posted August 02, 2014 04:07 AM            

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Originally posted by HappyLoewe:
I've noted that men are becoming more and more feminine. For e.g. becoming more hairless all over (shaving & waxing), using beauty products, having regular beauty treatments, wearing softer/pastel shades and are "softening" overall, whether in manner, speech, approach, aggression, dress, style, facial features and gestures. Do you agree/disagree that the male sex is morphing into something more feminine? Are we heading towards being one skin colour and sex? Or is this just transits that allow men to feel more confident in doing the above? This question is asked to satisfy a recent curiosity of mine. Thanks HL

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I think it's more of a trend, it's called androgynes, and I think personally it is just because people feel more free and has so many choices today, and this is just the trend of the time…

posted August 02, 2014 05:33 AM            

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Originally posted by bansheequeen:
Masculinity and femininity are just social constructs that are constantly morphing with the times.

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^ YES!

posted August 02, 2014 05:55 AM            

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Originally posted by Gemini Blues:
I would love to rant... er... discuss this topic, but I'm afraid my response would have less to do with astrology and belong in the conspiracy theory section.

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As long as it's not that Alex Jones nonsense of the government putting estrogen in the food. Even if it were true it wouldn't affect behavior and sexual orientation that way (and that ridiculous theory also ignores lesbians in addition to confusing gender traits with sexual orientation).

Otherwise, I'd be curious.

My own belief is that the fashion industry, having conquered the female market with their snake oils and psy ops (which advertising technically is, heck one company actually calls itself psyop), is now trying desperately to pick up more of a male market to further increase their profits (just as tobacco once did women) and would've been much more successful were it not for the economy (and the fact men have plenty of other expensive hobbies without getting into that as well, plenty are happier gaming anyway, and plenty of women don't like it, an oversight on the marketing/advertising departments who could get many to change their mind on that). Frankly, when done right advertisement can make turkeys want Thanksgiving. And that's skirting the edge of conspiracy theory.

Though that said, "fops" and "dandies" have been around before many times in history. They were often seen as desirable because it bespoke wealth and privilege (which was also more concentrated into fewer people than today). Even then the rural typically made fun of them (assuming they weren't oppressed peasants as they sometimes were). But these days they have all the fancy cars so that's no longer necessary.

posted August 02, 2014 11:15 PM            

That being said, there is variation within the individual sexes. Some guys do have slightly more ‘feminized’ brain structure, while some women to have a slightly more ’masculine’ brain structure. It has to do with how the baby in the baby in the womb is exposed to various hormone levels during it’s development.

We all know the stereotype that estrogen make women sweet and nurturing, and that testosterone makes men aggressive hunter types. It’s actually a lot more complicated then this. Different individuals have different hormone levels within their own sex, and both sexes have both hormones but at different average levels. Then there is the brain differences to be considered.

I read a book about gender and the brain a few years ago. If the brain is exposed to more male hormones during the development of the visual/spatial part the brain then the person will develop skills typically associated with being male… Like being better at understanding how mechanical things are built, how to use them, how to take them apart, and an inclination to study how they work. A lot of the sports that require these skills are primarily male oriented… Like rugby and football. As well as certain kinds of high-level mathematics that men are, on average, able to perform better on. However, due to variation within these hormone levels in the womb amongst individuals there’ll be the occasional women who is oriented toward these things as well. The majority will be male though.

If the brain is exposed to female hormones during the development of the language part of the brain the person will develop skills typically associated with being female. The will be communicative with a diverse multifaceted understanding of language, and a lot of the feeling/artsy type stuff that goes with this understanding. Women tend to be more interested in introspective things like psychology and relationship dynamics, as opposed to men’s more physical and practical outlook. Occasionally, you’ll get a guy who has a slightly ‘feminized’ brain who has a great interest in such things.

The above is a bit of an over-simplification as the process is a lot more complicated then I stated. The hormone levels will fluctuate throughout the development of the baby the womb giving many different kinds of people with different skills and tendencies. There are many different kinds of ways that ‘male’ and ‘female’ brains differ. It also must be stressed that the majority of women will have mostly feminized brains, while the majority of men will have mostly masculinized brains. Mostly.

For instance most guys have compartmentalized brain, where the different areas of the brain have minimal connections. This makes guys have more of a one-track mind. They focus intensely on one thing at a time. Women have a lot of interconnection between the different parts of their brain and are able to multitask very well. It’s also an explanation of why they are more emotional. They can jump from the information part of their brain to the emotional part really fast. Whereas a guy is more likely to deal with the difficult situation at hand and then have the meltdown afterwards.

