While I try to be mindful to not turn my fics into a political soapbox or whatever, I have addressed the issue of "social standards" and people's attitudes towards it in some of my fics. I've addressed the issue of "musical tastes" in other topics - so I'll just address other issues that are sometimes thought of as "abnormal" or "bizarre", even though they don't harm anyone.

1. boys playing with dolls
2. boys wearing pink
3. adults watching cartoons
4. adults reading children's books
5. eating breakfast cereal without milk in it
6. eating whipped cream by itself

The list can go on, and you can feel free to add more examples to the list. I don't believe that there is anything inherently wrong or immoral about anything on the list, and I think society would actually be a much better place - if more of us just took a "live and let live" approach.

What are some things you do that might be seen as "aberrant" by other people? Do you think something is only inherently wrong or immoral, if it causes harm to another person?

I ate breakfast cereal without milk my whole life. And I watch cartoons, even though I'm 20.

-Girls and Boys being best friends

Thats the only one I have but ARGH it drives me nuts. When people are like "So, your dating?" and I'm always like "Nope, just friends" and then everyone present gives me the weirdest looks. I don't see why it isn't possible!?

I completely agree that males and females can be good friends without going out. It sometimes could turn into a romantic relationship, but that's not always the case.

-Straight men liking musicals
-Men shopping and enjoying it
-Women liking monster truck shows
-Boys liking boy bands

Here are some more:

* Women who like sports (even though they're not judged as harshly as men who like shopping)
* Women who don't like shopping (that's me)
* Women who dress for comfort instead of style (that's also me)
* Men who don't like sports (I don't like sports or shopping)
* Women who like heavy metal
* Men who like pop music
* Women who like action movies
* Men who like chick flicks
* Men who are vegetarians

Of course, there's plenty on non-gender-related ones, too.

I remember one time I was driving my Nissan 300ZX and my dad was in the passenger seat, (oh and i had to lightly rev my engine at stops so it wouldn't stall) and one time this guy beside me tried to race me, and so my dad got really angry with me....

I guess what i'm trying to get at is this... just because I have a sports car doesn't mean I'm a fast reckless driver!

*Men who don't like sex
*Women who openly like sex
*Women who don't wear make-up
*Men who like Romance novels.

No Roads makes a very good point, about how we're so quick to stereotype people.

I can't say that I myself am into sex, but I don't wear make-up. It actually only takes me about 15 minutes to get ready in the morning, including taking a bath. I think it kind of goes along with how women are expected to like shopping, so they're also expected to take about two hours getting ready in the morning.

In the plus side, though - fleece does seem to be becoming more popular. So I think there are people who are starting to appreciate comfort a little more. I wear fleece all the time, and I don't really care what other people say.

While fleece is comfortable, I'm not exactly a big fan. Fleece often gets dust caught on.

Well, that's true! There are some disadvantages that come with fleece.

It seems like a lot of what we've listed deals with gender roles, even though there was also the whole age thing. When I was a kid, I didn't really listen to children's music. I just listened to whatever my mother had on the radio, so a lot of songs from the early '80s bing back memories of my childhood. I guess it's kind of ironic - since, even now, I can appreciate certain cartoons and children's books.

Someone made a good point at the other board about how maturity is about you act in various situations, and not about your choice of hobbies and interests. It seems like too many people just don't understand that.