Jon Ayre

Salt Lake City Community College

Sociology 1010

Breaking the Norm

5/24/17
 Breaking the Norm

Define Cultural Norm

The shared expectations and rules of a group of individuals. Norms are learned and reinforced

within the culture and change across different cultures. Behaviors outside the excepted norms are

discouraged.

Define/Describe the Norm Being Broken

Utahs dominate culture only has two genders, male and female. Each with ridgid boundaries and

expectations not to be overstepped or confused. Even now when gender expression and the

gender roles are changing or being challenged there are objects or behaviors that are

unambiguously ether male or female. Men may wear pink but not pink pants of a certain cut or

fabric that accentuates their body. Women may naturally grow facial hair or sideburns however

not removing that hair is seen as extremely abnormal or undesirable.

Breaking the Norm Activity

I wore a distinctly female hat and form fitting clothing. I wanted to make sure the hat was

unmissable and unmistakably female. I wanted the clothes to be no more or less revealing than

the average womens office clothes but not necessarily gendered. I went to a Sutherlands (home

improvement store) in Rose Park and Salt Lake Community College in Taylorsville and spent

about an hour in each.

Reactions

The reactions were vastly different from one place to the other. At the home improvement store

men would ether make decidedly hostile, long eye contact or purposeful, kind smiles and nods
with one hilarious raised eyebrow from the female casher. I felt extremely uncomfortable and

vulnerable. I found it hard to unfold my arms or stand up straight.

At school, I found students less surprised in general. I felt far more comfortable and was actually

approached and complemented by one girl. It seemed like students and specifically women were

much more at ease around me and overall encouraging.

Why this Reaction?

The culture and norms were so different between my two locations its easy to see why the bright

pink floral hat and exposure of skin would constitute at least a surprise and justify a positive or

negative response. I think the more aggressive men wanted me to see their disgust or maybe be

intimidated to correct the abnormal behavior. While the men who would smile were at first just

surprised. The smile meaning less approval but indifference, which in this situation was of great

comfort. Maybe that is why they acknowledged my presence and smiled, to show I wasnt

provoking them. At school, I think revealing clothing and gender bending is closer to the norm

and doesnt stand out as much. However, still different enough to get a positive reassuring

response.

Expectations

I was mostly unsurprised with a few exceptions. I shop at the Sutherlands frequently, oftentimes

covered in mud or wearing gym shorts and figured this wouldnt be too different but found the

response was more overt than expected. Conversely, it was surprising the way women went out

of their way to show support or kindness on campus where I frequently spend hours at a time

without any interaction when dressed to fit gender norms. I also expected more laughing,

especially from younger students or from children at the store but both seemed totally unfazed.