Perspective: As a Man

As a man, the imagined day would involve really satisfying meals, a stronger presence, and less apologies. The morning of, an amazing breakfast with no care on how it affects bloating. Right out of bed, I wouldn’t tiptoe around the room with fuzzy socks. I’d walk tall, with heavy and bare feet, no care for the obnoxious sound it permeates on the ground, announcing my presence with just one step. The morning would be cut in half at least with no need for makeup, hair care, skin care, so on. Maybe my clothes would still be pressed though. On my way to work, if I see a friend or a neighbor, I don’t feel the pressure to smile with a cheerful voice when greeting. I can use my usual tone instead, with less care if they don’t say hi back or ask how I’m doing. After work, I’m expected to workout, or play a game with my friends, so I’m there on the dot, ready to announce my wins and glory. I can freely yell out how strong I am, how keen I am, how prolific I am and it’s accepted. I stand tall. I walk loud. I laugh loud. I speak loud. My perception of the world is that I am accepted. My narrative is that my kind of male prominence is appreciated. I am free to announce my presumed superiority at times… in the right setting. I am free to get dressed in the dark and walk in the day light with little effort and more approaches than my opposite counterpart who puts more effort into her appearance and character, but may be looked past time and time again. The social roles in association with our gender roles put contradictions in our stories. How with less effort comes more reward, and more effort comes just a nice compliment. How occupational roles are an attribution of these typical stories and not by the groundbreaking individuals who have attested these dichotomies.