One of the Boys
72
Tomboys, androgynes, and uppity mannish women
St. Mary of Alexandria became a monk -- not a nun (died, 508). In the Middle Ages it was safer to dress as a man if you were traveling unaccompanied. During the Renaissance in Europe -- and as late as the First World War (Dorothy Lawrence) -- there are documented instances of women impersonating male soldiers and going off to fight. In Albania during the last century a shortage of men was redressed, literally, by women who cut off their hair and stepped in to play the man's role.
There are many different reasons, but a common thread in all instances of women dressing, impersonating, or becoming men: they achieve greater freedom, power, and even legitimacy.
This is quite a different scenario from men who become women, and while I'm choosing to set aside the purely sexual aspects of such cases, there are so many more instances of women hiding their gender that we have to concede there is something more at stake than sexuality.
When Pink Ribbons Won't Do
We are all familiar with "girly girls" who curl their hair, play with dolls, and dream of homemaking. But for every girly girl, there is also a tomboy loath to give up the freedom and comfort of jeans and shorter hair for the flapping skirts of womanhood, high heels, and ripped stockings. Many of the trappings of womanhood are uncomfortable, starting with the natural onset of menstruation and ending with the interminably nonadjustable bra strap that can drive otherwise sane women over the edge of reason and into the realms of exasperation.
This is not just a modern phenomenon; in fact, the "anything goes" policy of modern fashion gives women more freedom in dress than probably any time in history. Think of the long skirts and heavy corsets of earlier ages, and rejoice: we don't have to do that anymore. Unless we want to, that is.
Men have always had more freedom of movement in the dictates of fashion (apart from those stiff Eton collars, that ensured stiff necks and a stiff upper lip too, no doubt); historically, the need to be ready to work or fight was paramount, so sensible clothing was the order of the day. Any silly attributes of men's clothes come from leisure and wealth, not work or warfare.
The fact that women also had to work, but in inconvenient clothing, is a matter of record. In farming, for instance, women who worked in the fields often had to gather up their skirts to avoid tripping, catching, ripping, or otherwise getting them in the way of work. Same with factory labor, where loose clothing could endanger limbs, if not lives.
It is not surprising that some women have always chosen to rebel against such strictures.
What's in a Name?
Freedom of movement is not the only issue. Women's voices have historically been discounted in the West, and this goes for writers, too. It is no surprise that many novelists and poets in the nineteenth century had to publish under men's names in order to get their work into the bookshops. Acton, Currer, and Ellis Bell are now published under their real names -- Anne, Charlotte, and Emily Brontë; George Elliot's real name was Mary Anne Evans; Georges Sand was the Baroness Dudevan.
While taking a man's name was as far as most of these writers went, Amandine Aurore Dupin, the Baroness Dudevan, famously also wore men's clothing and scandalized Paris. But it sure is easier to ride a horse when you're wearing trousers. And people read your work more readily if it was thought you were a man.
Many independently minded women therefore have resisted the trivialization of their gender by adopting male modes of dress and behavior. But legal concerns also made it much easier to be a man, as Virginia Woolf satirized in her novel Orlando, where her protagonist wakes up one morning to discover that he is now a woman and has therefore lost his job, his name, and his all his property.
Androgynes
Mannish women, rather than boyish girls, are regarded as bossy, aggressive types. Androgynous behavior -- dressing and acting as a man -- can have many motivations; interestingly, sex itself is one of the least prevalent. But there are perhaps more instances of women undergoing sex changes than is publicly known.
I can find no reliable statistics on transmen, women who opt for surgical procedures to enhance male attributes (i.e. enlarging the clitoris so that it becomes more like a penis, or grafting a prosthetic penis); it is cost-prohibitive, too: over $50,000 seems to be the figure most often quoted (while transwomen spend half that, at most, and as little as $7000 in some cases).
However, Chastity "Chaz" Bono is currently shedding some light on this topic; daughter of Cher and Sonny Bono, Chaz's transformation will soon be complete. Whether an instance of gender ambiguity at birth (not as uncommon as you might think, hundreds of intersex babies are born each year) or a conscious choice as an adult, Chaz's case will hopefully help us understand more about the issue.
