Androgyny
Society used to have very strict gender roles for men and women to follow as they matured into adults. It seemed only natural that female biology prepared them to be mothers, while men could go to work and earn a living. Socialization by parents, peer groups, schools, and other institutions tended to reinforce those traditional masculine and feminine gender roles. Children usually do not consciously recognize those social scripts as gender roles. However, when a child enters adolescence, he or she often feels the pressure of conforming to the given gender roles. Some people chose to resist conforming to traditional gender roles by integrating aspects of both masculinity and femininity into their personalities and behavior. Instead of selecting from very masculine or very feminine, those people who consider themselves androgynous are both masculine and feminine.
Many studies indicate that androgynous people exhibit more flexible behaviors than traditional people: They are less limited by gender-role assumptions, have higher levels of self-esteem, make better decisions in group settings involving both males and females, and demonstrate more social competence and motivation to achieve. There is also evidence that those people who are more masculine, men or women, are more independent and assertive with their opinions than those who are identified as rigidly feminine. This idea makes sense when realizing the masculine role in society, one of assertive and dominating behavior. Androgyny can help to balance out the extremes of masculinity by integrating a more nurturing attitude into one's personality.
Androgyny has also been linked to a higher degree of sexual fulfillment, along with more positive attitudes towards sexuality in general. Those who bring androgyny in their relationships are more aware of and expressive of loving feelings, as well as more tolerant and less judgmental of the sexual behaviors of others. There is also evidence that androgynous females are able to experience orgasm more frequently through intercourse, and they report a greater sexual satisfaction overall than feminine-typed women.
Although androgyny may seem like the answer to society's gender wars, it is wise to exercise caution before being too enthusiastic about its benefits. Despite the studies that show an androgynous lifestyle as one of a mellow balance of the positive characteristics of masculinity and femininity, there is also evidence that masculinity is more closely associated with successful social adjustment and a positive self-esteem. This is perhaps because society values masculine traits more strongly, thus leading to greater social rewards. Nevertheless, practicing any degree of androgyny in our lives may indeed be beneficial for many people.
Reference:
Crooks, Robert and Karla Baur. Our Sexuality. California: Wadsworth Group, 2002.