The word "journal" is supposed to refer to a more technical record, a sort of log. Diaries are supposed to be more personal and reflective. I suppose that macho nonsense would discourage a guy from actually calling his diary a diary. I suppose it's akin to "underwear" vs. "panties," but I've never liked the word "panties" in the first place...probably because of the "don't get your panties in a bunch" insult...you know, getting angry isn't ladylike.
Rules about how the sexes are supposed to behave have sociological histories which we could discuss for hours (I don't want to take us off track, so please don't go there), but almost-random gender assignments like journal vs. diary have always bothered me a lot. Over the last several years, seeing how very, VERY many parents dress their girls in so much pink (or pink & purple/lavender), as well as how many toy manufacturers push pink & purple toys for girls (and imply that they’re not at all appropriate for boys) has made me seethe. It seems to be getting worse! I’ve wondered where the whole pink vs. blue trend got its start, and since we’re already in the neighborhood, I’d like to share this for anyone who may be interested:
http://www.thelist.com/32342/real-reaso ... ink-girls/
FWIW: my brother looks great in pink, but it’s been years since he was comfortable wearing it.