? A person�s choice of clothing
also molds their gender identity in other peoples� eyes.
If a man were to wear tight, pink spandex all the time he
would be looked upon as being a homosexual because spandex
was made for females to wear. However, knowing all of
this, there are some people who are considered exceptions
to these concepts. Dennis Rodman is one of these
exceptions. Rodman is a professional basketball player who
is known for his aggressive style of play on the court.
This aggressive style gives him a very masculine image.
Nonetheless, he portrays himself as having many feminine
characteristics when he is not playing basketball. Knowing
this, are people like Dennis Rodman redefining the gender
identities?
Persons who display success and high status in
their social group, who exhibit �a manly air of toughness,
confidence, and self-reliance� and �the aura of aggression,
violence, and daring,� and who conscientiously avoid
anything associated with femininity are seen as exuding
masculinity (Pleck 139). If nothing of Rodman�s lifestyle
were known, other than his professional basketball career,
according to Pleck, he would be �seen as exuding
masculinity�. However, more of his lifestyle is known and
seen by a lot of people. Three years ago Rodman wrote an
autobiography of his life. After the release of his book,
he held book-signing sessions. At most of these sessions
Rodman wore a white wedding gown with his face was covered
in makeup. The appearances in that outfit helped to lessen
the shock of some of the things that he wrote in his book.
Rodman, who up to this point was considered a man who was
too aggressive at times, states in his book that has had
many fantasies of having a sexual relationship with another
male. He also writes that he is bisexual. Rodman�s
forthcomings in his book shocked the entire world. This
man who seemed to epitomize masculinity had come forward
and told everyone that he had many tendencies that would...
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