Per the Oxford English Dictionary, the
word “feminine” pertains to, “having qualities or appearance traditionally
associated with women, especially delicacy and prettiness.” Some user’s tweets on Twitter.com, because
they are not required to be professional, such as the Oxford English
Dictionary, are even more straightforward, attaching the word “feminine” both
to their use of the color pink and to getting their nails done.
These definitions and attributed
actions to the word, and the word “feminine” itself, exist solely because this
is how the word is defined and used in every day life by every day people. While the definition of the word and the uses
of it may be offensive to some, it has become an accepted part of today’s
society. Due to this, most of the time
when the word “feminine” is used in conversation, no argument is raised and the
conversation continues without a break.
As shown by the users on Twitter.com, “feminine”
is often attributed to actions that a women or girl should do, and actions a
man or boy should not. In fact, there is
an entire wikiHow dedicated to teaching girls “How to Be Feminine” that
teachers the reader how to act, look, and speak “like a lady.” In my opinion,
it is unfair and cruel to separate the two sexes by what society feels they
should and should not do. It is limiting
a person’s potential by setting boundaries for their life based upon
preconceived ideas of people who are more than likely ignorant to the
situation.
Works Cited
@alexnewport_. "When your car shows your feminine side... Pink Interior Lights..." 27 Aug. 2015, 7:31 p.m. Tweet. <https://twitter.com/alexnewport_/status/637044916359663616>.
@badbt33. "I love getting my nails done :’( :’( I feel like so much more feminine after." 27 Aug. 2015, 6:50 p.m. Tweet. <https://twitter.com/badbt33/status/637034496294912000>.
"How to Be Feminine." wikiHow. Mediawiki, n.d. Web. 27 Aug. 2015. <http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Feminine>.
Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford Dictionaries. Web. 27 Aug. 2015.
<http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/english/feminine>.
Interesting to use a source such as twitter to provide a more unstructured, informal viewpoint that's more accessible and unrestricted than something like a research paper.
ReplyDeleteinteresting post, alex. I agree- attaching femininity to delicacy is very pervasive in society and is unfair to those who don't fit traditional definitions. I was always told to act like a lady as well, sit with crossed legs, be soft...and I hate getting my nails done! :)
ReplyDeleteNice post, Alex! I like your use of twitter. I agree with most of your statements and find this to be a well structured argument
ReplyDelete