4 Comments
Oct 31Liked by Jeffrey Nall, Ph.D.

I've noticed this too. What a creepy throw back!

Expand full comment

I actually did a Halloween party in drag in about 7th grade circa 1964ish. It may have been a time while drag was somewhat acceptable due to characters as Milton Berle and movies like “Some like it Hot” with Jack Lemon and Tony Curtis. Reception as I recall was mixed but I did win best costume a box of chocolate cherries the prize.

It seems the wave of conservatism of Reagan really set the “gender norms” in concrete for years. My kingdom for a return to the 60’s and 70’s when things were fun.

Expand full comment
founding
Nov 2·edited Nov 4

Thank you for highlighting such a significant and relevant topic regarding the ongoing global crises: patriarchal violence stems from a stratification system that remains one of the most neglected and overlooked issues in our society, mainly due to our blind and stubborn adherence to outdated cultural beliefs, corrupted media, and toxic socialization which are primarily responsible for these dominant gender stereotypes as you eloquently illustrated in your exceptional piece. The depiction of boys or men as muscular superheroes and framing their violence by heroism reveals a distorted and false concept of manhood often referred to "toxic masculinity," similarly, the portrayal of girls or women, whatever, in frivolous costumes or as "femme fatale," a coldhearted, evil female who employs her charm to achieve hidden purposes or agendas, also reflects toxic femininity which ultimately reinforces and normalize the notion of toxic masculinity.

Sadly, both of these destructive and discriminatory ideologies and gender norms contributed to the spreading of brutality and violence affecting all genders and ages. Due to these misleading, harmful concepts, everyone pays a high price, but women, in particular, tolerate egregious human rights violations and their innumerable manifestations, including rape, physical assault, trafficking, and stalking victimizations; these acts alarmingly characterize such violence as the most dangerous "endemic."

Ironically, many of us still believe the deceitful assumptions, falsehoods, and false promises regarding the achieving of women's freedom and gender equality in modern societies. In contrast, more than 35 % of women in the U.S. experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) or male-based violence, which is meant to increase the threat of psychopathologies such as depression and post-traumatic stress, as well as rising suicide rates. Instead of supporting and providing the necessary mental health care for them, we often inflict further damage and harm by legalizing the termination of their unborn children and electing leaders who promote a deformed view of the freedom of women's bodies, equality, and bodily integrity. At the same time, they are the same leaders who frequently fund several acts of violence, such as bombing, burning, and assaulting women's bodies in other countries and among female refugees. Electing leaders solely based on their gender, race, or ethnicity and overlooking these victimized women is no longer an acceptable act of unjustified violence, unexplained bigotry, and a profound lack of empathy.

Toxic masculinity implies that men must display toughness and reject anything perceived as feminine, including the expression of emotions or crying. This view usually leads to dramatic consequences, as many men paying the price with their lives: a prevalent factor in high male suicide rates is their reluctance to pursue help when they need it due to these patriarchal expectations. Unfortunately, many male suicides could have been prevented if cultural barriers had not stopped them from seeking help. Men are often expected to be strong at all times, and any deviation from traditional gender roles is viewed as a sign of weakness, flaw, or a loss of masculinity. Tragically, children are the most innocent victims of this misinformed and misguided conception. They often pay the highest price and carry the worst consequences, as research indicates that patriarchal violence can negatively contribute to mental health issues in children, potentially leading to severe cognitive disabilities due to the prolonged stress and trauma experienced from exposure to such abuse within a power-imbalanced family dynamic.

Our silent endorsement and normalization of violence, whether it occurs behind doors or as an outcome of war crimes, reflects a lack of empathy that can no longer be acceptable. Our disagreements regarding leaders who prioritize their agendas rather than offering programs to support the needs of those children with mental disabilities or to prevent violence locally and globally indicate an alarming lack of empathy can no longer be acceptable. Electing leaders who fund and eternalize genocides against children only to define our gender identities but fail to define ourselves as humans is the greatest immoral scandal in history.

Nothing better captures the essence of empathy to label self-identities than your insightful words: "Genuine and humane power is the development and use of reason, compassion, and creativity to affect the world. Those who dismiss such a vision of power or abandon desires for a healthier vision of masculinity rooted in love and non-violence..."

I sincerely appreciate your unique demonstration of such an invaluable and vital topic.

Expand full comment

Excellent breakdown on the construction of gender with costumes.

Going just beyond childhood, I’m remembering back in university days just how many men dressed as women for Halloween, to the point that it was an ongoing joke about how eager straight guys were to try drag on just that one day. I think Dan Savage has referred to Halloween as “gay pride for straight people.” Perhaps this is evidence of men pushing back against patriarchal norms, or at least testing out transgressing them temporarily?

The other big trend I recall from that age range was for gendered women’s costumes to be “sexy _____” with a version of anything made horny (remembering friends making fun of it talking about dressing as a sexy dead baby). That seems like an extension of the kids’ costume trends you describe.

Expand full comment