In Judith Butler’s Gender Trouble, she argues that gender is not intrinsic, but learned and performed. I recently rewatched Ted Lasso, a show about an American football coach who travels to England to coach a Premier League football (soccer) team. When we think about the typical gender performance of masculinity, we think of dominance, emotional restraint, and toughness. However, Ted completely contradicts these ideas. He constantly rejects the traditional norms of masculinity and instead embraces traits that are sometimes considered typically feminine like vulnerability and compassion.
Ted’s performance is the embodiment of what Butler calls gender trouble. Instead of leading through a masculine model of toughness or aggression, he encourages his players to “be the best versions of themselves, on and off the field.” He openly expresses his feelings and advocates for mental health. One of the main challenges Ted’s character faces is his anxiety and frequent panic attacks. In season 2, Ted begins seeing a therapist despite his initial reluctance, and in doing this he learns to be emotionally vulnerable and accept care from others. His kindness is not portrayed as his weakness, but his biggest strength.
Ted’s influence spreads. Every other character in the show, especially the players, begin to reject what may be considered traditional masculine norms, and follow in Ted’s footsteps of embracing vulnerability. They advocate for each other, openly accept their differences, and talk about their feelings. Jamie Tartt’s character has one of the most important arcs in the whole show because of Ted. He starts the show as a bully, constantly picking on people who he deems weaker than him and trying to take all the glory on the field. By the end of season three, Jamie is listening and communicating with his teammates and celebrating their shared victories. All together, they challenge what it means to be a man.
Ted‘s character constantly plays with the possibilities of gender performance. He constantly shifts between humor, leadership, and kindness. He breaks the traditional ideas of masculinity and embraces a version of manhood that is emotionally intelligent and kind.