Changes

'''Femininity''' (also called womanliness) refers to qualities and [[behaviors]] judged by a particular [[culture]] to be ideally associated with or especially appropriate to women and girls.

'''Femininity''' (also called womanliness) refers to qualities and [[behaviors]] judged by a particular [[culture]] to be ideally associated with or especially appropriate to women and girls.

Distinct from femaleness, which is a biological and physiological classification concerned with the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reproductive_system reproductive system], femininity principally refers to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secondary_sex_characteristic secondary sex characteristics] and other behaviors and features generally regarded as being more prevalent and better suited to women, whether inborn or socialized. In [[traditional]] Western [[culture]], such features include [[gentleness]], [[patience]], and [[kindness]].

Distinct from femaleness, which is a biological and physiological classification concerned with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reproductive_system reproductive system], femininity principally refers to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secondary_sex_characteristic secondary sex characteristics] and other behaviors and features generally regarded as being more prevalent and better suited to women, whether inborn or socialized. In [[traditional]] Western [[culture]], such features include [[gentleness]], [[patience]], and [[kindness]].

Femininity should not be confused with feminism, which is the belief that women deserve [[political]] and [[economic]] rights equal to men.

Femininity should not be confused with feminism, which is the belief that women deserve [[political]] and [[economic]] rights equal to men.

<center>For lessons on the related [[topic]] of '''''[[Gender]]''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Gender '''''this link'''''].</center>  

<center>For lessons on the related [[topic]] of '''''[[Gender]]''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Gender '''''this link'''''].</center>  

==Feminine attributes==

==Feminine attributes==

These are often perceived as being associated with [[personality]] traits such as nurturing, life-giving [[qualities]], [[creativity]], and an openness, or yielding, to other people. The modern social stereotype of a woman is perceived as the complementary opposite of a [[masculinity|man]]. A feminine woman may have [[physical]] attributes different from those of a masculine male. These attributes result from the [[relationship]] between an individual's [[biology]] and the socialization she receives as a result of that biology. However, theories of femininity explored in the field of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_studies Gender Studies] propose that femininity and masculinity are essentially constructed or '[[performed]]' through a process of social construction.

These are often perceived as being associated with [[personality]] traits such as nurturing, life-giving [[qualities]], [[creativity]], and an openness, or yielding, to other people. The modern social stereotype of a woman is perceived as the complementary opposite of a [[masculinity|man]]. A feminine woman may have [[physical]] attributes different from those of a masculine male. These attributes result from the [[relationship]] between an individual's [[biology]] and the socialization she receives as a result of that biology. However, theories of femininity explored in the field of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_studies Gender Studies] propose that femininity and masculinity are essentially constructed or '[[performed]]' through a process of social construction.

==Feminine physical attributes==

==Feminine physical attributes==

Some [[research]] has indicated that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterosexuality heterosexual] men may be aroused by child-like smooth skin, big eyes, and small noses and chins, though there are cultural [[differences]] in those preferences.[1] [[Research]] has also indicated that a 0.7 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waist-hip_ratio waist-hip ratio] arouses most heterosexual men.

Some [[research]] has indicated that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterosexuality heterosexual] men may be aroused by child-like smooth skin, big eyes, and small noses and chins, though there are cultural [[differences]] in those preferences.[1] [[Research]] has also indicated that a 0.7 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waist-hip_ratio waist-hip ratio] arouses most heterosexual men.

These studies have led the [[media]] to speculate that these are [[evolutionary]] indicators of feminine fertility, although such speculation has yet to be proven. Long eyelashes or high-pitched voices may also be considered feminine by some heterosexual men in the West.[not in citation given][2][3]

These studies have led the [[media]] to speculate that these are [[evolutionary]] indicators of feminine fertility, although such speculation has yet to be proven. Long eyelashes or high-pitched voices may also be considered feminine by some heterosexual men in the West.[not in citation given][2][3]

==Femininity in men==

==Femininity in men==

Femininity in men, as [[masculinity]] in women, is often considered to be negative due to its contradiction of [[traditional]] roles. It is a [[stereotype]] that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality homosexual] men tend to be very effeminate, although this is not always the case. Drag culture, often associated with homosexuality, makes a [[virtue]] of male femininity.

Femininity in men, as [[masculinity]] in women, is often considered to be negative due to its contradiction of [[traditional]] roles. It is a [[stereotype]] that [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality homosexual] men tend to be very effeminate, although this is not always the case. Drag culture, often associated with homosexuality, makes a [[virtue]] of male femininity.

==Feminist views==

==Feminist views==

Although feminism is widely divergent, generally feminists believe that there are positive and negative characteristics of femininity. Many believe women should be able to dress and look as they wish and not be harassed for dressing in certain ways, or for showing [[anger]]. Some advocate female ownership of the 'masculine' trait of assertiveness. Others argue that men should take on nurturing roles.

