Introduction
Let’s start with an experiment. Close your eyes and spontaneously imagine a “feminine woman”, without thinking too much, just what comes up on your inner eye spontaneously. Give it a few seconds and imagine her in detail.
What came up on your inner eye?
Did you see a female CEO leading a board meeting? Or a woman operating a space station? Or a female hockey player scoring a goal? No, probably not. Let me guess. You probably saw a woman in a domestic setting, demure, reflective and inwards turned, in a long dress and thoughtfully tending to flowers or preparing a meal or something.
Now imagine a masculine man. What comes up spontaneously in your inner eye?
Did you see a househusband cleaning the kitchen? Or a male nurse caringly tending to a patient? Or a man following that female CEO’s instructions? No, probably not. You probably saw some muscular, heroic hunk who was about to storm a castle with a loud roar, slay a dragon or some corporate hot shot.
So, spontaneously we seem to associate being “feminine” essentially with being passive, inwards oriented, demure, fragile, pleasing, nurturing and serving. And “masculine” as being active, outwards oriented, loud, powerful, dominant, conquering and leading.
