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. Femininity is much easier to describe and conceptualize then masculinity. 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, wheras the different schools of thought on womanhood are much more condensed and universal.
Feminine attributes
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.
Femininity in the media
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. Many models and other celebrities do indeed suffer from eating disorders, and this may cause women, especially teenage girls, to diet excessively and develope eating disorders. There has been a reaction among some celebrities and women in general to reject the thin-ideal and embrace a more curvaceous figure, but the desire to be thin still causes many women to suffer.
Femininity in lesbians
While the purported homosexual women depicted in pornography are often silicone-enhanced fantasy ideals, the stereotypical "real" lesbian is imagined as a rather androgynous woman who crops her hair short and wears jeans and leather vests. In reality there are many lipstick lesbians (feminine women who are attracted to other feminine women) but they tend to blend in with heterosexual women. Lipstick lesbians are differentiated from femmes who are feminine woman attracted to masculine women (or "butches").
Femininity in men
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.
Femininity in other primates
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.
Other meanings
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"