Why is acting such a GIRL thing?

Question

Anyone who organises a drama group knows one problem is the much greater number of females than males.
What is more, if one asks 'What is the most feminine job or role'? The answer is very often 'actress'. To the question 'Is the most masculine role "actor"?' you get hoots of laughter and comments like 'Half of them are gay!'
Why is this?

Answer 1

The most feminine role is being a mother. There is usually more females than males, because in ratio there are more girls than guys. When I hear masculine, I don't think of an actor, but someone that is more rugid in his job,( lumberjack, steel worker) At least that's whats comes to my mind first, not that actors don't play the part, but it is only a role, not who they are.

Answer 2

Though I'm not sure I'd agree on actress being the most feminine job (although I'd confess to not having met any male actresses!) I've been wondering about the utter lack of males as well.

I don't think it's a gay thing, but I suppose I'd have to say that, having danced and sung on a stage with two rugby players; I rather think it comes down to selfawareness and pride.

If you have to perform on a stage you have to sell out completely. You have to make yourself entertaining - in other words you have to make yourself a laughing stock. I've met very few people, who actually enjoy being laughed at. The people I know who can do it, are the ones who realise, people are laughing at their presented character, and not at them personally. These people handle their situation by believing in their part to the extend that they don't care about how they are perceived by the audience.

I reckon men think "If I get up on that stage, I might jumble my lines or do something that looks stupid. Will people think less of me then?" which is what is keeping them from joining the fun.

I cannot explain it from a female's side, but I suppose if you're used to men not talking to your face and never listening to what you are saying anyway, the above argument becomes void.

I have a personal theory that goes that the men who are attracted to drama are not afraid of the humiliation that is inherently involved in performing arts, as they are people who have already suffered some kind of defeat in their life. This could also be true for homosexuals. For women humiliation is still a part of daily life even today, and so acting comes more naturally.

No, I have no proof of any of this. Just the thoughts I made, when I asked myself that question.

Your next question should of course be: How do we get more men into performing arts? And I can't answer you there.

Answer 3

I don't think the most feminine job is an actress. Actors can be very masculine, even the gay ones.

Answer 4

Originally stage acting was limited to men in a lot of countries, including England. In fact, men and boys had to play women's roles. It was scandalous for women to be on stage, and those who did were considered loose. This was true in Asia, as well.

In the fishbowl world of high-school, any guy who didn't participate only sports could be labeled gay, even if they later found out the captain of the football team was gay. Heck, even being in the wrong sport was enough to be labeled gay. For example, I knew someone who golfed and was called a homo. I knew ice skaters, gymnasts, dancers, and even tennis players who were called gay b/c they didn't thump their chests, slap each other's butts in the locker room, or developed huge muscles.

I think that our society allows women to explore their emotions and express them a lot easier than men. I know many people who were involved in drama, men or women, gay or straight, and the thing they all have in common is the talent to dig deep inside them to evoke emotions and to understand how another person would react in a hypothetical situation. You can't put yourself in an imaginary character's role and dredge up feeling unless you are adept at understanding your own emotions, or at least accepting of your emotions. How many guys would ever admit to crying even due to deep grief, let alone pretend to cry on stage in front of the public?

It's silly to think that only gay men are in drama (think of all the block-buster, testosterone he-mans out there - they all started out in drama, too).

Answer 5

i think that's the way it was long time ago;mens did the roles as womes because it was more fun and not all of them was gay.and most women dominates the acting role because is natural instinct and we female dont' have to fake; like mens do; thats why men tryto always act like females.

Answer 6

Acting, singing, dancing, being emotional and prancing about in funny costumes are all acts associated with homosexuality in men and they are all things actors do!

Answer 7

Osama say all women to stay at home help husband, raise children. 'Tis their duty .