10 minutes with...Geert Hofstede on Masculinity versus Femininity 10112014

10 minutes with7 minutes read

Masculinity and femininity do not equate to male and female, representing traits like assertiveness and sympathy respectively. Societal masculinity is measured on the Masculinity Index and correlates with various societal factors, impacting everything from poverty levels to social media usage patterns.

Insights

  • Masculine and feminine qualities are distinct from male and female genders, with masculinity emphasizing assertiveness and material success while femininity focuses on quality of life, as observed in anthropological studies led by Margaret Mead.
  • Societal masculinity, measured by the Masculinity Index, influences various aspects like literacy rates, poverty levels, and social media usage patterns, shaping cultural norms and behaviors that can be traced back to historical contexts and impact factors like aid allocation and employer-employee negotiations.

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Recent questions

  • What do masculine and feminine qualities represent?

    Masculine qualities are associated with manlike attributes, while feminine qualities are linked to womanlike characteristics.

  • How are societies categorized as masculine or feminine?

    Societies are categorized based on emotional role distinctions, with masculine societies valuing strength and feminine societies showing sympathy for the weak.

  • What factors are correlated with societal masculinity?

    Societal masculinity correlates with functional illiteracy rates, poverty levels, aid allocation, perceptions of poverty causes, marketing strategies, employer-employee negotiations, and social media usage patterns.

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Summary

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Gender Roles Across Societies: Masculinity vs Femininity

  • Masculine and feminine are not synonymous with male and female, representing manlike and womanlike qualities respectively. Anthropological studies since the 1930s, notably by American Anthropologist Margaret Mead, have explored gender role variations across societies.
  • Masculinity in a society delineates distinct emotional gender roles, with boys expected to be assertive and focused on material success, while girls are encouraged to prioritize quality of life. Feminine societies exhibit a more balanced approach between family and work, contrasting with masculine societies where work often supersedes family.
  • Societies are categorized as masculine or feminine based on emotional role distinctions, with masculine societies valuing strength and feminine societies showing sympathy for the weak. Masculine societies emphasize God as powerful, while feminine societies focus on fellow human beings in religion.
  • The Masculinity Index (Mas) measures societal masculinity, with scores ranging from 0 (most feminine) to 100 (most masculine). Countries like Japan, Italy, Mexico, China, Britain, Germany, and the USA rank high in masculinity, while Arab countries and France lean towards femininity.
  • Societal masculinity correlates with factors like functional illiteracy rates, poverty levels, aid allocation, perceptions of poverty causes, marketing strategies, employer-employee negotiations, and social media usage patterns. These traits are often passed down through generations and rooted in historical contexts.
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