Would You Ever Make a Guy Wear Eyeliner?: External Pressures to Do Gender

Abstract

Jocasta reviewed the agenda for her first speech team captain meeting of the year. On it was a proposal for new guidelines about “speech team dress and appearance.” She assumed the proposal stemmed from last year’s national tournament where there was a big discussion surrounding the ways the team members should present themselves to be more successful as individuals and a team. She thought, “I am dreading this meeting! I know where this conversation is going . . . and I really don’t want to deal . . .”

Jocasta still remembered the “situation” at nationals. After her teammate Laura advanced to semifinals, their coach, Conrad, matter-of-factly suggested, “Laura, before the round, make sure to put on a little concealer and eyeliner and change into your suit that has a skirt.”

Since Laura typically wore no makeup and rarely wore skirts, she had come to Jocasta to express her frustration. “Jocasta, I can’t believe he wants me to put on makeup. Where is this coming from?”