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Although biological differences might underpin some of these differences, a lot of it is undeniably cultural. In some African tribal cultures, for instance, it is the women who are associated with being boisterous, making crude jokes and swearing.
I've heard that say, Northern European women are less 'girly', wear less makeup, and act less stereotypically 'feminine' than say Southern Europeans, then again Southern Europeans are also very feisty. Still, it seems there's less of a 'macho male/dolled up female' in the Nordic countries vs Southern and Eastern Europe.
In some ways, the US and Australia seem between them. Maybe it's the fact there's still a tendency for males and females to hang out in groups even into adulthood. Maybe Canada is less so? Dunno about the UK, it seems to vary.
In Asia, girls seem feminine but I guess people there sometimes seem a bit more 'androgynous.'
In more traditional societies I guess the differences are great but women aren't as likely to act like ditzy princesses.
I've heard that say, Northern European women are less 'girly', wear less makeup, and act less stereotypically 'feminine' than say Southern Europeans, then again Southern Europeans are also very feisty.
I guess the stereotypical 'feminine', wearing more gender-specific clothes, wearing 'girly' clothes, liking pink, but also acting sort of fey/coy, being more into stereotypical 'female' interests, not being as into stereotypical 'male' interests...
I guess the stereotypical 'feminine', wearing more gender-specific clothes, wearing 'girly' clothes, liking pink, but also acting sort of fey/coy, being more into stereotypical 'female' interests, not being as into stereotypical 'male' interests...
All right. That is a very stereotypical view of feminine, but whatever.
You specifically mentioned the Nordic Countries that women here are very masculine or not-feminine. But that isn't true. Women are as feminine as they want to be, but don't always show it in the same way women from some other countries do. Equality has a very long history here, stemming all the way from the medieval ages. Expect for maybe in the church, the Victorian era and the 50's women were more equal to men to begin with than in many other regions, meaning that they were also more easily liberated. And as we are not huge on social norms, you can be pretty much as you damn please, and don't have to give any fake impression because the norms expects you to do so. You don't have to pretend anything, and women have for long, hundreds of years in fact, expected to be strong independent types, and not only subjects of their husbands. In this rather harsh climate and sparse population it was simply not possible to exclude half of the population from anything.
Women are still feminine here, they haven't "lost" anything. All my girlfriends have been strong, independent clever women, mostly because I'm attracted to that kind of personality. But they still shared the same traits as in the Grand Book of Stereotypes. Being coy, giggling little girls at times, wearing skirts, like flowers, small surprise gifts and other 'girly' things. But neither have they had a problem with changing car tyres, curse a lot, or being firm and uncompromising when needed, and definitely didn't take much crap from anyone.
In clothing, yes, there you see a difference. Women tend to dress more practical in general rather than feminine, but you see people wearing anything from mini-skirts to hoodies. And I truly feel sorry for those Russian ladies wearing 10cm heels on a icy Helsinki cobble stone street in January. We tend to think it's just stupid and difficult.
All right. That is a very stereotypical view of feminine, but whatever.
You specifically mentioned the Nordic Countries that women here are very masculine or not-feminine. But that isn't true. Women are as feminine as they want to be, but don't always show it in the same way women from some other countries do. Equality has a very long history here, stemming all the way from the medieval ages. Expect for maybe in the church, the Victorian era and the 50's women were more equal to men to begin with than in many other regions, meaning that they were also more easily liberated. And as we are not huge on social norms, you can be pretty much as you damn please, and don't have to give any fake impression because the norms expects you to do so. You don't have to pretend anything, and women have for long, hundreds of years in fact, expected to be strong independent types, and not only subjects of their husbands. In this rather harsh climate and sparse population it was simply not possible to exclude half of the population from anything.
Women are still feminine here, they haven't "lost" anything. All my girlfriends have been strong, independent clever women, mostly because I'm attracted to that kind of personality. But they still shared the same traits as in the Grand Book of Stereotypes. Being coy, giggling little girls at times, wearing skirts, like flowers, small surprise gifts and other 'girly' things. But neither have they had a problem with changing car tyres, curse a lot, or being firm and uncompromising when needed, and definitely didn't take much crap from anyone.
In clothing, yes, there you see a difference. Women tend to dress more practical in general rather than feminine, but you see people wearing anything from mini-skirts to hoodies. And I truly feel sorry for those Russian ladies wearing 10cm heels on a icy Helsinki cobble stone street in January. We tend to think it's just stupid and difficult.
In North America (US and Canada at least), men do generally seem to fit the traditionally gendered behaviour. They are socially conditioned to act or appreciate things that are manly, like sports (football and ice hockey), gymming and eating fast food (which helps them gain bulk).
American media especially emphasizes on the image of the ideal man as masculine, muscular, fit and manly. The androgynous ones are usually sidelined or made fun of.
In Japan and South Korea, men tend to be slightly more feminine-like or soft. Not only do they dress well and stylish, but they also make the effort to ensure their hair and facial features look good. Japanese (and to a lesser extent, Korean) men are supposedly less sporty and fit than their American counterparts.
The "pretty boys" represent part of the trend in Japanese and (to a lesser extent, Korean) pop culture.
Last edited by fellowjoe; 07-16-2014 at 06:39 PM..
Most gendered? I haven't been to all 190+ countries of the world (not even close) but I'd pick: Japan, France and Italy. (When people of either gender bother to dress up, that is... everyone looks androgynous if they happen to be wearing jeans and t-shirts.)
Least gendered: I'd actually pick the U.S. (more people comfortable expressing their individuality in fashion), and perhaps indigenous peoples in Brazil.
Except gender-specific pronouns, which Finnish (along with Asian languages) doesn't have.
It's cute when Finns speaking English get "he" and "she" mixed up.
They weren't there to begin with. And like our language wouldn't be difficult enough without them.
But as to my previous post, for example in education there's still a huge gender inequality. A female engineer is still rare and there's a chronic lack of male teachers here.
They weren't there to begin with. And like our language wouldn't be difficult enough without them.
But as to my previous post, for example in education there's still a huge gender inequality. A female engineer is still rare and there's a chronic lack of male teachers here.
Female engineers, mathematicians, and also construction workers, are commoner in China and Southeast Asia versus the West.
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applause! 
