Faculty of Design

Illustration

Miranda Belen

Grow a Pear

“Grow a Pair” is an emasculating term that promotes toxic masculinity. It also implies that one’sgenitalia is equal to their strength and masculinity, which is harmful and exclusive to trans andnonbinary folks. In this illustration, a young man is portrayed gently tending to a pear tree, orliterally growing a pear. He has rejected the expectations of toxic masculinity in favor of thenurturing, stereotypically feminine hobby of gardening, showing there is strength in beinggentle and caring.