Two Sides to Every Coin: Looking at Both Ends of the Gender Dicussion

Women in nerd culture do have it rough. I have to admit that it's hard to be constantly judged and criticized. But, it's not only females who have it rough in nerd culture. Men have it rough, too!

The stereotypical behaviors and attitudes attributed to the masculine gender role have created this Herculean caricature of the buff Bro-ham with a muscle tank and a brewski in his hand. And, whether you're male or female, I'm sure that you've met him at some point or another. (Yet, this caricature has done more damage than sexual harassment and poor choices at parties. )

The word "nerd" brings to mind many connotations and images. The primary image being the stereotypical "nerdy guy" look complete with skinny frame, poor fashion choices, and large cranium. However, the connotations that go along with the image hurt more. The connotations are the nerds are "weak", "feeble", "sexually ignorant" -- more professional sounding than "virgin" I have to admit --, "social awkward"...the list goes on. These connotations line up with the ideas of "hypomasculinity" [1] or having none or less than normal masculinity. And most of the time, those who exhibit those traits of hypomasculinity are told and repeated ridiculed for not fitting the gender norms. In plain terms: they're picked on.

Now, I have to admit that this whole situation might sound as though it came out of a bad high school drama film. People getting pick on for not being the ideal buff Jock type. Yet, those films weren't so far off. Men are taught to deal with their problems straight on. They are taught to avoid anything feminine and be self-reliant [2]. So it wouldn't be a surprise that if a male came across someone who wasn't masculine, they would joke and ridicule him for it. The level of these jests often varies from playful to hurtful to downright cruel, but they do happen. Even if you don't think they do.

And with these attacks driving away at their self-esteem, I understand why some male nerds have grown up with a distinct -- to sound polite -- dislike of ideas and attitudes that are the opposite of masculine. Nerd culture has offered them a chance to be top dog. Their the ones with all of the answers and are the ones regarded as the best of the best. So, when a chick comes around that slays them in a game or in nerd trivia, let's just say that it's high school all over again. And why they would be so eager to attack anything that might threaten their little nest of happiness that nerd culture has offered them.