"stereotypical sexual roles" is the root of the whole problem I think. When we were little boys we were pushed into being masculine, but many of us, me for one, didn't actually like doing most of that stuff. If there had been some kind of middle ground so that boys who felt that way could be kind of girly, we would probably have gone there, and grown up happy and complete.
I think that since I started dressing openly with my wife and acknowledging my feminine side, I have been able to function better as a man. I still go round in public, doing my job etc. as a man but I also use my more feminine feelings and I think I relate to people better - and I can do this without putting on an effeminate manner. I save that for when I'm wearing a dress.
It's not that I positively like being a man, but it's what I am, so I'm going to do my best with the hand I was dealt.