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Comments
My grandfather is really into geneaology and he discovered a few years back that one of our family members (not directly related, but some sort of cousin, I think) disguised herself as a boy and ran away from home in the late 1800s or early 1900s because her father wouldn't let her go to college. They found her a few towns over, working as a farmhand to try to earn the money to send herself. Sadly, I don't know what happened from there, or whether she ever achieved her dream.
Thanks, Pam, for stopping by -- yes; we can't avoid the fact that some of the disadvantages of being female involve basic issues such as personal safety and sensible clothing.
Kerry -- sad story -- wonder how many girls tried the same route? I hope she was able to go to college, but I doubt it. Basic human rights come into play in cases such as that one. Thanks for commenting.
really fine hub..addressing a long standing prejudice sustained by ignorance and the unwillingness to understand...I hope, as yourself, that we can come to understand, because it is certain that without, we will continue to maintain prejudice.....which may sadly prove unwarranted...
peace..I, as others, look forward to your writings...i've always yearned to be a master wordsmith and all that entails..it's cool to observe the manifestations of an artist at work and to be able to communicate with the wizard..you r a good teacher of consumate skill who I have learned much from...I say this not from the position of sychophancy, but from respect...
with that said, may I with sufficiency say, thanks for teaching...
peace
Thanks, John, for your kind comment. Since I can't be in the classroom anymore, it really makes me happy to think someone might be open-minded enough to find something to learn in the hubs I write. I'm constantly learning from fellow hubbers, too.
Yes that was all true. Fortunately we have now matured as a society and we recognize the waste of ignoring the intellect and talent of half of our population. Now I would say women have a far wider range of acceptable attire than men. Woman can be a frilly and delecate as the desire or as rough and tough as they desire. Men are far more limited in their selection and in the way they are allowed to act.
True, Pete: women do have more freedom in clothing now than men. Now, if we could just get the pay ratio up from 72 cents on the dollar that every man earns, we'd be happier.
There are definitely some tough things about being a woman, but I think I'll stick with it. I'm no girly-girl. But I don't think I'm a tomboy either.
This is interesting stuff, Teresa. I remember a movie a few years back about a girl that made herself into a boy. That was difficult to watch because of the way she was treated. I can't remember the name, though.
Hey, LaughingM -- it seems to be a much less common transition than the other way around, men becoming women.
I think some amphibians change sex depending on which gender is currently lacking; it's a much more difficult process for humans, though. I've played guys on stage, but only as the female impersonating a male in Shakespeare (Two Gentlemen of Verona, etc.), which calls for hamming it up to the max (sorry!).
Amphibians change sex depending on which gender is currently lacking?? ummmm.......
I remember an "old maid" school teacher in the late 50s who always wore a skirt suit but one that was very mannish. I came across her as an adult and realised there was more to her than met the eye of a child. She was a fabulous teacher though.
I bet there's many an old maid who would rather not have been wearing skirts. And in previous centuries some of them were called witches and burned at the stake. . .
No wonder you sit on 100 Teresa McGurk - another great hub - I was a tomboy as a child, not a huge fan of dolls etc much preferred the gifts my twin brother received such as fire trucks, but luckily grew out of that as time passed - what a brave person the "monk" was even to the point of accepting a cild not of her own making to raise!
"Now, if we could just get the pay ratio up from 72 cents on the dollar that every man earns, we'd be happier." is this for real????
cheers and thanks
Hey ajcor -- yes, in the US women earn 72 cents on the dollar. Less than three-quarters -- ye gods!
and I thought the U.S.0f A. led the way in equality for all...I guess this must have slipped through the net somehow!! I can't quite pinpoint it but i think it was in the late '60/ early 70's we got equal pay, although this still backfires but in a different way as that glass ceiling is really made of stainless steel and women are in the minority when it comes to top jobs... cheers
Wonderful points to bring up on this topic, Teresa. I was always fascinated with the fact that women dressed as men just to get along in the world, not necessarily due to sexual preference (which wouldn't have been understood by me so way back when anyway). There is an intrigue in that for me still today. I was quite aware of George Strand, lover of Chopin. I'm pleased when I can stand up for her and clear the air that she was, indeed, a woman.
Women writers taking on male pseudonyms or using initials (which of course is still being done to this day, take JK Rowlings, for instance, author of the Harry Potter series.