Although feminism is widely divergent, generally feminists believe that there are positive and negative characteristics of femininity. Many believe women should be able to dress and look as they wish and not be harassed for dressing in certain ways, or for showing [[anger]]. Some advocate female ownership of the 'masculine' trait of assertiveness. Others argue that men should take on nurturing roles.

Feminine [[appearance]] is a matter of preference. Some women like to exercise, yet others prefer only to diet. Men also are not all the same in their preferences about appearance. Many men and women suffer from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_dysmorphic_disorder body dysmorphic disorder] (BDD) by feeling insecure about their [[body]] image. However, Naomi Wolf argues in ''The Beauty Myth'' that there is particular external pressure on women, regarding appearance, from the media and advertising.

Feminine [[appearance]] is a matter of preference. Some women like to exercise, yet others prefer only to diet. Men also are not all the same in their preferences about appearance. Many men and women suffer from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_dysmorphic_disorder body dysmorphic disorder] (BDD) by feeling insecure about their [[body]] image. However, Naomi Wolf argues in ''The Beauty Myth'' that there is particular external pressure on women, regarding appearance, from the media and advertising.

==See also==

==See also==

*'''''[[Masculine]]'''''

*'''''[[Masculine]]'''''

==Quote==

==Quote==

Notwithstanding the [[personality]] gulf between [[men]] and [[women]], the [[sex]] urge is sufficient to insure their coming together for the reproduction of the species. This instinct operated effectively long before humans [[experience]]d much of what was later called [[love]], [[devotion]], and marital [[loyalty]]. [[Mating]] is an innate propensity, and [[marriage]] is its evolutionary social repercussion.[http://mercy.urantia.org/cgi-bin/webglimpse/mfs/usr/local/www/data/papers?link=http://mercy.urantia.org/papers/paper82.html&file=/usr/local/www/data/papers/paper82.html&line=33#mfs]

Notwithstanding the [[personality]] gulf between [[men]] and [[women]], the [[sex]] urge is sufficient to insure their coming together for the reproduction of the species. This instinct operated effectively long before humans [[experience]]d much of what was later called [[love]], [[devotion]], and marital [[loyalty]]. [[Mating]] is an innate propensity, and [[marriage]] is its evolutionary social repercussion.[https://mercy.urantia.org/cgi-bin/webglimpse/mfs/usr/local/www/data/papers?link=https://mercy.urantia.org/papers/paper82.html&file=/usr/local/www/data/papers/paper82.html&line=33#mfs]

==Notes==

==Notes==

# "Interpersonal Relations and Group Procceses" (PDF). Archived from the original on 2006-11-20. http://web.archive.org/web/20061120012355/http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/lkellner/Research+Methods/Cross-Cultural+Perception+of+Attractiveness.pdf.  

# "Interpersonal Relations and Group Procceses" (PDF). Archived from the original on 2006-11-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20061120012355/https://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/lkellner/Research+Methods/Cross-Cultural+Perception+of+Attractiveness.pdf.  

# "Voice Academy: text only". http://www.uiowa.edu/~shcvoice/textonly.html.  

# "Voice Academy: text only". https://www.uiowa.edu/~shcvoice/textonly.html.  

# "Sara Wasserbauer, M.D. - The quest for perfect eyelashes". http://wasser.sitewizard.biz/thequestforperfecteyelashes_.html.  

# "Sara Wasserbauer, M.D. - The quest for perfect eyelashes". https://wasser.sitewizard.biz/thequestforperfecteyelashes_.html.  

# "ABC News: New Message to Models: Eat!". http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=2450069&page=1.  

# "ABC News: New Message to Models: Eat!". https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=2450069&page=1.  

# "BBC NEWS". http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5341202.stm.  

# "BBC NEWS". https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5341202.stm.  

# "Beautynet.com - home". http://www.beautynet.com/ViewStories.html?Id=665&catagory=Spa%20and%20Health&rec=8.  

# "Beautynet.com - home". https://www.beautynet.com/ViewStories.html?Id=665&catagory=Spa%20and%20Health&rec=8.  

# "cbs13.com - Fat Grafting: Latest Trend In Breast Augmentation". http://cbs13.com/health/Fat.Grafting.Breast.2.485278.html.  

# "cbs13.com - Fat Grafting: Latest Trend In Breast Augmentation". https://cbs13.com/health/Fat.Grafting.Breast.2.485278.html.  

# "Is bigger better? Breast surgery linked to boost in self-esteem and sexuality". Archived from the original on 2007-06-07. http://web.archive.org/web/20070607192851/http://sheknows.com/about/look/7949.htm.  

# "Is bigger better? Breast surgery linked to boost in self-esteem and sexuality". Archived from the original on 2007-06-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20070607192851/https://sheknows.com/about/look/7949.htm.  

# "Cruel price of trying to be 'feminine forever' - Second Opinion - MSNBC.com". http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16397237/.

# "Cruel price of trying to be 'feminine forever' - Second Opinion - MSNBC.com". https://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16397237/.

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]