Session 10
May 25, 2025
Participants: 4
Overcoming Gender Roles
「Body Image Through the Lens of Body History」
In our tenth session of the “Beyond Gender Roles” study group, we read and discussed Chapter 4, titled “How Have Male and Female Bodies Been Perceived?” from Introduction to Western Gender History: From Family History to Global History by Naoko Yuge.
We explored how the image of male and female bodies evolved alongside the development of anatomy, and how the education each of us has received has shaped the way we imagine our own bodies.
Anatomy and the Body
Before the rise of anatomical science, people could only imagine the inside of their bodies. At the time, bodily awareness was understood through language.
“The unseen parts are made of words.”
From the 13th to 14th centuries, the rise of anatomy shifted the authority on body knowledge from religious figures to physicians. However, even physicians could not see everything, so they relied on patients' descriptions of their symptoms and inner bodily sensations.
For example, when a woman explained her missed period by saying “a dog barked at me,” it reflected an era in which bodily occurrences were interpreted in connection with natural phenomena or animal behavior. There was not yet a clear-cut dynamic of “doctor examines, patient is examined” as we know today.
Even when dissection revealed the actual organs and their structures, human understanding did not immediately shift. For instance, ovaries were still regarded as female testicles for some time. The term “ovary” did not immediately emerge even after the organ’s anatomy was known, due to prevailing body perceptions.
We collectively reflected on how perceptions of male and female bodies changed as belief systems transitioned from religion to science and medicine.
Clothing and the Body
We also discussed the long history of gendered roles—women as child-bearers and men as warriors—and how clothing has historically related to body management.
“Protecting the genitals — on clothing and bodily perception”
With the rise of femtech in recent years, approaches to menstruation have also shifted. For instance, some people use menstrual cups instead of tampons. These cups are inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual blood. However, they aren’t entirely leak-proof in pools or baths, and their use depends on personal bodily awareness and lifestyle.
One participant shared that “in the past, when disposable underwear wasn’t common, women would try to expel menstrual blood while on the toilet to avoid frequent washing.” Another example was “diaper-free parenting,” where caregivers train themselves to read a baby’s cues to reduce the workload of diapering—demonstrating an active cultivation of bodily sensitivity.
There was also a discussion about menstrual pads. One participant noted that “due to concerns about the effects of chemical materials on the skin, more women are now choosing pads made of organic cotton or low-chemical materials, providing more body-conscious options.”
"Gender Expression as Accessory"
In an old anatomical illustration showing male and female skeletons, the male figure was backed by a horse skeleton, while the female figure had an ostrich in the background. The horse, symbolizing powerful yet controllable force, represented masculinity, whereas the ostrich—feathered and laying giant eggs—was associated with femininity and maternal imagery.
These visual symbols sparked a discussion about modern gender expression and accessories. One participant observed, “On Instagram, some women seem to display their children as accessories.” Another commented, “Men today tend to be particular about their shoes. It used to be cars or watches, but now sneakers are a status symbol.”
Others noted that accessories can serve a self-protection function: “Some women who live alone place men’s shoes at the entrance or hang men’s shirts in the laundry to ward off potential threats.”
Fragile Women? Strong Men?
We discussed how we have been conditioned to associate women with weakness and men with strength.
“Breaking free from the image of the weak sex”
Naturally, having fewer opportunities for physical activity leads to lower muscle mass and stamina. One participant recalled, “In dance classes at school, boys were taught to lead while girls were taught to be graceful and follow like ladies.” This was less about training the body and more about performing gender roles.Historically, however, women in rural and industrial settings engaged in the same kind of physical labor as men. This points to the idea that the notion of “weak women” is not innate, but constructed through certain societal performances.
Participants also brought up examples from the animal kingdom. In many bird species, males are the ones who display vibrant feathers to attract mates—contrasting with the human norm of women as the “adorned sex.” In some insect species, females are larger and even eat the males. In contrast, human notions of masculinity and femininity are shaped by culture, era, class, and politics—and they continue to change.
A participant pointed out that Japanese school education imposes gendered body conditioning in everyday settings. For example, girls are excluded from certain sports events “for safety reasons,” and race distances often differ: 1500m for boys, 1000m for girls. These decisions reflect a state-designed perspective on how bodies should be used and trained.
In reality, everyone’s body is different. Some people love running; others don’t. Instead of being forced into certain activities, individuals should have the freedom to choose how they use their bodies—regardless of gender. Reconsidering the “weak sex” image might begin by reclaiming our own bodily awareness.
"Male Emotional Control and Masturbation"
Historically, controlling emotions and sexual urges has been considered “manly.” There is a religious and cultural history of suppressing male sexuality. Masturbation, being unrelated to reproduction, was seen as harmful, and bleeding rituals like bloodletting were once used to suppress sexual urges.
One participant commented, “Women menstruate and thus naturally expel blood, but men don’t have that cycle, which may have made control a greater concern.” Another view was that masturbation could be healthy as it recycles old sperm and promotes vitality. In earlier times, though, people believed that circulating blood could help regulate emotions.
Participants also shared how boys are told “men shouldn’t show emotions” or “don’t cry,” linking emotional suppression to idealized masculinity.
Sex education in schools often covers menstruation and ejaculation, but masturbation is rarely addressed. Some participants recalled myths like “masturbation makes you stupid” or “it causes cancer” being spread among children. There was also a lack of conversation about female desire, with many women feeling isolated due to the absence of open discussion around female masturbation.
Notes: Danshiro
References:
"A Beginner’s Guide to Western Gender History"
Written by Naoko Yuge
Chapter 4: “How Have Male and Female Bodies Been Perceived?” — Body History
This book is a valuable introduction to how gender has been constructed across Western history, offering insight into how these ideas can be deconstructed and reimagined today.