Gender Roles In Same-Sex Relationships By Stephen Mays

In Stephen Mays' “What about Gender Roles in Same-Sex Relationships?” (2013), he discusses the unrealistic expectations of gender roles being placed on same-sex couples. He states, as common sense would have it, that neither party in a gay relationship should be labeled as the “woman” of the relationship. In fact, he insists that them being both men makes the relationship more equal. Mays explains, “If one of us cooks dinner once, or every night for that matter, it isn't because he's the “woman” of the relationship. He's probably just better at it than his partner.” Mays demonstrates through this how, despite doing something that is traditionally “feminine,” the one who is doing the cooking should not have to be considered feminine. Mays suggests that without the implication that one of them is the “woman,” There is no need for the two to treat each other any differently which is why he …show more content…
Mays ends with, “ In the case of a gay male relationship, however, the key point is that neither of us is the girl of the relationship, no matter which side of the scale we fall on.” He concludes that regardless of preferences or qualities neither man in a gay relationship is the girl, and nothing can change that. It is possible that Mays' audience may not be clear, but one might infer from his article that his intended audience is those who impose gender roles on same-sex couples. Mays directly addresses the audience through this statement, “I'll spell it out for you: neither of them is the girl.” He is clearly addressing an audience he assumes to be implying that one male in a gay relationship is the “girl.” It is also most unlikely that he would even need to explain or criticize these forced roles to those who are in same-sex relationships. So if he is not addressing the ones being forced into the roles, then