aro0823, cixous

Being our first female writer, I felt a bond to Cixous that I did not experience when I was reading the other theorists. She made some interesting points that related to Derrida in terms of the prevalence of binary oppositions. Right on the first page of the text there is a solid line with the word “man” on the top, naturally asserting dominance over the weaker part of the binary, “woman.”
In CMC 200, we recently discussed the trap of masculinity—how males, since birth, are compelled to assert dominance over their terrain and be better, richer, and stronger than their female counterparts. Cixous poses the question that we often fail to consider in everyday discourse: why does man fear being a woman (159)? In answer to this question, Cixous states that it is because of the inherent desire to reinforce his phallocentric narcissism. Our society tells the insecure man that he will never be good enough, no matter how much work he puts in it will never be enough. He “is always proving something; he has to ‘show off’” (161). Being female, that seems to require a lot of effort.
Thus, employing a feminist lens, I would like to really ask why men fear being women? Women do not require a life “gravitate[d] around the penis,” but rather care about broader and deeper issues, their “consciouses are worldwide” (163). Women do not live in constant fear being usurped and can thus focus on more important things than, excuse my colloquialism, outlandish dick waving to prove their superiority. If we did not live in such a dominating culture, I would argue that we as a society could be far more productive. Women are naturally inclined toward cooperation and thus consider far more perspectives when making decisions. Thus, if men would adopt a more feminine style of leadership, not only would they ultimately be more successful in living harmoniously, but could essentially relax and take a break from their need to reassert their dominance every moment of every day.