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Black and White women's perspectives on femininity
Elizabeth R Cole1, Alyssa N Zucker
1Center for Afro-American and African Studies, Women's Studies Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1290, USA. ecole@umich.edu
Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology
|January 18, 2007
Summary
Black and White women share similar views on femininity but differ in how it relates to feminism. These findings offer insights into resisting dominant femininity standards.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Gender Studies
Background:
- Normative femininity is a complex construct influenced by race and culture.
- Previous research has not fully explored how Black and White women perceive femininity and its relationship with feminism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how Black and White women conceptualize femininity.
- To investigate the relationship between self-rated femininity and feminism across racial groups.
- To explore differences in perceptions of feminine appearance, traits, and traditional gender role ideology.
Main Methods:
- Telephone surveys were conducted with a nationally representative sample of 1130 women.
- Participants rated themselves on feminism and items reflecting Collins' (2004) benchmarks of femininity.
- Confirmatory factor analysis was used to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- Both Black and White women conceptualized femininity using the same dimensions.
- Black women reported higher self-ratings on items related to feminine appearance.
- Among White women, traditional gender ideology was negatively associated with feminism.
- Among Black women, wearing feminine clothes was positively associated with feminism.
Conclusions:
- Despite shared dimensions of femininity, racial differences exist in its perception and relation to feminism.
- Findings suggest potential avenues for resistance against a hegemonic concept of femininity.
- Understanding these nuances is crucial for a more inclusive and diverse understanding of gender roles.
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