Gender Switch Experience

My Freshman English classes spend several weeks examining issues of gender fall quarter, especially how and why gender roles are defined the way they are. As a culmination to our studies, the classes decided that they wanted to try on the roles of the opposite sex for an afternoon or evening. Each class split into men and women to develop the lists of rules the other sex would have to follow. Later in the week, they met and helped each other get ready. Men helped women tie ties. Women helped the men with makeup. And I took pictures!

Click on which quarter's experiment you want to see to start the show:Fall or Spring
Click on the photos to see the next one. Enjoy.

Rules for men

Preparation:

• Used fruity or flowery soap and/or scented lotion
• Plucked one eyebrow hair

Wore:

• Dress or skirt with low-cut top
• Pantyhose
• Shoes with at least a one-inch heel, if possible; Sandals that look good with a dress, if your feet are too big
• Makeup (base, powder, blush, eye liner, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick)
• Hair clip or bow
• Three pieces of visible jewelry

Carried:

• Purse with tampons, compact, lipstick

During Day:

• Checked makeup in compact and reapplied lipstick
• Carried purse
• Watched a soap opera or show on Lifetime
• Ate a salad
• Drank water or diet soft drink
• Went to the bathroom in a group
• Made an effort to smile all day
• Giggled
• Crossed legs (knee over knee)
• Asked if your clothes made you look fat
• Minimized swearing
• Didn't interrupt men talking

Rules for women

Preparation:

• No more than 15 minutes to get ready

Wore:

• Dress pants/khakis
• Button-down shirt and business tie
• Boxers with nothing underneath
• No makeup, nail polish, perfume (chapstick allowed)
• No earrings or jewelry, except a men's watch
• Hair pulled back without styling
• Dress shoes and black socks

Carried:

• Money, keys, ID in wallet or pocket

During Day:

• Nodded and only said hey to friends you passed.
• Didn't talk about feelings.
• Didn't smile or giggle unless something was really funny
• Watched Sports Center
• Ate large portions of greasy food
• Didn't drink diet soft drinks
• Read a magazine or newspaper on the toilet
• Went to bathroom alone
• Said dude and cool at least 10 times
• Didn't apologize for farting or belching
• Slouched
• Sat with legs apart
• Bragged about self, accomplishments
• Punched a guy in a chummy way
• Interrupted others in conversation