We hold all people to unspoken rules about who and how they should be, how they should think, and what they should say. We say we hate stereotypes but take issue when people deviate from those stereotypes. Men don't cry. Feminists don't shave their legs. Southerners are racist. Everyone is, by virtue of being human, some kind of rule breaker, and my goodness, do we hate when the rules are broken.
In her book "Bad Feminist," Roxane Gay discusses the societal expectations imposed on individuals regarding their behavior, thoughts, and expressions. She points out the irony that while people commonly express disdain for stereotypes, they often react negatively when someone challenges or deviates from these preconceived notions. This contradiction highlights a fundamental issue in how society enforces conformity.
Gay emphasizes that everyone has the potential to break these unspoken rules, which ironically makes rule-breaking an integral part of being human. The societal discomfort with individuals who do not fit neatly into stereotypes—such as the belief that men should not express emotions or that feminists should uphold certain appearances—illustrates the broader struggle against rigid classifications and the need for acceptance of individuality.
