How to Be Proud to Be Feminine
Evaluate your biases., Get in touch with feminism., Recognize that femininity is a social construct., Read about successful women., Respect all women, their choices, and their identities., Reintroduce yourself to some aspects of femininity., Find...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Evaluate your biases.
Why do you think femininity is inferior, or that people will dislike your femininity? What is, in your eyes, wrong with girly girls, homemakers, women who wear makeup, etc.? Be honest in your self-examination.
If you find your prejudices against femininity, you can seek to end them. -
Step 2: Get in touch with feminism.
Feminism poses the idea that all people have equal human dignity, regardless of gender or gender presentation.
It also covers issues such as personal choice, sex shaming, women in the workforce, and other areas that may be related to your prejudices or fears. , Pink used to be considered a boy color, and now it is supposed to be for girls.Heavier women were more valued in history, and still are in some locations.Femininity is not set in stone. , History tends to focus on successful men, partially because women had greater obstacles in education and work, and partially because successful women weren't given credit for their work.Actively seek out information about remarkable women in science, politics, sports, et cetera.
Read about all the women and see how they could be successful. , Value girly girls and tomboys, butch lesbians and lipstick-loving businesswomen.
Familiarize yourself with the notion that women should be able to choose how they present themselves, and none of these ways are bad or wrong.
Just because you don't like something (pink, makeup, bikinis) doesn't mean that the thing is inferior, or that women shouldn't use it at all.
Similarly, women should be able to choose to look or act in more masculine ways without being derided. , What girly things did you enjoy as a child, and what looks interesting to you? Experiment with feminine things, such as... "Chick flicks" Playing with hair and makeup Shopping Child care and nurturing roles Baking Sewing Gardening , Once you have tried them, settle upon the things you like.
Don't worry if they're derided as "frivolous" or "girly."Your interests are for you, and them being feminine doesn't make them less worthwhile. , You can bake while listening to heavy metal music, love fashion magazines and books about accounting, or kick butt at basketball while wearing a pink hair ribbon., Men usually like to do some traditionally feminine things, but might be afraid to do so.
Casually invite them to bake with you, watch a romantic comedy together, or let you teach them to sew.
Let the experience be positive and free of judgment.Avoid criticizing men for being "weak," crying, or doing traditionally feminine things. , Supporting femininity means helping those who are feminine (a little or a lot).
Challenge negative stereotypes against women, and encourage fellow women to help each other.
Instead of telling yourself "I'm not like other girls," try "I am like other girls—girls rock!"
It's unfair and not fun to be talked over,ignored, or treated as lesser.
Learn to be assertive and speak up when something is wrong. "Please stop that.
You're being rude." "Stop interrupting me." "That's not funny."
You are a woman, and you are inherently valuable.
You have your own unique skills and talents, and you are a worthwhile human being, femininity and all. -
Step 3: Recognize that femininity is a social construct.
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Step 4: Read about successful women.
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Step 5: Respect all women
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Step 6: their choices
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Step 7: and their identities.
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Step 8: Reintroduce yourself to some aspects of femininity.
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Step 9: Find feminine things you enjoy.
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Step 10: Blur the lines of gender stereotypes.
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Step 11: Accept and encourage "feminine" behavior in men.
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Step 12: Support other women.
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Step 13: Stand up for yourself.
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Step 14: Love yourself.
Detailed Guide
Why do you think femininity is inferior, or that people will dislike your femininity? What is, in your eyes, wrong with girly girls, homemakers, women who wear makeup, etc.? Be honest in your self-examination.
If you find your prejudices against femininity, you can seek to end them.
Feminism poses the idea that all people have equal human dignity, regardless of gender or gender presentation.
It also covers issues such as personal choice, sex shaming, women in the workforce, and other areas that may be related to your prejudices or fears. , Pink used to be considered a boy color, and now it is supposed to be for girls.Heavier women were more valued in history, and still are in some locations.Femininity is not set in stone. , History tends to focus on successful men, partially because women had greater obstacles in education and work, and partially because successful women weren't given credit for their work.Actively seek out information about remarkable women in science, politics, sports, et cetera.
Read about all the women and see how they could be successful. , Value girly girls and tomboys, butch lesbians and lipstick-loving businesswomen.
Familiarize yourself with the notion that women should be able to choose how they present themselves, and none of these ways are bad or wrong.
Just because you don't like something (pink, makeup, bikinis) doesn't mean that the thing is inferior, or that women shouldn't use it at all.
Similarly, women should be able to choose to look or act in more masculine ways without being derided. , What girly things did you enjoy as a child, and what looks interesting to you? Experiment with feminine things, such as... "Chick flicks" Playing with hair and makeup Shopping Child care and nurturing roles Baking Sewing Gardening , Once you have tried them, settle upon the things you like.
Don't worry if they're derided as "frivolous" or "girly."Your interests are for you, and them being feminine doesn't make them less worthwhile. , You can bake while listening to heavy metal music, love fashion magazines and books about accounting, or kick butt at basketball while wearing a pink hair ribbon., Men usually like to do some traditionally feminine things, but might be afraid to do so.
Casually invite them to bake with you, watch a romantic comedy together, or let you teach them to sew.
Let the experience be positive and free of judgment.Avoid criticizing men for being "weak," crying, or doing traditionally feminine things. , Supporting femininity means helping those who are feminine (a little or a lot).
Challenge negative stereotypes against women, and encourage fellow women to help each other.
Instead of telling yourself "I'm not like other girls," try "I am like other girls—girls rock!"
It's unfair and not fun to be talked over,ignored, or treated as lesser.
Learn to be assertive and speak up when something is wrong. "Please stop that.
You're being rude." "Stop interrupting me." "That's not funny."
You are a woman, and you are inherently valuable.
You have your own unique skills and talents, and you are a worthwhile human being, femininity and all.
About the Author
Stephanie Hill
Writer and educator with a focus on practical lifestyle knowledge.
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