“Just normal variations…”

[brionacmkw]

> Certain neurotypes that today get lumped under the term 'autism', seem to
> exist to directly counter that mass copying behaviour: they ignore everyone
> external to themselves, work things out from first principles using logic,
> or by trying stuff randomly. Questioning 'why can women wear this thing but
> I (male) can't' - is a natural side effect of this (they will also question
> many other things).

I'm autistic (& new here) and the way I think about things was definitely a factor in why I wanted to start wearing skirts as part of my casual wardrobe even though the trigger was for health reasons (an allergy to suncream). Why can women wear this but I can't was something I have myself a lot but then I realised yes I can.

[STEVIE]

Take all the freedom that you wish!

Or none at all. Because as a man, that's what you'll find you get. Every. Time.

I guess freedom is a double edged sword.
I have earned mine and intend to enjoy it to the fullest possible degree.
Steve.

[Faldaguy]

> Certain neurotypes that today get lumped under the term 'autism', seem to
> exist to directly counter that mass copying behaviour: they ignore everyone
> external to themselves, work things out from first principles using logic,
> or by trying stuff randomly. Questioning 'why can women wear this thing but
> I (male) can't' - is a natural side effect of this (they will also question
> many other things).

I'm autistic (& new here) and the way I think about things was definitely a factor in why I wanted to start wearing skirts as part of my casual wardrobe even though the trigger was for health reasons (an allergy to suncream). Why can women wear this but I can't was something I have myself a lot but then I realised yes I can.

Well, we sure could use a lot more neurotypes sliding in the direction of logic and asking "why can women....but I can't" and seeing the light -- they dang well can, because it is the most illogical constraints that have built the man-box. Good on you Brion...& good to have you on board the MIS logic train!

[brionacmkw]

Thank you, this community is proof we are not alone which is great!

[Kieran]

I'm autistic (& new here) and the way I think about things was definitely a factor in why I wanted to start wearing skirts as part of my casual wardrobe even though the trigger was for health reasons (an allergy to suncream). Why can women wear this but I can't was something I have myself a lot but then I realised yes I can.

Welcome!
I'm also on the autism spectrum and had exactly the same feeling back in my school days when I saw the girls walking around wearing a skirt.
Think there's a link here as have heard that autistic people are more likely to question social norms and why things are the way they are.

[Barleymower]

I'm autistic (& new here) and the way I think about things was definitely a factor in why I wanted to start wearing skirts as part of my casual wardrobe even though the trigger was for health reasons (an allergy to suncream). Why can women wear this but I can't was something I have myself a lot but then I realised yes I can.

Welcome!
I'm also on the autism spectrum and had exactly the same feeling back in my school days when I saw the girls walking around wearing a skirt.
Think there's a link here as have heard that autistic people are more likely to question social norms and why things are the way they are.

I have never seen myself as autistic but I have an autistic son with an echp and as a teen I found it very difficult to make eye contact and have spent a lot of time questioning social norms.

[yardstick]

I'm autistic (& new here) and the way I think about things was definitely a factor in why I wanted to start wearing skirts as part of my casual wardrobe even though the trigger was for health reasons (an allergy to suncream). Why can women wear this but I can't was something I have myself a lot but then I realised yes I can.

Welcome!
I'm also on the autism spectrum and had exactly the same feeling back in my school days when I saw the girls walking around wearing a skirt.
Think there's a link here as have heard that autistic people are more likely to question social norms and why things are the way they are.

I don't know about the autism spectrum (in my day you weren't tested unless really severe) but I definitely had the same feeling at school regarding skirts, long hair and even earrings although some braver souls did push the social boundaries on the latter two.

[robehickman]

I don't know about the autism spectrum (in my day you weren't tested unless really severe) but I definitely had the same feeling at school regarding skirts, long hair and even earrings although some braver souls did push the social boundaries on the latter two.

I feel that 'autism spectrum' is really a bad classifier. it isn't a 'linier spectrum', but an N-dimensional possibility space, a skill tree in a video game is a more accurate representation. What people currently call 'autism' is a loose set of neurotypes, vaguely related through having differences in social interaction style (google 'double empathy problem').

