I was eating breakfast with a few friends (has anyone ever made the observation of how similar Reese's Puffs look to dog food?) and we were talking about someone's Adolescent Lit class. They're reading "Are you there, God? It's me, Margaret", which is essentially a preteen bemoaning the late coming of adolescence. Someone at the table mentioned how all of the guys in the class must feel embarrassed to read this book, and I was thinking.... why?
What makes a book an exclusively "girls'" book or exclusively "guys'" book? True, the aforementioned book does discuss many feminine issues, but there's no reason that males can’t get something out of it or enjoy reading it. There seems to be a weird standard or expectation when it comes to things like books (and movies, clothes, and many others). I mean, it appears to be perfectly "acceptable" for girls to enjoy and/or be obsessed with Lord of the Rings, James Bond books/films, etc, whereas if you reverse the gender roles, it’s thought of as uncomfortable or odd.
This is in no way a blanket statement though. I know that some men are manly enough to proclaim, “Yes! I do enjoy a romantic comedy every now and then!”. This stereotype is being reversed even as I type. However, it still exists.
On a side note, I enjoy frolicking in forests, especially in the winter time while it is snowing. Imagine though, if your school decides to grow a new deciduous forest on campus. How would you frolic through baby trees? 
One cannot.
-Emily
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