Femininity
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The Venus symbol, symbol of femininity |
Femininity comprises the physical and mental attributes associated with the
female sex and is partly culturally determined. Some of these attributes can be traced to the female reproductive role. Others are rooted in the
socialization of a
girl's early development and adjusted throughout adulthood by picking up or reacting to societal cues. Feminine characteristics are sometimes expressed through female
gender roles, which can vary between societies and eras. Roles which are thought of as feminine change from culture to culture and generation to generation, the only constant being the role of mother. While there seems to be clear cut definitions of "feminine"
behaviour (for example, when a man is acting like a woman, it is very easy to tell), such definitions in
men aren't nearly as easy to quantify, and many conflicting views have arisen as a result, whereas the different schools of thought on womanhood are much more condensed and universal. [
1]
Traits that are considered feminine can be categorized into the physical (such as breasts, wider hips in relation to body size, softer facial features without facial hair, etc.) and the psychological, manifested in such things as a concern for relationships (sympathy, sensitivity, high language skills, receptivity) aesthetics (decoration and ornamentation of home and person).
Distinctly feminine attributes are hard to pin down, as are the masculine, because each attribute can be manifested in either gender. The attempt to categorize traits into strict categories of masculine and feminine has been the subject of philosophy, sociology, psychology and science for centuries, and is unlikely to be resolved satisfactorily as there are diverse views, clues, and subsequent conclusions about the matter.
The notion of feminine beauty constantly changes, and ranges the spectrum between the ultra-feminine
Gibson Girl of the
1910s to the
tomboyish
flapper of the
1920s. Many women take their cues from
film,
television, or
women's magazines such as
Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Redbook and
Us Weekly. These periodicals usually feature a glamorous
covergirl whose
clothing,
makeup and
lifestyle sometimes represent the current state-of-the-art in beauty. Some
radical feminists see the (sometimes
airbrushed) standards of beauty presented in women's interest magazines as examples of
sexual objectification. They may view these depicted standards as impossible for most women to actually meet, and these feminists criticize women's slavish devotion to meeting these standards as evidence of
patriarchal oppression. Many have criticized the fashion and entertainment industries for promoting extremely thin and unhealthy body ideals.There are also many that disagree with this viewpoint, due to the fact in an age when women hold significant sway in the fashion community, aesthetic virtue and competing for attention are still positivly connotated. They further argue that since women are the ones that are
instinctually craving these beauty products, women are therefore the ones driving this yearn towards physical perfection, and not a patriarchal opression
conspiracy.
While the purported
homosexual women depicted in
pornography tend to be feminine in the traditional sense of the word, the stereotypical "real"
lesbian is imagined as a rather
androgynous if not
masculine woman who crops her hair short and wears jeans and leather vests. In reality there are many
lipstick lesbians but they tend to blend in with
heterosexual women.
Femininity in men is seen very negatively, much more so than masculinity among women, though this will vary by location and culture. Certain traits and behaviors, such as interest in fashion and grooming, may be seen by some as feminine, though this has not always been the case. The common stereotype of homosexual men is that they are effeminate, with perhaps even exaggerated feminine traits. While this is true of many homosexual men, there are many others who do not fit this discription; gay men range from very feminine to very masculine. The effeminate gay man has gained wider acceptance in society, but there is still some stigma, especially in certain populations or locations. Even in the gay community there are many who do not tolerate effeminate gay men, and believe that they are affected and give the gay community a bad reputation. However, while some do exaggerate their femininity, most are only expressing their true personalities and therefore deserve acceptance.
In circumstances such as prison where men are segregated from women, a fraction of the population will nevertheless divide according to persistent female principles, either voluntarily or through coercion. An
effeminate man exhibits what
Carl Jung called the
anima, the subconscious feminine psychological factors within all males. However, feminine traits that society finds admirable or at least views as neutral in women (such as "womanish tears") have traditionally been viewed more negatively when expressed by men.
Human children are not the only primates to exhibit girlish traits. A
study by Dr. Gerianne Alexander found that that
vervet males, like human boys, prefer toy trucks, while vervet females and human girls prefer dolls.
The word feminine can also refer to:
* The property of being biologically
female* A traditionally female
gender role* The feminine
grammatical gender* The antonym of
masculinity* Things considered characteristic in
women* A more proper and polite word for "Girl Power"
*
Cat - For grace, beauty
*
Marilyn Monroe - for sex apeal
*
Mother*
Nurse*
Songbird*
Venus figurine*
Vixen*
gender role*
Masculinity*
Yin and yang*
Shakti
