Question

2. How is femininity explained in the text, and how is it different from the biological sex, "female." Using specific examples, discuss why societies perpetrate issues such as sexism, double standards, and objectification of women.

Answer 1

Difference between Femininity and biological sex female:

Femininity can be defined as the sum of all attributes that are feminine or convey womanhood. Whereas the biological sex meant to be the biological differences ( such as structure of genitalia and genetic differences) between males and females.

Femininity is a socially structured word and society consider certain behaviours as feminine. Femininity concept consists of the set of behaviours , roles, styles and attributes associated with girls or women. The qualities or traits such as sensitivity, gentleness, humilty are considered as feminine qualities.

An individual with female  sex and reproductive organs, also with XX chromosome, is biologically female. Biological sex always consider the physiological and biological characteristics of an individual.

Society and issues such as sexism, double standards and objectification

Sexism

The belief that people of one sex or gender are inherently superior to people of the other sex or gender is called sexism. It is attributed as different treatment or discrimination based on a sex difference.

Double standards: The situation of two or more groups one of which is tacitly excused from following a standard generally regarded as applying to all groups. Female group is facing the negative effects of  Double standards based on gender from olden days onwards.  

For example: In US Women are getting less salary when comparing with men of same position. Another example seen: extra marital affairs or hetero sexual affairs of men are considered as no crime or less crime. Whereas the same activity by women considered as a serious offence in many culture.

Objectification: Process of treating a person as an animal or an object. Females are often considered as a sexual object. Female children who undergone childhood sexual abuse often feel that they are a sexual object.

Sexism, double standards and objectification of women are prevalent in most of the societies and culture. This may be due to various causes such as religious beliefs , cultural or ethnic belief. Certain religion consider women inferior to men. Some culture around the world view women as a child bearing object and house wives. Physical characteristics and Muscle power of men attributed to ruling power of men whereas women ' s gentleness and humility made them house wives and care takers of house and family members.