Hearing Lana Del Rey's music doesn't transform a man into a 'performatively masculine' individual

In the heart of east London, resides a man who goes by the name of William Mata. He is a writer and SEO editor for the platform Opinion, a space dedicated to diverse opinions on current affairs and matters of public interest.

William is an avid reader, often seen with a book in hand, especially on his daily commute on the Tube. His all-time top 10 list includes the acclaimed author Jenny Erpenbeck and the critically-acclaimed film "Frances Ha" by Greta Gerwig. He has been a fan of Lana Del Rey for 15 years, and his CD collection boasts her albums.

However, William's preferences extend beyond the realms of literature and music. He is fond of indie artists like Clairo and wears tote bags. Yet, there's a certain label that has been associated with him, one that he finds rather unsettling.

The term 'performative male' has been tossed around, a label that refers to men who adopt specific, often feminine-coded, behaviors, tastes, and aesthetics. The AI assessment of a personality test he took labeled him as such. William wonders if society has not moved on from the days of expecting men to read Loaded magazine and blast Lynyrd Skynyrd.

He questions the association between wired headphones and the 'performative male' stereotype, and expresses shame about his record collection, fearing being labelled as such. He finds it annoying to be lumped in with men who carry a teddy bear.

Yet, William is not one to shy away from criticizing stereotypes. He criticizes the stereotype of men who make eyes at women across a coffee shop, arguing that genuine interest should not be reduced to a performance. He also questions the validity of the 'performative male' label, suggesting that it may be a limiting and outdated construct.

To contact Opinion, email opinion@our website. While the views expressed on the website do not necessarily reflect the official position of the website, they provide a fascinating insight into the life and thoughts of its contributors.

Hearing Lana Del Rey's music doesn't transform a man into a 'performatively masculine' individual