What does it mean to be feminine? What does it mean to be masculine?
Being feminine is not just to be biologically female. Any human being can have feminine qualities. Traits such as being empathetic, sensitive, nurturing, caring, elegant and gentle are all examples of characteristics associated with being feminine. Physical characteristics involving femininity are being short and small, wearing makeup and wearing girly and pretty clothing.
Being masculine is also not just to be biologically male. Females can have masculine attributes as well. Traits such as being strong, protective, tough, fearless and brave are all examples of characteristics associated with being masculine. Physical characteristics involving masculinity are being big, built, tall, having short hair and wearing male clothing.
Generally females are more feminine than males and males are more masculine than females. There are exceptions for transgender human beings who may display more traits and physical characteristics from the opposite sex.
I really like how you explored the idea of how characteristics can be found within any gender, and that they don't need to be subjected to just males or females.
ReplyDeleteMeghan, I like the connection you make between biology and the social construction of gender. People often mix up the terms sex and gender. For example, are you going to find out the gender of your baby? You can't find out the gender of your baby, because gender is socially constructed. You find out the sex of your baby.
ReplyDeleteA person's gender begins being constructed as soon as it is born with the stereotypical assignment of colours to babies. I am completely guilty of this. My girls are almost always in pink or purple and I hate when people think they are boys.
You might find this article interesting. It is about a family who is keeping their child's sex a secret.
http://www.thestar.com/life/parent/2011/05/21/parents_keep_childs_gender_secret.html