femininity

Feminine refers to a set of attributes, behaviors, and roles that societies historically associate with women or girls. It is typically described as a gendered expression or performance, rather than a fixed biological trait, and it intersects with but is not identical to female sex. Femininity is shaped by culture, time period, social class, and personal identity, and it can include expectations about appearance, nurture, communication, and moral conduct.

Across cultures, ideas of femininity vary widely. In different historical contexts, norms around domestic roles, beauty standards, modesty, or public behavior have been linked to femininity. Some contemporary ideals emphasize feminine leadership and professional achievement, while others foreground caregiving, family responsibilities, or traditional attire. The range of feminine expressions includes a spectrum from conventional to nonconformist presentations.

Feminine norms influence everyday life, including clothing choices, body image, occupation, and how individuals present themselves in public or private spaces. They can enable social belonging and care work, but they can also constrain autonomy and reinforce unequal power relations, such as expectations around sexuality, emotion, or appearance. The concept is not monolithic; many women and people who identify with femininity navigate multiple, context-dependent standards.

In scholarship, femininity is treated as a social construct and performance, with ongoing debate about essentialist claims. It is understood as diverse and dynamic, with multiple femininities shaped by race, class, sexuality, disability, and other identities. Contemporary discussions include trans-inclusive perspectives and criticism of rigid norms, aiming to broaden the repertoire of acceptable feminine expressions while challenging gendered stereotypes.