Which term refers to the expected behaviour associated with being female?

Which term refers to the expected behaviour associated with being female?

• A. Masculinity
• B. Gender roles
• C. Femininity
• D. Patriarchy

Answer: (C)

Society's expectations about how women should act and present themselves are captured by femininity. It names the culturally defined behaviours, traits, and appearances associated with being female. This is the best fit because it directly refers to the behavior expected of women. Masculinity describes the corresponding expectations for men, gender roles cover the broader set of expectations for any gender, and patriarchy is the social system that privileges men rather than the behavior itself.

Society's expectations about how women should act and present themselves are captured by femininity. It names the culturally defined behaviours, traits, and appearances associated with being female. This is the best fit because it directly refers to the behavior expected of women. Masculinity describes the corresponding expectations for men, gender roles cover the broader set of expectations for any gender, and patriarchy is the social system that privileges men rather than the behavior itself.