One outcome of the women's rights movement was the newfound freedom for women to dress as they pleased. Frilly, feminine clothing was no longer expected; women now had the opportunity to dress in skirts or pants without comment or reproach. Women embraced this newfound freedom to wear pants and T-shirts formerly only worn by men. As it currently stands, women are able to dress completely as they please, whether it be in free-flowing skirts or baggy jeans. Men, however, do not exercise this freedom. While no gender constraints on women's clothing currently exist, men face social barriers that prohibit them from dressing in a manner that expresses their individuality (or feminine side).Many people may wonder, "Why would men even want to wear seemingly impractical female attire?" "Does it make sense to stick both legs through one opening (i.e. skirt)?" Despite obvious disadvantages such as restricted movement, skirts and dresses offer a few distinct advantages over mundane pants and slacks. First, they keep one cooler on a warm day by allowing air to flow freely. Second, they offer variety -- skirts and dresses come in all lengths, colors, patterns and styles. Third, style variety enables the wearer to accentuate the better parts of his or her figure and to hide the less attractive portions. Fourth, skirts are made of a variety of materials of differing warmths so that one can be modest yet remain cool, or be sexy yet cozy. Finally, on a more risque note, skirts offer "easy access."

Why then does our society frown upon men who actually express their individuality and wear skirts? These so-called "cross-dressers" are actually more liberated than those wearing "gender-appropriate" clothing. A more secure, self-confident attitude is present in these individuals, enabling them to defy social convention in favor of personal preference. These men have begun a new gender equality revolution, one that is ages behind the women's rights movement. Why, though, have men been so slow to exert their independence of dress? Why did they not feel free to wear women's clothing at a time when women began to shop in the men's department? The answer is likely found in the way society views the two sexes.

Madonna effectively criticized social standards in her hit single "What it Feels Like for a Girl." In the words of this pop goddess, "Girls can wear jeans and cut their hair short, wear shorts and boots,'cause it's okay to be a boy but for a boy to look like a girl is degrading 'cause you think that being a girl is degrading, but secretly you'd love to know what it's like wouldn't you?" Sadly, there is much truth to these words -- men who express emotion, look "pretty," or act sensual are harshly criticized by other men. These traits are generally regarded as feminine and hence are looked down upon by men because they feel the need to separate themselves behaviorally from the "softer sex."

Masculinity is a status symbol; men compare penis size and flex their muscles at the gym to attain this inner "macho" feeling. Expressions of femininity are associated with a loss of status amongst the wolf pack because femininity itself is associated with weakness. This stigma reflects the old-fashioned social conception that women are weaker and less capable than men.

Though most men now regard the two sexes as intellectual equals, they continue to rank themselves by this same, old-fashioned precedent of masculinity. Fear of social reproach prevents men from becoming truly free to act or dress as they please. Women, not strictly bound to gender roles, therefore possess more freedom than their "masculine" counterparts. Sexual equality will never be reached until men can abandon masculine customs sprung from sexist roots and allow themselves to embrace the more feminine aspects of their personality.
Women's dress patterns and mannerisms have changed drastically over the past few decades to reflect newly attained equality and flexibility. It is about time for men to exert their right of dress to finally bring the two sexes to a level playing field.

-- Lynne Gauthier '04 submits a column to the Justice