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 04:07 pm (UTC)I also love children (especially babies!); have chosen a very feminine career (social work); love girly things like gardening, cooking, knitting, and crafting; and I'm extremely empathetic.
However, I am also quite aggressive/assertive; fiercely independent to the point of shunning help/support from others; and I am intensely logical to the point of driving most people mad. (I can see the emotional side of a situation, but I am much more likely to adhere to logic and desire others to do the same.)
I definitely struggle with how people perceive me as a woman. When I was taking classes in the fall, they were all extra requirements outside of my social work program, and it was the first time in quite awhile that I was in a class that wasn't dominated by women. Whenever we did group work, I would take the lead, as I would naturally do. Even though most group members had no problem with it, and acknowledged I was probably the best person for the job, with certain men in the group I would meet this--resistance. Where they would try to talk over me, bringing up issues we'd already discussed or throwing out ideas that didn't make any sense when the rest of the group had already settled on a course of action. (One suggested by me, naturally. :P) At first I was just confused, but then I realized: they were challenging my authority. (Which is fine, I'm not a dictator: they just seemed to be challenging me for the sake of challenging me, and not because they felt they had something better to contribute.)
Anyway. People often describe me as a 'strong personality', which I find only mildly offensive, as it's often coded to mean 'bitch'. I'm not a bitch. I'm just extremely confident and assertive in ways that people aren't used to from women.