I’ve realized that even as woman I don’t have a grasp on the idea of femininity. Any book suggestions thy explore this either directly or indirectly would be great. Fiction or non fiction. I want stuff that’s really changed your world view.
by Own_Glove6140
4 Comments
My 2 cents are that if you need others to tell you what femininity is to acquire it as a female, the concept is probably not as meaningful as you think
The idea of what femininity is varies culture to culture, given the fact it is a social construct. What is expected of women in your culture is likely different from what is expected of women in others.
I recommend reading about anthropology, as well as some feminist and queer theory.
I agree with the other comment. But if you’d like to explore some literature, give these a go.
The Second Sex – Simone de Beauvoir. Introduced the idea that “one is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.”
The Feminine Mystique – Betty Friedan. A critique of the idealisation of domestic femininity.
The Awakening – Kate Chopin. I loved this. Motherhood, marriage, sexual freedom.
The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath. sSocietal expectations of women.
Not sure if this is exactly what you’re after, maybe more around the cultural expectations of women and femininity as imposed upon women, than exploring what femininity is per se. Good luck.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Atwood
A Room of One’s Own by Woolf
A Frozen Woman by Annie Ernaux