A gaze means to “look steadily and intently, especially in admiration, surprise, or thought.” The person doing the gazing can change how subject themselves view themselves. Social constructs such as masculinity are always subject to change, just as society itself changes. As more men become confident in who they are, they are also exploring other parts of themselves that don’t normally conform to the traditional concepts of masculinity from previous generations.

Since 3000 B.C.E., society has been creating various forms of jewelry. In very early civilizations in the Mediterranean, jewelry was created in the form of amulets or signet rings. During the Stone Age, shells were strung together and worn as jewelry. As time moved on and as discoveries of precious materials were unearthed, jewelry was worn to signify one’s power, whether that was in the form of social status or wealth or both. Men and women alike would adorn themselves in accessories that gave others and themselves a sense of who they were.

Jewelry has always carried much significance to the person wearing it. If a piece was made out of rare material, it would reflect on the exclusiveness of the person wearing it. 

In recent decades in America, however, fewer men could be seen wearing jewelry. Over the last few years, jewelry is making a resurgence with men.

Sheik Islam ’23 said, “Wearing jewelry really doesn’t change my perspective on what masculinity is or isn’t. Although it may differ for everyone, I believe jewelry is used to highlight aspects of yourself and has no connection to masculinity. It makes me feel more confident.”

“I just choose to wear metal on my fingers. I would even say that wearing rings makes me feel more confident,” said Ryan Yang ’23.

“I don’t think clothes or jewelry should be labeled as being appropriate for any specific gender. If someone who identifies as a female chooses to wear something that is thought of as more masculine, it does not make them any less feminine. In the same sense, men who choose to wear something that is normally catered towards females, does not make them any less masculine,” said Susan Ye ’23.

It is with these views that more and more people are coming to the realization that masculinity and choices in jewelry have been evolving over time. Gender norms are breaking down little by little, and even something as insignificant as rings on a finger can play a part in de-stigmatizing how society views others.  The essence of masculinity does not have one true view.

Gender norms are breaking down little by little, and even something as insignificant as rings on a finger can play a part in de-stigmatizing how society views others.  The essence of masculinity does not have one true view.