Summary
In “Male fixations,” Dave Barry points out the stereotype about men are supposed to know how to fix things. Because this is a compensative things for women about guys never clean the bathroom or something else. But in fact, not all men will fix things. According to the example that Barry gives us, when men will not fix things, they will find a lot of excuses to escape from the reality. For example in the article, his wife has told his husband that the commode has started making a loud groaning noise, he will stride into the bathroom and pretend to inspect it seriously, and say that almost men will say historically “there is nothing wrong with the commode.” Sometimes guys will choose not to escape but disguise that they can do it and then make a mess. Or try to make a sicere-looking frowny face to deceive somebody there’s nothing happen even if the truth speaks for itself. Such as, “Do you hear that grinding sound in the engine?” his wife asked. And his husband will reply,” I don’t hear any grinding sound.” Even if his husband shout her can hear him over the grinding sound. In fact, guys act though they are in control of the situation by predispositions even they are not.
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Response:
That is a typical stereotype about men should fix things. Why should men know how to fix things? Everyone is proficient in different things. Nowadays, more and more women will study like architecture, electric machinery, electrical engineering, and some subjects we think that only men will study. Men also can be househusbands who do chores just like housewives. Maybe men can do chores better than women or vice versa.
In my opinion, I don’t think that men should be proficient in fixing things. Fix things is an ability. Maybe we only just do not know how to fix things but be proficient in other abilities like languages, teaching, studying and etc. Sometimes, we do not find excuses to escape from the reality on purpose, but women’s stereotype forces us to do that. If men say honestly “I don’t know how to fix it,” we are usually abused by women like “You are a man, and I can’t believe you do not know how to fix things. By the way, if men ask women do you think that women must be a good cook, I think that most women’s answer is No. That‘s the same situation, but the character just change from men to women. Most women will think why we should be a good cook. But when you have this thought, why cannot just think of men being in the same situation?
In my conclusion, it is not necessary for a man knowing how to fix things as long as he has other abilities.
I Agree. I believe this phenomenon had long existed for many generations, and it’s mainly attributes to inborn physical structure, social expectation, and collective conformity. This informal agreement spurs people to behave as correct as usual men or women should be. The one who violate the rule will be regard as a geek, sometimes even just label them as disturbed. Several hundred years ago, women were demanded to be thoroughly submissive and considerate; they could not complain anything outward even husband punch them. Nowadays, men are asked to be robust and should able to behave everything that male predecessor had done in the past. Both men and women could be victim under these conceptions; not only opposite gender, but the same sex as them would tease them for their disparity.
回覆刪除However, if we put away these conceptions, does any punishment come down to us? No, nor publics have the right to depreciate us. For me, I do not care so much about whether I conform to some rules or not. It is my heart that makes what I am, no need to ingratiate others for being what they want me to be. Hard as it may be, the most important thing is to respect yourself, as a personal saying goes: people will never agree you until you identify yourself. I believe you can put this philosophy into practice well.
I agree with you. I don’t think woman should understand how to cook, and man should understand how to fix. Today, in 21 century, the technology is progressive and the society should improve, too. We should see man and woman as equal and throw away the stereotype.
回覆刪除In school, many women good at study architecture, electric machinery, electrical engineering and so forth; on the other hand, men good at art, language, literature and so on. This means people can not use stereotype to evaluate others, just like man is not suppose to fix and woman is not suppose to cook.
If your husband does not know how to fix, just call the electrician to solve the problem. It is not a big deal. If your wife does not know how to cook, just hire a person to cook or eat outside. It is not a matter. Don’t let this kind of thing break your relationship.
In my opinion, people’s proficient ability is more important than the ability of fixing things or cooking for there are a lot of alternatives to it. Everyone has his/her specialty, so don’t laugh at others while he/her do not know how to fix or cook.