Has coming to terms w/yourself effected the way you view men?

[Naomi Rayne]

I would not say that my perception of men has completely done a 180, but it has been altered slightly. I have always found guys to be quite annoying, i have always had more women friends then guy friends. This goes back to even before i started making a habit out of CDing. I also think the definition of a man is based on those that define it. I am very analytical, can be a major jerk sometimes (but its usually all in good natured fun, never being a serious jerk). So in that regard i would be a typical man, but i would never demean a women especially behind their back, and i am not incredibly muscular or strong. I am more brain then brawn. Those are all based on society traits, but since things are every changing and always fluctuating i would bring it simply down to I have the male anatomy which makes me a man. Aside from that how i feel, act, and who i am was all crafted by environmental aspects of life and filtered by my brain into who i want to be. Its all about how you grow up and how society shapes you. Like someone was saying about how in the UK things are way different socially for men, because thats how they grew up there.

[GingerLeigh]

Actually I think I have a better view of men now then I ever did. I feel sorry for most of them. Many are behaving the way they have been programmed to act since they were wee lads. They cannot help themselves for it. Men are EXPECTED to be crude animals when it comes to women, at least behind the backs of women. A gentleman up front, a sex mongering beast behind closed doors.
My wife excuses much of my sons behavior as "he's just a boy, that's how they are" That's a load of crap. He is being programmed just as we all were, to be a stereotypical male. My daughter is expected to follow a more stringent path of programming with more restrictions on behavior. Sigh.

Ginger

[annabellejorden]

I find I have the same view as before, basically that they are sports-crazed Neanderthals.

But, since coming to terms with myself, I feel more tolerant of the constant chest beating.

[Kate Simmons]

Not sure what you mean. I view men the same as I view women--as people. Everyone is a unique individual in my opinion.

[JamieG]

All the guy bashing irritates me.
For the most part, I consider myself very much to be a man still, despite my crossdressing. It kind of hurts to think people might think stereotype me in this way, especially when I don't participate in the women bashing. Admitedly I have before, and maybe still do hold some kind of a grudge against women, but only because I have been hurt so badly in the past by them.

I have to agree with Melissa. When I am in drab, I get along well with many men. Now most of my male friends are well-educated, good husbands to their wives, and good fathers to their children; so we have much in common. If I knew more hard-drinking, male chauvinist types, I might feel more like some of the other posters; but I simply don't run in those circles. However, when I am en femme, I am uncomfortable around men in general. Since I tend to CD in private or at private TG functions, this is rare; but I will related one story that happened the very first time I stepped out of the house en femme:

It was a Halloween about seven years ago, and my wife and I had decided to go to a friend's party as female pop singers. I had on a tight tank top, mini skirt, white fishnets and high heel boots. My wife had done my makeup and I had a long blond wig. The party was a twenty minute drive from our house; my wife offered to drive since I had never driven in heels before. I was nervous to be out, but also quite excited. About halfway to the party, we stopped at a light and a car of drunk guys pulls up next to us. They start making all sort of crude remarks and immediately I get very uncomfortable. I don't know if they saw that I was a guy in drag and wanted to tease me, or if it was so dark that they thought they were coming on to two sexily-dressed ladies. Anyway, that one moment has strengthened my feminism, because that is something that I'm sure many women have had to endure, and quite simply, it's disgusting behavior!

That said, that was one group of individuals, and I will not let that experience color all of my other positive interactions with other men.

[Nick2Nikki]

Not sure what you mean. I view men the same as I view women--as people. Everyone is a unique individual in my opinion.

Yes. This. Thank you.

Bah, all these negative stereotypes of men being brought up make mtf crossdressers seem like a bunch of man-haters. On one hand it's not that surprising, after all we are mostly a group of people trying to not be or act like men. On the other hand, there's always an active thread complaing about how society buys into negative stereotypes about crossdressers. Hypocrisy much?

Sorry, but these threads really get under my skin.

[annabellejorden]

I must apologize, I did not mean to make it sound like that was my view of all men,

I do know males who are awesome friends, one of them is even coming over to help with house chores while my ankle is hurt. ( actually, he is here now, but will keep coming over till I am better )

The ones I do have a problem with are the Neanderthals in the group.

For instance, my supervisor at work, he is constantly talking about how many females he is with.
He is one of the worst kinds, if your not trying to bang every skirt that walks by, then your a f@#.

Those types of men I cant stand.
Other types, are ok in my book.

( btw: I identify as male, even sometimes when dressed )

[5150 Girl]

Nope! I've always thought they were smelly, icky, hairy, and gross. My opinion has not changed.



Kathi

Ditto!