MIS Skews Older?

[LiuBang]

It seems like most on this forum skew older than the median age of males in the Anglosphere. Why? And why are young men more afraid of wearing skirts than older counterparts are?

[jamie001]

It seems like most on this forum skew older than the median age of males in the Anglosphere. Why? And why are young men more afraid of wearing skirts than older counterparts are?

Just speaking for myself, when I was young I felt a need to fit-in and be part of the herd. I was indoctrinated into the Man-Box at a very early age. I knew it was wrong for me, but I felt that I had no choice. As we get older and near retirement age, we don’t care what other folks think. Most of us are married or in a relationship. We want to start living authentic lives after being controlled by the Man-Box for many years. We don’t need to impress anyone but ourselves. I wish that I would have accepted myself when I was younger because I would have been able to avoid years of depression and anxiety.

[crfriend]

It seems like most on this forum skew older than the median age of males in the Anglosphere. Why? And why are young men more afraid of wearing skirts than older counterparts are?

It's because of the constraints put upon us as youth. Then we have to develop our careers and reputations This controls a whole lot.

Once we have established ourselves as fully functional we can then branch out in other areas without much worry, where we would have had to worry about it earlier on. Simple cultural pressure and male-policing.

[DrFishnets]

I sometimes wish I had worn skirts and dresses when I was younger in my teens and 20s but at that age I was very shy. Some women commented that I had a great body in my teens and 20s but unfortunately I put on weight in my 30s even though I lost weight in my late 30s but put it all back on. I am now 51 and sometimes I think the reason I wear skirts and dresses now is because I am going through a midlife crisis. I do feel the older I’m getting the less shy I’m getting.

[GoSkirtGo]

If you had asked this question in the early days of this forum, I would've agreed about the age skewing older. Nowadays, with gender-non-conformity not being as frowned upon in the rising generation, I think it's more of a bimodal distribution now. (It seems like there are relatively few of us who are in the phase of life where we have family/careers on the line.)

[crfriend]

Nowadays, with gender-non-conformity not being as frowned upon in the rising generation, I think it's more of a bimodal distribution now.

Indeed, and it's complicating things greatly for the vast majority identifies as "straight", This causes the garment to be incorrectly construed as a flag regarding sexuality where there is actually no reason for it. This, in turn, causes the straight population to turn away from the idea. And that window is closing rapidly. Unless the "straight" majority claim a stake we'll lose the opportunity for at least several generations.

[GoSkirtGo]

Nowadays, with gender-non-conformity not being as frowned upon in the rising generation, I think it's more of a bimodal distribution now.

Indeed, and it's complicating things greatly for the vast majority identifies as "straight", This causes the garment to be incorrectly construed as a flag regarding sexuality where there is actually no reason for it. This, in turn, causes the straight population to turn away from the idea. And that window is closing rapidly. Unless the "straight" majority claim a stake we'll lose the opportunity for at least several generations.

Good point. If you wear skirts or other feminine attire because you want to be seen as gender-non-conforming, then now is probably one of the best times in recorded history for you. If you are a cishet male who wants to wear these garments simply because you prefer them for reasons not related to your gender identity, then not as much so.

[DrFishnets]

If you wear skirts or other feminine attire because you want to be seen as gender-non-conforming, then now is probably one of the best times in recorded history for you. If you are a cishet male who wants to wear these garments simply because you prefer them for reasons not related to your gender identity, then not as much so.

To be honest I’ve come to the point now that I don’t really give a damn if anyone seen me as gender-non-conforming for wearing dresses,skirts,tights etc. In reality I’m a heterosexual guy who happens to find wearing those items of clothing comfortable and I love the way they look. The fact that gender-non-conforming and the rest of LGBTQ is in vogue is an advantage for heterosexual men who like to wear skirts and dresses.

[Grok]

Just speaking for myself, when I was young I felt a need to fit-in and be part of the herd. I was indoctrinated into the Man-Box at a very early age. I knew it was wrong for me, but I felt that I had no choice. As we get older and near retirement age, we don’t care what other folks think. Most of us are married or in a relationship. We want to start living authentic lives after being controlled by the Man-Box for many years.

Yes, one feels less constrained in one's older years-except one constraint becomes more important. Running low on time. There are fewer years left to live an authentic life. So...now or never.

[crfriend]

The fact that gender-non-conforming and the rest of LGBTQ is in vogue is an advantage for heterosexual men who like to wear skirts and dresses.

I dispute that assertion, and the reason why was given above. It's the the ones on the SD Spectrum are using the skirt (and note that I am not using the term "feminine" anywhere in here) for entirely different reasons than straight guys are. The two do not compare well against each other because the thinking and symbology is different -- and the observer just gets confused.

Just because I'm wearing a skirt does not mean you should ask me what my pronouns are! (1) I do not get to choose those; those are linguistic constructs, and (2), the odds are that the guy wearing the skirt is straight vastly outweigh the odds of him being on the "Spectrum".

It is important to note here that I am most certainly not slagging off on those who are legitimately on that Spectrum. Quite the opposite. They have battles of their own to fight. Those, however, are not the battles of the vast majority who are plain old boring straight guys who just want a bit of choice when it comes to style. The general public, at this juncture, is not likely to see it that way, however, because of all the "thought pollution".

[Grok]

that window is closing rapidly. Unless the "straight" majority claim a stake we'll lose the opportunity for at least several generations.

I suspect that if MIS gains any traction (beyond a few mavericks), the selection will be very limited compared to what women have enjoyed.

Likely along the lines of what we have discussed before-plain, sturdy garments, available in "mud colors."

Assuming a few designs become acceptable (as viewed by the herd), a back lash might block further change for decades, maybe a life time.

[crfriend]

Assuming a few designs become acceptable (as viewed by the herd), a back lash might block further change for decades, maybe a life time.

This stuff isn't measured in lifetimes, it's measured in generations. A lifetime is meaningless in this context. One human life is inconsequential here. And we don't know how many more are coming. Perhaps none if the true hard-liners on this rock get their way -- we'll all go extinct.

[Grok]

Lately, I have noticed in online comments that some think we are heading into a depression. I have seen a prediction that the economy will take a nose dive like it did "95 years ago." (Which must be a reference to the stock market crash in 1929).

I can imagine people being distracted from life style choices of others by an over whelming concern about economic issues. Being more concerned about where the next meal is coming from than what others are wearing.

Leaving others to practice their preferred modes of self expression. On the other hand, I could see an increased emphasis on conformity at work, so as to keep one's job.

[jamie001]

incorrectly construed as a flag regarding sexuality where there is actually no reason for it.

It may be a flag regarding gender identity, but is not a flag regarding sexuality. A person can be gender nonconforming and still be straight. I am living proof.

[denimini]

incorrectly construed as a flag regarding sexuality where there is actually no reason for it.

It may be a flag regarding gender identity, but is not a flag regarding sexuality. A person can be gender nonconforming and still be straight. I am living proof.

The keyword here is incorrectly. It could be incorrectly construed as either sexuality or gender.
Sadly we can not correct everyone's thoughts, particularly if they don't tell us what they are. We just have to accept that our motives may be misconstrued and I find that the older I get the less I care.