"Relationships" seems to be the place to put this, although I'm being general. It's about whether gender differences are or aren't stereotypes. I'm hoping the discussion will be lively and civil. If I say something that is inaccurate, I hope to be corrected rather than yelled at. I'd be glad for the education.

This came up in my Facebook feed. I commented where it was posted, and also on my home page, and nobody's touched it. I hope that doesn't mean they're afraid of the topic.


I replied, "Beautiful cat. But this does bring up another stereotype, and being a hopeless nerd, I'll address it. Why does 'manly' have to mean looking angry?"

I've seen it before, this supposed connection between masculinity and anger. Even when I was a child drawing for fun, I usually drew women. If I wanted to draw a man, I drew him with a scowling face and heavy browlines to show that it wasn't a woman. I was only around ten years old at the time, so I hope you'll give me a break.

I don't think I'm alone in that thinking. Compare this stylized drawing of a bull


with this stylized drawing of a cow.


Doesn't the bull look inherently angry? I tried to choose two drawings in as close to the same style as possible. Bulls in art are often portrayed as being angry and aggressive. Even when they're smiling, as shown here:


Where did the idea come from that masculinity equals aggression?