women are allowed to "raise their status" by entering male occupations, such behavior can easily be rationalized cn motivations for "success". And interestingly enough, our prized male occupations such as law and medicine are precisely those that rest on the highest cerebral skills, in contrast to the mechanical biological functions traditi onally assigned women in the past.
In relation to modern feminine freedom, there is no freedom as obvious and diversified as that of dress. In fact, as styles go, women are the initiators and rebels, who pride themselves on uniqueness, in contrast to our drab male conformity. With such diversity
as now known, there can be a complete spectrum in mannerisms from the "frilly"right down to the obviously tailored.
A third factor to be accounted for is the so-called "recent sex reversal". One needs only to remember the costume of George Washington's time to gain a perspective on this. Perhaps, in view of the modern plainess in garb for both sexes, this could be more rightly termed a "revolt from discomfort". Paralleling the male revolt from skin-tight breeches and strangling collars, women have cast aside the equally restraining corset, the impeding hoop-skirts and, in part, the tottering high-heeled shoes. In this age of professional leisure, ease and casuality have become the keynote. And the automobile is rapidly replacing woman's costume as a means of pecuniary emulation.
DEFENSIVE TRANSVESTISM
There have been many accounts concerning the origins of transvestism in women, but few that explain its continuation. A typical genetic explanation cites such reasons as "father-identification", "sibling rivalry", or "she was raised like a boy". A sociologist frequently terms transvestism as the "special symbol of an isolated and highly underprivileged cult".
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