**Femininity and masculinity are socially constructed terms. In our age of growing gender non-conformity, their links to inherent male or female-ness are outdated.** - The important distinction between femininity/masculinity and female/male is that the latter are seen as biological identities, while the former are [socially constructed] (https://genderedinnovations.stanford.edu/terms/femininities.html). - A lot of the traits that are associated with either masculinity or femininity arise from [socialisation] (https://www.child-encyclopedia.com/gender-early-socialization/synthesis) and how children are taught to behave. There is [no strong scientific basis] (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00956/full) for the idea that things like emotional openness and sensitivity should be inherently feminine and therefore female. - Understandings of the flexibility of gender and the impact of socio-cultural norms on how we think about it are widening every day. With [the expansion of gender identity] (https://time.com/magazine/us/4703292/march-27th-2017-vol-189-no-11-u-s/), the idea that personality traits can be neatly divided between these two terms seems illogical.

Masculinity/Femininity is silly invented human bullcrap. And people should be allowed to pursue both, neither, etc. I will say though, femininity and masculinity isn't something I want gone. They have their place. I'm a bi guy. What I happen to like is masculine men and feminine females. i.e. I especially enjoy the more traditional expressions of gender. It doesn't mean I can't be attracted to a trans person (I'm dating a trans person actually, and they are SIZZLIN), but I especially gravitate towards these extremes, and mish-mashing the two together doesn't really do much for me. An obvious man in drag is or an obvious woman with a beard aren't instant deal breakers but just don't do much for me. You do you though.

**no one _should_ be anything they don't want to be, but people _can_ conform if they so wish.** - women are often taught to reject the concept of femininity entirely, since male interests are usually deemed more socially acceptable whereas things like boybands or makeup are deemed frivolous and insignificant. this leads to [internalised misogyny](https://www.google.com/amp/s/feminisminindia.com/2020/08/31/6-things-internalised-misogyny-ruined-for-women/%3famp) while growing up for many women who later unlearn it and thrive in their femininity as they realise they do enjoy these things they were told they shouldn't. - no woman should be caged and left without options. good feminism is about choice and traditional femininity is a viable option for the women who choose that path for themselves. the problem is when the choice is taken away, and not everyone has to follow suit and live the same life. it is not one size fits all as it is merely the product of socialisation, so some women will resonate with certain elements of femininity while others will have a different experience and that is okay. - [both masculinity and femininity are okay.](https://www.spectatornews.com/opinion/2017/02/masculinity-v-femininity-why-both-are-okay/) there is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to take on the characteristics of either, since by their nature they are social constructs and thus optional. if an individual chooses to adopt elements of them that is a preference and choice which should be respected. it should never be a case of an individual feeling like they _should_ behave a certain why, rather that they would like to. - in truth, no one can fit entirely into one box as we are all human, and that means we are in possession of both traits. it is down to us to strike a balance that feels right, so yes, women should be feminine and men should be masculine but also vice versa. they both should complement one another and no one should be ashamed to express either side.