Performing Femininity

[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!

Comments

[stick-poker.livejournal.com]

Without going into detail, I was born to mess with gender norms, and I often rather enjoy what that does to people's perceptions of me as a result, apart from the times when it's clangingly frustrating. I definitely agree that the differences between individuals are more significant than anything else, and that gender is a constructed thing, but then again, if we've bothered to construct it, as a society, it probably does something useful. Maybe it isn't so useful these days; maybe we will move beyond it. I'm glad we've moved as far as questioning it, being aware of it, and that though people still have to overcome various sorts of prejudice to do what they want sometimes, they're much less likely to run into a brick wall of 'you can't do that' these days. It's a thing to be aware of rather than a set of rigid rules, I think.

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

I often rather enjoy what that does to people's perceptions of me as a result, apart from the times when it's clangingly frustrating.

Ay, that's the rub, isn't it? As I sit here in my layered skirt and floral top, I can't say I have much of an issue with my own 'femininity'. (Good lord, I can't wait to stop typing that word! I can never seem to get the right number of 'N's in!) But when I run into someone who thinks that because I'm a woman with a girly demeanor that means I'm going to accept whatever they say without an argument...yeah, that gets to me. I can't stand to be dismissed, and I can't help but wonder if that's the price I pay for enjoying cute shoes and shiny hair?

And what's getting to me more and more as I approach my 30th birthday is how often I'm still treated as a 'girl'--talked down to and dismissed by older men. While my social conditioning has taught me to be flattered to be still considered 'young', my pride and intellectual vanity would like to point out that I am far from being a 'girl', thank you very much, and I would appreciate it if you would speak to me as an adult!