Beyond Gender Stereotypes
A Novel Twist
In an article published in a recent writers association newsletter gender stereotypes were described as follows: “Females talk to make emotional connections and develop relationships,” but “Males talk to exchange information and show their emotional superiority.”
I’m sorry, but I think I would be bored silly in a roomful of men trying to compete and an equal number of women trying to connect. Think of your readers – do they want to read about those boring people they meet and work with everyday? I think we need to at least consider adding a novel twist to our novels and get beyond stereotypes.
Why not a hero who both shaves and sobs, a woman with both periods and pride? Why not have a man who is giddy and a woman who is goal-driven? Can’t a man find intimacy fully clothed and a woman want to do the deed for the sheer fun of it?
Okay, I’m not a lifetime author – only started writing after 35 years as a psychologist with a speciality in interpersonal relationships, so what would I know about human emotions and behavior? Still, I need to speak out against stereotypes and ask us all to look for and appreciate the exceptions. Life, novels and cookies would be boring if they were all cut with the same cookie cutter. Use but don’t abuse the stereotypes, for they do not describe the wonderfully wide variety of male and female personalities.
© Robert W. Birch, Ph.D.
WHAT DO YOU THINK, AM I WRONG? DO READERS EXPECT AND ENJOY READING OF MEN AND WOMEN FITTING THE GENDER STEREOTYPE ABOVE?
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I am a reader, not a writer. I like reading of men who are emotional, but not governed by their emotions. I want my men to be both strong and sensitive.
62 year old woman.
Books by Robert W. Birch - Novels, Short Stories & Poetry
Sci Fi Erotic Romance Four Book Series
Erotic Romance in Later Life: Gray Pleasures
A Collection of Erotic Short Stories