Have you ever considered the difference between femininity and womanhood?Recently, I finished reading “Hope in a Jar” by Kathy Peiss and often found myself stumbling over this recurring thought. The terms “femininity” and “womanhood” are often used interchangeably, but as I sit with them I posit that they have two separate and distinct meanings.
I define femininity as the physical and behavioral expression of being a woman. Whereas, I define womanhood as the attributes and qualities that combine to represent the adult female form. Though both terms are interconnected they are different. Femininity is the action. Womanhood is the guiding moral standards. For example, femininity could be the wearing on make up and/or high heel shoes. While, womanhood could be the inherent ability to nurture. These are just a couple of examples that quickly come to mind, but I wonder and ask the question to you: Is there such thing as a universal standard of womanhood? Femininity?
Researchers have long discussed gender ideologies such as the cult of true (White) womanhood, which posits that womanhood is characterized by the following traits: domesticity, piety, purity, and submission (Jones, 2007). However, I constantly challenge this position and wonder if this is actually womanhood? And if so, is this universal? But even moreso, How does this translate for Black women? Trans Women? – Because lets be real, Black women are unfortunately never viewed with the same respect as White (or any other) women. Historically, standards of womanhood were created by White men (to control and dictate appropriateness of White women) and maintained by White women (largely White middle class women). However, these standards quickly worked their way into Black culture (post-enslavement) by way of respectability politics.
In 2020, I think it’s time to change what it means to be a woman and acknowledge that femininity and womanhood take different forms and one is not better or more authentic than the other. How do you define womanhood? How do you express your femininity? I can’t wait to hear your thoughts.
Naturally, Alescia 