Femininity 240059 225697404 2008-07-14T23:24:19Z Rjwilmsi 203434 gen fixes + link/fix date fields in cite templates (explanation [[User:Rjwilmsi#My_correction_of_dates_in_templates|here]]) using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]] {{Refimprove|date=June 2007}} [[Image:eye makeup.jpg|thumb|200px|In some cultures, [[makeup]] is associated with femininity.]] '''Femininity''' (also called '''womanliness''') refers to qualities and behaviors judged by a particular culture to be ideally associated with or especially appropriate to [[woman|women]] and [[girl]]s. Distinct from [[female]]ness, which is a biological and physiological classification concerned with the [[reproductive system]], femininity principally refers to [[secondary sex characteristics]] and other behaviors and features generally regarded as being more prevalent and better suited to women, whether inborn or [[socialization|socialized]]. In traditional [[Western culture]], such features include [[gentleness]], [[patience]], [[vanity]], superficiality and [[kindness]].{{Fact|date=June 2008}} ==Feminine attributes== The feminine is most often associated with nurturing, life-giving qualities, creativity and an openness to those around.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} The modern social stereotype of a woman is the complete opposite of a man.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} A feminine woman has physical attributes which vary from that of a masculine male. Furthermore, the psychological and behavioral differences that are considered feminine are the opposite to those considered masculine.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} These attributes result from the relationship between an individual's biology and the socialization she receives as a result of that biology. ==Feminine physical attributes== Some research has indicated that a number{{clarifyme}} of heterosexual men may be aroused by child-like smooth skin, big eyes, small noses and chins, though there are cultural differences in those preferences.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/lkellner/Research%20Methods/Cross-Cultural%20Perception%20of%20Attractiveness.pdf |title= |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061120012355/http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/lkellner/Research+Methods/Cross-Cultural+Perception+of+Attractiveness.pdf |archivedate=2006-11-20|format=PDF}}</ref> Some research has also indicated that a 0.7 [[waist-hip ratio]] arouses some 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.{{Failed verification|date=August 2007}}<ref>[http://www.uiowa.edu/~shcvoice/textonly.html Voice Academy: text only<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://wasser.sitewizard.biz/thequestforperfecteyelashes_.html Sara Wasserbauer, M.D. - The quest for perfect eyelashes<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Women throughout history have sometimes gone to extremes to meet exacting cultural standards of what is considered attractive. ===[[Cleavage (breasts)|Cleavage]]=== Larger breast size, a trait considered feminine, is suggested by visual clues, such as the cleavage between the breasts. Many women in western culture will emphasize cleavage to enhance femininity. They may do so by means of the cut of the outer wear, and by [[brassiere]]s (bras) that push the breasts upwards and together. Special pads and inserts in the bra can also be used to aid in the positioning of the breasts higher. ===Foot Binding=== For centuries in [[China]], [[foot binding]] produced unnaturally small and deformed feet, where toes often rotted due to lack of circulation. Small feet are still considered attractive culturally{{clarifyme}} however.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} ===[[Corset]]s=== In the early twentieth-century [[United States]] and [[Europe]], women wore [[corsets]] that restricted their movement and caused a variety of health problems, including shortness of breath, malformed organs, atrophied back muscles and difficulty in labor. ===High Heels=== Modern women often wear [[high-heeled shoes]]. The discomfort commonly associated with high-heeled shoes is endured for the visual effect of elongated legs. ===Eating Disorders=== Many women in the West also [[Dieting|restrict]] their food intake in an effort to achieve what they consider an attractively thin body, which in extreme cases can lead to [[eating disorders]]. Many people criticize the fashion and entertainment industries for promoting underweight <ref name="Britain">[http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=2450069&page=1 ABC News: New Message to Models: Eat!<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> <ref name="Spain">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5341202.stm BBC NEWS | Europe | Madrid bans waifs from catwalks<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>, unrealistic, and arguably unhealthy ideals of feminine beauty. ===Neck Rings=== In parts of [[Africa]] and [[Asia]], [[neck ring]]s still signify femininity, in rare cases leaving their wearers crippled and dependent on their [[husbands]]. ===United States=== In the [[United States]], [[film]], [[television]], [[newspapers]] and [[magazines]] have promoted [[dieting]], [[clothing]], [[makeup]] and [[hair]] products, as well as [[cosmetic surgery]]<ref name="boobjob">[http://www.beautynet.com/ViewStories.html?Id=665&catagory=Spa%20and%20Health&rec=8 Beautynet.com - home<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name="labiaplasty">[http://cbs13.com/health/Fat.Grafting.Breast.2.485278.html cbs13.com - Fat Grafting: Latest Trend In Breast Augmentation<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name="boobjoborelse">{{cite web |url=http://sheknows.com/about/look/7949.htm |title= Is bigger better? Breast surgery linked to boost in self-esteem and sexuality|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070607192851/http://sheknows.com/about/look/7949.htm |archivedate=2007-06-07}}</ref> and [[drugs]]<ref name="HRT">[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16397237/ Cruel price of trying to be 'feminine forever' - Second Opinion - MSNBC.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name="NYT">[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=9C00E4DE153AF936A25751C1A9649C8B63 THE YEAR IN IDEAS; Botox Parties - New York Times<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name="CBS">[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/06/06/earlyshow/contributors/tracysmith/main511360.shtml Throw A Botox Party?, Fun Times Without Wrinkles - CBS News<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> as ways to achieve feminine beauty. ===Domestic Tasks=== Feminine work in the West has traditionally been tied to the domestic sphere. Cooking, cleaning and looking after [[children]] has therefore been regarded as work better suited to women. ==Femininity in men== {{main|Effeminacy}} Femininity in men, as masculinity in women, is often considered to be negative due to its contradiction of traditional roles. More often than not, [[homosexual]] men are very effeminate, yet this is not always the case.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} [[Drag (clothing)|Drag culture]], often associated with homosexuality, makes a virtue of male femininity. <gallery> Image:Bound feet (X-ray).jpg|In China until the last century, some mothers broke their daughters' feet to give them tiny, unnatural feet. Image:Kayan woman with neck rings.jpg|The [[Kayan (Myanmar)|Kayan]] people of Northern Thailand associate the wearing of [[neck ring]]s with femininity. </gallery> == See also == * [[Masculinity]] ==Notes== <references/> [[Category:Gender]] [[Category:Sexual orientation and identity]] [[de:Weiblichkeit]] [[es:Feminidad]] [[fr:Féminité]] [[ja:女らしさ]] [[pt:Feminilidade]] [[ru:Женственность]]