Autism is just a genetic neurotype that functions independently, less influenced by what society at large is doing, and tends to focus on one thing at a time (google 'monotropism'). The neurotype is a normal aspect of the human species that evolved for a reason.

People of a given neurotype tend to have a subconscious tendency to flock together.

That 'autism' is even considered a 'disorder' mostly speaks to how exceedingly controlling and narrow-minded society has become since the industrial revolution.

[Mouse]

I don't know about the autism spectrum (in my day you weren't tested unless really severe) but I definitely had the same feeling at school regarding skirts, long hair and even earrings although some braver souls did push the social boundaries on the latter two.

I had a very similar school days with the addition of a heavy Christian shame for my thoughts and desires from my family. However what I did have was a very independent streak and a certain amount of self belief, which carried me through my career of design and ultimately in to my own company. Until last year, I have never been mentally assessed by a councillor or psychiatrist and when I was, it was only to see if I was of sound mind to get a genetics test. I wrote about it here on the Cafe viewtopic.php?t=25436

I think I am just a normal man and not special in anyway. I know I have some mild OCD, but I can override that, even though it now tells me I am contracting MND(ALS), whenever one of my limbs has an ache.

However bottom line. I believe that all of us men, that venture out in a skirt have a certain strength of mind, to be able to do the free dressing we do.

[Barleymower]

However bottom line. I believe that all of us men, that venture out in a skirt have a certain strength of mind, to be able to do the free dressing we do.

I agree Mouse that it takes a certain strength of mind for a man to venture out in a skirt. Regardless of the reason for doing so.
I have often wondered why it is so tough for men to step over the feminine line. There are lots of small intrusions men make like nail polish, eyeliner, tights under shorts. The skirt and the dress are big hurdles for men. The question is: why? I do not believe men see women as weak and therefore by wearing a skirt will also be weak.

[Faldaguy]

However bottom line. I believe that all of us men, that venture out in a skirt have a certain strength of mind, to be able to do the free dressing we do.

I agree Mouse that it takes a certain strength of mind for a man to venture out in a skirt. Regardless of the reason for doing so.
I have often wondered why it is so tough for men to step over the feminine line. There are lots of small intrusions men make like nail polish, eyeliner, tights under shorts. The skirt and the dress are big hurdles for men. The question is: why? I do not believe men see women as weak and therefore by wearing a skirt will also be weak.

BM: It is not only the skirt -- it is the whole man-box thing: Most men are afraid of their shadow --if it is not an approved macho shadow! Much more frightening is they won't express emotions other than hate, anger, and rage (approved man-box) but empathy, sadness, tears -- God forbid they might be called a a queer.

IT IS that extra strength of mind that make coming to this site interesting; we don't get flame wars, death threats, or totally inane comments about our personhood. {I think the worst I've gotten was: "Are you in some kind of weird religion?" (Maybe she was having a flash back to the Hare Krishna's of the 70's?) Yes, it does take some confidence, strength of character to be "deviant" in any way -- thank goodness there are a few of us lest it would be a very dull and static world!

[Grok]

Freedom to wear what you want is not that much of an ask.

Wow BM, what a question!
Of course the answer is, yes dear of course you may.
Just as long you wear what's appropriate and normal and doesn't embarrass me etc etc etc.
Take all the freedom that you wish!
Steve

Yes dear, of course you may, so long as you conform to the confines of the Man Coffin/Man Box.

[STEVIE]

BM: It is not only the skirt -- it is the whole man-box thing: Most men are afraid of their shadow --if it is not an approved macho shadow! Much more frightening is they won't express emotions other than hate, anger, and rage (approved man-box) but empathy, sadness, tears -- God forbid they might be called a a queer.

I'd be amused by being called "queer", "normal" on the other hand could invoke my inner Hulk.
Nobody likes me when I'm angry, I think they are jealous of my green complexion.
Steve.