Culture has an influence on social customs and fashion but the reality of masculine and feminine is still the same. It’s a really interesting topic. In the 80’s and late 70’s it used to be popular to deny that gender differences were natural and biological, and to think of them as merely social constructs. The trend was to say that men and women are psychologically the same and that each can do what the other does just as well. To say they were different was considered offensive, as the unspoken hint was they we should go back to the 50’s or something. The reality is that in general men and women are naturally different as confirmed by recent research. Each gender has different skills and abilities that come more naturally. Embracing the differences between us does not mean belittling each other. It helps relationships to be so much better if we can understand our partner. If you’re not aware of this type of research yet I recommend Googling it.

posted August 03, 2014 12:16 AM            

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Originally posted by Lotis White:
It's actually been shown scientifically the Men and Women's brain and hormone differences create differences in their psychology and behavior. This is not merely a social/cultural thing at all.

That being said, there is variation within the individual sexes. Some guys do have slightly more ‘feminized’ brain structure, while some women to have a slightly more ’masculine’ brain structure. It has to do with how the baby in the baby in the womb is exposed to various hormone levels during it’s development.

We all know the stereotype that estrogen make women sweet and nurturing, and that testosterone makes men aggressive hunter types. It’s actually a lot more complicated then this. Different individuals have different hormone levels within their own sex, and both sexes have both hormones but at different average levels. Then there is the brain differences to be considered.

I read a book about gender and the brain a few years ago. If the brain is exposed to more male hormones during the development of the visual/spatial part the brain then the person will develop skills typically associated with being male… Like being better at understanding how mechanical things are built, how to use them, how to take them apart, and an inclination to study how they work. A lot of the sports that require these skills are primarily male oriented… Like rugby and football. As well as certain kinds of high-level mathematics that men are, on average, able to perform better on. However, due to variation within these hormone levels in the womb amongst individuals there’ll be the occasional women who is oriented toward these things as well. The majority will be male though.

If the brain is exposed to female hormones during the development of the language part of the brain the person will develop skills typically associated with being female. The will be communicative with a diverse multifaceted understanding of language, and a lot of the feeling/artsy type stuff that goes with this understanding. Women tend to be more interested in introspective things like psychology and relationship dynamics, as opposed to men’s more physical and practical outlook. Occasionally, you’ll get a guy who has a slightly ‘feminized’ brain who has a great interest in such things.

The above is a bit of an over-simplification as the process is a lot more complicated then I stated. The hormone levels will fluctuate throughout the development of the baby the womb giving many different kinds of people with different skills and tendencies. There are many different kinds of ways that ‘male’ and ‘female’ brains differ. It also must be stressed that the majority of women will have mostly feminized brains, while the majority of men will have mostly masculinized brains. Mostly.

For instance most guys have compartmentalized brain, where the different areas of the brain have minimal connections. This makes guys have more of a one-track mind. They focus intensely on one thing at a time. Women have a lot of interconnection between the different parts of their brain and are able to multitask very well. It’s also an explanation of why they are more emotional. They can jump from the information part of their brain to the emotional part really fast. Whereas a guy is more likely to deal with the difficult situation at hand and then have the meltdown afterwards.

Culture has an influence on social customs and fashion but the reality of masculine and feminine is still the same. It’s a really interesting topic. In the 80’s and late 70’s it used to be popular to deny that gender differences were natural and biological, and to think of them as merely social constructs. The trend was to say that men and women are psychologically the same and that each can do what the other does just as well. To say they were different was considered offensive, as the unspoken hint was they we should go back to the 50’s or something. The reality is that in general men and women are naturally different as confirmed by recent research. Each gender has different skills and abilities that come more naturally. Embracing the differences between us does not mean belittling each other. It helps relationships to be so much better if we can understand our partner. If you’re not aware of this type of research yet I recommend Googling it.

My post is not very astrological. But I'm not sure this is a very astrological question. It would be interesting to, say, note the difference between Neptune aspecting Venus in a male, and in a female. Or something like that.

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Both biology and the environment play a role so social constructs play a role and hormones too.

posted August 03, 2014 12:33 AM            

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Originally posted by PixieJane:

My own belief is that the fashion industry, having conquered the female market with their snake oils and psy ops (which advertising technically is, heck one company actually calls itself psyop), is now trying desperately to pick up more of a male market to further increase their profits (just as tobacco once did women) and would've been much more successful were it not for the economy (and the fact men have plenty of other expensive hobbies without getting into that as well, plenty are happier gaming anyway, and plenty of women don't like it, an oversight on the marketing/advertising departments who could get many to change their mind on that). Frankly, when done right advertisement can make turkeys want Thanksgiving.

