Of Norms

There are various social norms with regards to the concepts of masculine and feminine behaviour. It would appear that American concepts of the feminine and masculine are rather restrictive. There are many strict rules regarding such conduct, and any deviation from the expected norms are nearly certain to earn one the label of sexual deviant regardless of one's true sexual orientation. While there may be many variations of masculine and feminine conduct, American concepts of such are by no means the norm across the various cultures. It just so happens that American culture is internationally pervasive due to diffusion by the media and American ethnocentrism. Given the comparatively "loud" voice of American culture via publications in a common international language of English, this is not entirely unexpected. Still, the issue of culture is fairly interesting. While it may seem that long-held traditions are resistant to change, it has been noted that American culture has caused the decline and ruin of several cultures that have been established long before America even came into being. Similarly, American culture may be shaped by an emerging culture with similar abilities to override and consume existing culture. If there is a culture that can override millennia of tradition and development within a short period of time, there must be something highly virulent and superior about it.