Society is biologically divided into women and men. Gender features consider the signs by which people are credited with the norm of psychological habits or behavior of both sexes. Are masculinity and femininity really synonymous with the words "female" and "male"? And what are the salient differences?
Biological sex
People differ physiologically. The features of the body shape the traits, body structure and reproductive abilities. However, in the social world, it is customary to attribute to each child characteristic qualities that are expected to be seen in the future in the norm of psychological behavior. For example, some parents who hold conservative parenting views want boys to be determined, brave, and strong, and girls to be gentle, kind, and polite. But masculinity and femininity are not just about gender.
When humanity invented the alphabet, it attributed the term "man"to all people who have a certain set of biological characteristics. Nature has created representatives of mankind with different physiological structures. But, living in society, it is impossible to protect yourself from all attitudes. This is how the concept of masculinity and femininity arose, indicating the prescribed social norms of behavior for men or women.
Social gender
Without professional surgical intervention, it is impossible to change congenital features. Despite the assertion, individual character traits indicate that anyone has the right to identify themselves as they see fit.
Societal attitudes defined the categories of masculinity and femininity, but their change was inevitable due to the passage of time. The prescriptions that were relevant in the last century cease to be unique now, because they do not take into account modern views. Gender gives an idea of the social field, determines the norm of behavior in society and how it is perceived.
Spreads male and female to both groups, because the qualities cannot be inherent only to certain representatives of the globe. So, femininity is not only the behavior of girls, but also applies to guys. However, social dogma actively promotes limits in character, dividing traits among themselves.
Historical formation: background
Evolution created two concepts, dividing the world into masculinity and femininity. Hunters were attributed to the first concept,earners who excel in tasks. They were engaged in the protection and collection of food in campaigns on animals. Large, bold, purposeful - such qualities were described by men of the past. Some features were added to them, such as physical strength, tactical thinking and courage.
The female half of the population, on the contrary, was engaged in household chores, collecting herbs for cooking. Ancient people believed that the main human instinct is reproduction, and therefore a union was created for procreation. Often, the leaders chose candidates whose beauty of the female body was different from the rest. Historically, girls were attributed tenderness due to the lack of pronounced physical strength, as well as love for children, housekeeping.
Creating stereotypes
The change of centuries only strengthened falsely idealized images. The representations that have entered the culture have firmly settled down, turning into a norm of behavior. Society's perception of acting outside of the box leads men to be criticized for expressing their emotions, and girls to be condemned for not wanting to have children.
Man is biologically a social animal. The cultural environment has formed in the minds of people views on what behavior is standard for an interlocutor of a certain gender. So, femininity in psychology is character traits suitable for women. They are reflected in individual personal qualities that are instilled by parents from childhood.
Popular misconceptions
Cultural perspectives onbehavioral differences continue to strengthen into adulthood. The most common misconceptions about men:
- Cold-blooded, steadfast and fearless.
- Have a logical mind and are practical.
- Pay attention to women, financially provide.
- Cannot cry and show warm emotions.
The female half of the population is not deprived of a range of stereotypes in modern society. So, the most popular of them were:
- Excessive emotionality, fearfulness, tearfulness.
- Irrationality, the inability to cope with exact calculations.
- Help men feel. They love children immensely.
- Romantic, airy and inspiring natures.
The above prejudices put men and women on opposite sides and cause more negative than positive effects. Maintaining prejudices reinforces them, which emphasizes disrespect for both sexes.
Gender differences: is it relevant?
Faced with a situation where a person does not fit the given framework of masculinity and femininity, the self-esteem of the individual may be threatened. It should be understood that each individual is a set of traits and qualities that are not characteristic of the rest.
In today's world, it's not hard to find men taking care of children or women taking care of the main family income and career. Stereotypical views on norms have long been blurred, because femininity is just a behavior contained inframework for the perception of society. Cultural expectations arose naturally from differences in size, physical strength, and the division of labor between men and women.
Traditional roles are no longer relevant today. The world is developing, allowing people to become free from prejudices. However, humanity, clinging to habit, has a need for established old roles as it fears instant change.