I took a class at university, Women Create Women in Literature, and I was amazed at all the tricks women authors used. Interesting to see "between the lines" as well (double meaning, double content, cryptic messages). Authors like Kate Chopin, Jane Austen, Virginia Wolf as you mentioned, Paule Marshall, and many many others. It wasn't all that long ago. Anyway, sorry to go on. Well done. Enjoyable read. Thank you Teresa!
Yep, ajcor: there's always something!
Frieda -- indeed, there are many women whose work had to be disguised. Christina Rosetti had her work published as children's verse (because how could a woman write poetry on an adult level?) when it is some of the most "adult" themed stuff out there. You would like a great text by Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar: Madwomen in the Attic, about 19th century women writers, as it deals with these issues (I taught Women's lit. a couple of times, myself). Thanks for the great comment.
Teresa - Although I disagree with the phrase 'it's a mans' world' I do believe it still exists in many forms. I was brought up to feel as though it was my role in life to serve men. To be honest, I rebelled all the way. I couldn't quite work out on what basis it was founded upon. More so because my mother didn't practice what she preached.
I applaud equality and I'm always dismayed to discover its existence along lifes' pathways. I remain a tomboy and happily so. Though that's because I like the freedom it allows me as opposed to trying to be less feminine to get ahead.
I enjoyed reading your article - one thing I had 'slightly' in common with something you wrote was that I kept my own name post-marriage. Though I don't know if I'd ever go far enough to change my christian name to it's masculine version.
Thanks Teresa :)
In South Africa, we had the famous case of Dr James Barry who was only unmasked when she died and it was discovered that she was a female during th post mortem.James Barry, female disguised as a man,was a surgeon general (British army)
froggy-D -- changing your name to someone else's does seem a bit odd -- I mean, it's OUR name, and we'd be giving it up. Unless, of course, your name was something daft and you couldn't wait to get rid of it. . .
Sixty -- there ya go! She could never have served as surgeon or attained the post of surgeon general had she revealed her true identity. Thanks for that one!
Conforming and nonconforming both mean a certain sacrifice. So ultimately it's about what makes us comfortable in our own skin. I know it's easier said than done, but it's really never easy to be happy sometimes. Insightful hub, thanks for sharing :D
Very interesting read, especially in light of this week's big news (Michael Jackson). Got me thinking of a couple of my favorite movies involving women dressing as men: Shakespeare In Love and Victor Victoria.
Also so glad you mentioned Chastity/Chaz Bono. There is a certain symmetry there, don't you think? Her mom is one of the biggest icons/idols of the gay entertainment world, and here she is seeking to become a man.
You mention Two Gentlemen of Verona, and examples of women in literature and the arts goes back even further. In The Odyessy, Athena goes to the aid of people in the guise of men. I am sure there are more but I don't know them, but it's interesting that the audiences of the time had the same understanding of women dressing as men as we do today in that it was a means to overcome obstacles facing women of the time. Great article and "food for thought."
Great hub, Theresa...and again, such illuminating comments. Thanks so much. It's much the same in Canada. In addition to the much-decried glass ceiling, women here still earn far less than a man for the same work. Even in academia, a so-called enlightened place of higher learning, it is still assumed that a male TA needs a full salary because he will be supporting a family, but a female TA will not be, so she should not require a full salary.
interesting topic! I met many of those Androgynes, and they're really bossy. Thanks for the nice hub.
Shamel
Christoph -- great point. There are indeed examples of such cases in the literature of all time periods.
Redelf -- That is simply appalling. At least I earned as much as the guys when I was a TA, if not since.
Thanks, Shamel, for coming by and reading, I do appreciate it.
I've always been fascinated with human nature and the need to make clear who does and wears what. It seems so silly to me quite often, you know?
Maybe the people who cling to such labels are those least sure of who they are?
Great Hub. Thanks!
pgrundy says:
6 months ago
Excellent article, as always. Here in the US during the westward expansion, many, many ranch hands were discovered at death to be female. It was very common, and one of the main reasons was safety. A man with a gun in unsettled territory is not as vulnerable, not nearly, as a woman in petticoats.
I remember vividly when it bacame no longer OK to play outside topless. It was well in advance of puberty--it seems like around age 6 or 7--and all of the girls on our block found it outrageously unfair. Thanks for writing this. Although we have more freedom in our dress now, in many ways things have not changed as much as we think they have. That's my view anyway.