Performing Femininity
Jun. 7th, 2011 01:20 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
apple_pathways(Disclaimer: Dudes, I want your opinions, too. I know there's, like: two of you who read my journal regularly. But don't feel left out if it seems I'm only talking to the ladies!)
The subject has come up elsewhere, and it's been on my mind recently: what is femininity? Is it the traditional, stereotypical traits that have historically been prized in women? (And in whose history?) Has the definition evolved significantly over time, or are we still stuck in an antiquated frame of mind? Which qualities are absolutely necessary in order to be considered feminine, and which are optional?
Are you offended when certain traits, interests, or qualities are described as masculine or feminine? As for myself, whenever I've taken any sort of "Male or Female" brain test, I've always skewed slightly toward the masculine side of the scale. (Including when I took such a test in college as a research participant for credit in my psychology class.) It does bother me when people say I "think like a guy", but I do realize that when it comes to science, they're speaking about statistical norms, which I'm cool with, because I like math. :P (Even though, as a child, I got much more attention for my writing abilities than I did my mathematical skill.)
(If anyone else is interested in taking a test based on "male vs. female" brain science, here's a really good one from the BBC. Save it for when you have some time, though, as there are multiple parts. Though I do believe you can save each section as you finish.)
[Poll #1749763]
Also, I'd like to know: how well do you fit into (what you perceive to be) your culture's definition of 'masculine' or 'feminine'? What do you think of others who are unable to adhere to your culture's rules? How many of the differences between men and women come from biology, and how many are culturally constructed?
I'll provide my own responses once I've had some sleep!
The subject has come up elsewhere, and it's been on my mind recently: what is femininity? Is it the traditional, stereotypical traits that have historically been prized in women? (And in whose history?) Has the definition evolved significantly over time, or are we still stuck in an antiquated frame of mind? Which qualities are absolutely necessary in order to be considered feminine, and which are optional?
Are you offended when certain traits, interests, or qualities are described as masculine or feminine? As for myself, whenever I've taken any sort of "Male or Female" brain test, I've always skewed slightly toward the masculine side of the scale. (Including when I took such a test in college as a research participant for credit in my psychology class.) It does bother me when people say I "think like a guy", but I do realize that when it comes to science, they're speaking about statistical norms, which I'm cool with, because I like math. :P (Even though, as a child, I got much more attention for my writing abilities than I did my mathematical skill.)
(If anyone else is interested in taking a test based on "male vs. female" brain science, here's a really good one from the BBC. Save it for when you have some time, though, as there are multiple parts. Though I do believe you can save each section as you finish.)
[Poll #1749763]
Also, I'd like to know: how well do you fit into (what you perceive to be) your culture's definition of 'masculine' or 'feminine'? What do you think of others who are unable to adhere to your culture's rules? How many of the differences between men and women come from biology, and how many are culturally constructed?
I'll provide my own responses once I've had some sleep!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-06-07 12:03 pm (UTC)and I hate the show sex and the city because i share a name with one of the characters...
no subject
Date: 2011-06-07 03:55 pm (UTC)Look, i'm replying, as promised!
Date: 2011-06-10 07:13 pm (UTC)I can look 'girly' when I want to, and I think my small frame has people automatically think i'm some girly girl. And then I start talking about Indy racing or politics and they just stare at me. I also lean towards the masculine side of characteristics; my female heroes are Tina Fey/Liz Lemon, Jessica Hynes and Amy Pond.
I think the qualities of femininity have changed over time, yet somehow there are still unspoken qualities that society think is o.k. to assume (we must all think about shopping 24/7, we get together and diss men, etc).
Re: Look, i'm replying, as promised!
Date: 2011-06-10 08:10 pm (UTC)Yes, defining femininity is extremely difficult, and often very limiting. In general, I have no issues with being a woman: I mean, consider the alternative. ;) (I know, I know...bad joke is bad!) But then I'm a rather outspoken sort of person who expects to be listened to, and it's rather frustrating when I'm just...not.
Ah! Another Samantha! (There's another on my flist.) Samantha is a great name, though: you get to go by Sam! (I'm obsessed with nicknames, because I've never had a proper one. "Ames" doesn't count!)
I like how far women can bend the idea of femininity to suit themselves. Of all the women who've responded here, almost none of them weren't able to identify at least on major breach in Girly 101. And yet: women are still punished for falling too far outside the bounds. I'm really interested: what is the final straw? How far can you bend the definition of femininity and what it means to be a woman before it breaks?