“Act like a man.” “She talks like a girl.” What does that even mean?

These “gender boxes” refer to the social constructs that define expectations for women and men. In general, men are expected to be tougher and more dominant, to suppress emotions—except for anger—and to eschew anything considered “feminine.” Women are expected to focus on their appearance, be more submissive, and prioritize social relationships and cohesion.

These norms are passed down by family, reinforced by society, learned in schools and religious institutions, and reflected in the media.

But wait—do these boxes REALLY reflect who we are? Or who we want to be? Or are they just stereotypes imposed on us?

Scott and Ashley deconstruct these boxes—where they come from, why we hardly even see them anymore, and how they might just be pigeonholing us into shoeboxes that don’t quite fit. We ask: do these gender boxes really serve women OR men?

Resources: Do Men Actually Like Women, or Just the Performance of Femininity?, Man in Make-Up Accuses Newsom of Not Being Manly, Man in Make-Up Accuses Newsom of Not Being Manly, The Gendered Brain/Gender and our Brains by Gina Rippon NEW 2025, Why do more men die of COVID? It's likely not what you think, We Don't Come Out of the Womb Either Feminine or Masculine