Gender expression, unrelated to biological sex, is a touchy topic in this current age of isolation. We find ourselves disconnected from the world around us in a way that is allowing for so much personal freedom without judgement, yet siphoning off the human relationships that allow us to test these newfound freedoms, in a real way. Only now are we coming out of this dark, and as the social economy slowly picks itself back up and dusts itself off, I relish seeing the masses reconnect with their expression, and want to shed a little light on this idea we're all so obsessed with.
Femininity, as defined by the 21st century: "Qualities or attributes regarded as characteristic of women".
We don't exactly feel the same way. Femininity is not something that only women have the potential to display, it is but one of the universal expressions that humanity as a whole, displays.
Not convinced?
I ask you this then, have you ever noticed the subtle scent of bouquet in the midst of a 'masculine' cologne? That soft note that goes so well with the softer eyes of a gentleman?
Looking at femininity a little closer, it is defined as a set of generic traits; gentleness, nurturance, sensitivity, passivity, modesty, sweetness etc etc.. the more you have, the more 'woman' you are.. right?
Well, that all sounds fine, but when I put this logic up against the biological 'manly' men in my life… it doesn't quite work. Many of those men are gentle, and sensitive, modest, and nurturing, among other things. Does this make them women too? Or, are they displaying these aspects because that's what is most comfortable for a man brought up embracing their femininity, to any extent?
Unsurprisingly, Masculinity is defined quite similarly today as: "The quality/nature of the male sex, or degree of being masculine or manly".
Now, though we may not agree entirely, the 'degree' of which you are masculine, definitely gets closer to the bone here. Like the gentleman, a born to be lady, has the gentle guile of femininity, plus the strength and fire of masculinity roaring through her veins. What is one without the contrast of the other? How could we possibly go about understanding ourselves, through the lense of a singularity?
Humanity is more complicated than 'femme, or masc', these two expressions of oneself, are not singular. They mingle, and blend together in infinite combinations, to create a limitless myriad of individuals. Individuals that choose to represent the feminine, and masculine, however they please.
We have to remember too, that these are only words. Words that only help to give some understanding to the chemicals that form our emotion and expression, and one thing we all seem to forget is, that we made them up.
The only thing we really have to do, is embrace what comes, and ourselves. Forget about that imaginary binary on your personality, 'cause you just gotta do you, boo boo.