Gendered Implications of my own Values

After writing about my values a few days ago, it occurred to me—brought back to my professional interest in gender—that my [very American] values did not seem to be particularly ‘gendered’.  They would be, it seemed to me, equally pertinent for men or women.   

But then, on further reflection, I realized that within the values that came spontaneously to mind, there was nothing about loyalty or courage in the face of violence—values to which I also adhere but that may be more emphasized for men.  My own courage, for instance, has been far removed from my physical safety. ‘Speaking truth to power’ takes a kind of courage.  But I have never had to face an enemy who was likely to strike me, for instance; I have never been called on to rush into a melee to save someone.  In the US, most boys and many men do have to face such eventualities.  And although I have tried to be loyal to my friends, it has not seemed to be a value much threatened.  I have rarely been confronted with friends or family under physical attack (more often I have defended against emotional or verbal attack).  [There are, of course, places (and times)—too many—where violence strikes everyone, men, women and children.]

Alexander Dumas’ work, The Count of Monte Cristo, reminds me that issues of obedience and submission vis-à-vis pride and strength, or protection (of one’s reputation and of others) might be more emphasized in a list made by men.  Many of the values associated with ‘hegemonic masculinity’ are notably absent from my own spontaneous list—despite my respect for many of them (responsibility, self-control, strength, courage). 

So…perhaps it is less the applicability or not of a particular value, and more the repertoire of ‘activated’ values or ones likely to be activated that vary by gender…

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