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Following the money is a good way to get to the root of many things. To me this is common sense not a conspiracy theory but I suppose in a world like idiocrocy everything is taken at face value and questioning things is the exception not the rule.

posted August 03, 2014 10:59 AM            

But I also want to point out that a clean shaven man is not a feminine man. What we are experiencing is today's man taking better care of himself.

Being a stinky hairy mass of sweating man muscle is no longer in. Because women don't like that.

That said, I'm a man and I prepare the scruffy look because I think it adds to my masculinity.

Perhaps when the Pluto in Scorpio generation enters these positions of influence we will see a change in fashion and hygiene again...

posted August 03, 2014 12:13 PM            

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Originally posted by HappyLoewe:
I've noted that men are becoming more and more feminine. For e.g. becoming more hairless all over (shaving & waxing), using beauty products, having regular beauty treatments, wearing softer/pastel shades and are "softening" overall, whether in manner, speech, approach, aggression, dress, style, facial features and gestures. Do you agree/disagree that the male sex is morphing into something more feminine? Are we heading towards being one skin colour and sex? Or is this just transits that allow men to feel more confident in doing the above? This question is asked to satisfy a recent curiosity of mine. Thanks HL

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I think it has more to do with urban life.

posted August 03, 2014 01:02 PM            

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Originally posted by Regulus18:
Hmm maybe we are witnessing the manifestation of the Pluto in Libra generation. They have been in positions of power influencing the fashion industry for a while now.

But I also want to point out that a clean shaven man is not a feminine man. What we are experiencing is today's man taking better care of himself.

Being a stinky hairy mass of sweating man muscle is no longer in. Because women don't like that.

That said, I'm a man and I prepare the scruffy look because I think it adds to my masculinity.

Perhaps when the Pluto in Scorpio generation enters these positions of influence we will see a change in fashion and hygiene again...

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Originally posted by StarlightSmileSupreme:
When you think about it, men who work in offices are supposed to look clean and fresh. They must have nice looking fingernails which they don't always like cleaning and caring for themselves. They need to have clear skin and many of them hate looking too hairy, especially around the hands. So, they might spend money on getting that taken care of, not to look feminine but to be more aesthetically pleasing and neatly groomed in a business sense which would help them advance in their careers. Gives them a polished edge.

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Great points guys!

The actors above are both manly sharp polished looking guys who have a great fashion sense, take good care of their appearance, hygiene and health and are UNDENIABLY very masculine.

We are no longer hunters and gatherers living out in the woods at the complete mercy of mother nature not knowing were our next meal is going to come from with super short life spans so both sexes have the luxury to spend more time on taking care of their health and their appearance if they choose to and doing so brings short term and long term rewards such as better quality of life and more attention from the opposite sex.

However I do feel both sexes need to find that balance bec over doing it is unattractive is my personal opinion.

I find the examples below are overdoing it and I personally find it unattractive but everyone has different tastes:

posted August 03, 2014 07:43 PM            

Sure, you can easily find over the top examples in the media, just as you can over the top women and pretty girls. But that's not everyday people. Outside of WeHo (West Hollywood) and the media I don't see very many of them. (Indeed, it was considered a big deal that a boy might wear makeup in a driver license photo, which goes to show it's still not done, certainly not to the point of "morphing into one humanoid" as otherwise it wouldn't have been a big deal.)

The most men like that I've ever seen was in Venice, CA, and even there they were a minority (and probably visiting from WeHo). I just looked up the cam to see that they're still not a bunch of pretty boys overall:

http://www.venicebeachlivecam.tv/

posted August 04, 2014 04:59 AM            

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Originally posted by Leorpio:
*sigh* everyone ignored the comment about polarity and oneness and goes straight for the fashion and science.

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posted August 04, 2014 09:57 AM            

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Originally posted by Leorpio:
*sigh* everyone ignored the comment about polarity and oneness and goes straight for the fashion and science.

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As you said, we have lessons to learn from these perspective, so therefore we need to explore these differences no matter how illusory they may ultimately prove to be, otherwise it was all for nothing.

Besides, there was stuff said (even in regards to science and fashion) about the social constructs which points to it being an illusion or at least exploring how and why the differences exist.