Nobody posts in this forum anymore. Because I want the other thread to die a quick death (I know, won't happen) .. I present to you the following article:
I've guessed this all-along. The men are getting girly and women are getting manly. It's good in some ways, bad in others, I guess...
I see this with a lot of my students. Women are assuming more power and the guys are starting to put on makeup. Korea has really embraced this metrosexual trend.
Are you a guy? Would you wear makeup to make your skin whiter? To make your pimples less evident?
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/new...0412260015.html
Korean Gender Roles Collapsing
Metro Sexual: A New Male Image or Media Commodity?
A survey has revealed that for more than half of Korean men and women, fixed gender roles are collapsing, and both sexes are pursuing relatively “androgynous” lifestyles.
Cheil Communications announced Sunday that in its report entitled “2004 Quiet Revolution in Our Age’s Men and Women,” which was written after surveying 300 people (150 men, 150 women) between the ages of 17 and 39, 66.7 percent of men and 57.3 percent of women were categorized as “androgynous.”
Respondents to the survey, which was composed of 15 check-style questions, were categorized based on their answers as “androgynous,” “masculine,” feminine,” and “indeterminate.”
The results revealed that men have developed feminine delicacy and have taken a greater interest in fashion, actively taking care of their physical appearances. Women, on the other hand, now possess leadership and have grown more self-conscious.
Cheil Communications labeled men who desire the strong points of the opposite sex “Mr. Beauty,” while labeling women who do the same, “Ms. Strong.”
Cheil Communications team leader Park Jae-hang said, “The survey revealed that many Korean men and women desire the strong points of not only their own sex, but those of the opposite sex as well... It appears the changes in male and female sexual roles are not a temporary fad, but will continue into the future.”
The following are the changes in sexual roles revealed by the survey, sorted by age and profession.
◇ “Mr. Beauty”
▲ Male university students between the ages of 19 and 24: This group forms the prototypical “Mr. Beauty.” Men, too, acknowledge that it’s now a time to be competitive about appearance, and purchase many forms of male-use cosmetics and bright clothing. This group views sexual economic equality as natural, and considers it old fashioned for men to pay for entire dates.
▲ Unmarried working men between the ages of 25 and 34: This group isn’t as concerned about “looking good” as the university students, but do worry about their appearances in order to raise their own value. They desire male-female relations where both sides help one another rather than assigning gender roles to one side only.
▲ Married working men between the ages of 28-39: In particular, men in their 30s are working to drop the tough masculine image and become softer, more refined men. Both husbands and wives work and household duties are split. Some want to become “house husbands” or take “paternity leave,” but they worry about what those around them might think.
◇ “Ms. Strong”
▲ Female university students between the ages of 19 and 24: Female university students who want to be sexy and strong form the mainstream. They are aggressive to the point that they will ask out men they like first and demand physical contact, while at the same time refusing special treatment just because they are women.
▲ Unmarried working women between the ages of 24 and 34: This is a generation of women working to become career women recognized for their skills. In order to present a look of femininity and toughness, they thoroughly take care of themselves, and possess feminine delicacy and male tenacity and impulsiveness simultaneously. They look at marriage as a matter of choice.
▲ Married working women between the ages of 28 and 39: This group takes care of themselves and thoroughly manages their time in order to be faithful to both work and family. Sometimes they are envious of their friends who are housewives only, but they take pride in their work and feel a sense of accomplishment.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
