What Do You Expect From Me?

A central interest of mine is gender equality and what this may look like in the future. In this series I’m focusing on men, in particular, men trying to find their place in society. Globally, I question if our societies are not becoming polarised with respect to gender equality. That is, the advancement of gender equality occurs simultaneously and counter to other societal groups who seek to uphold traditional stereotypes. To some degree, the two positions react against and evolve off each other causing the polarisation. I think one only needs to look to the US to see this polarising in real time.

At an individual level, this polarisation does create dual and competing expectations for all, men in the case of this piece. People, regardless of their achievements, ultimately assess their worth against expectations; be them personal, of friends, of peers, of family or society. I think these conflicting expectations are complex and not easy to navigate for anyone, particularly if you’re a young adult trying to find your place in society along with your identity. In this light, it is not hard to see how men, both old and young, can find themselves at an expectation crossroad or void, but society moves ahead regardless.