Real men don’t want to be seen watching figure skating. While figure skating seems to have a dominantly female fan base, it is possible that many men may be watching the sport in the privacy of their homes (Moore). The typical audience at a figure skating event comprises of two-thirds female and only one-third male, a majority of who seem to have reluctantly accompanied their wives to the event. Men feign disinterest in this sport primarily because of the controversies associated with male figure skating fans.
These controversies question the masculinity and sexuality of the men who participate in the sport and those who watch it. By watching figure skating, men feel as though they are going against the social constructs of masculinity and heterosexuality. Cultural stereotypes of masculinity infer that men only enjoy physically rough sports. Therefore, the feminine like elements of figure skating such as the dressing, make-up and graceful nature of the sport have no space in the masculine world. Despite the fact that figure skating is a physically demanding sport, most men shy away from it. The flamboyance and feminine behavior of skaters goes against cultural stereotypes of machoism expected in men.
Maleness and femaleness are distinguished by the sex or gender of an individual. Consequently, gender roles and stereotypes in different societies are based on maleness and femaleness. Gender role standards and stereotypes are more or less consistent within and across different cultures. The nature of maleness necessitates that men ought to be independent, assertive and competitive while women should be supportive, dependent and sensitive. The cultural and sociological definitions of gender influence elements such as status in society, roles, and relationships.
Works Cited
Moore, Emmeline. "Real Men Don't Watch Figure Skating." The Telegraph. N.p., 2010. Web. 11
