I found this book an entertaining and fascinating exploration of the phenomenon, "femininity." I would like to start with the caveat that I just picked up this book in a used book store, so I have no preconceived notions of who the author "is" within activist or feminist circles. For me, this book was exactly what I was looking for. She explores the topic appropriately starting with a chapter entitled "Body", and ending with "Ambition". Each chapter is quite dense with historical references to trace current trends and perceptions in America - illustrating what is considered the norm and then referencing American women who either challenged or solidified this conception. She shares her own personal reflections as she has questioned her body, her skin, her clothing. I think it is these personal anecdotes that really make this book readable. They are honest and clearly illustrated how she has struggled to resist, but not too much, to live up to society's expectations of being a woman. If anything, I was moved and filled with pride to learn about the women that truly paved the way for the rights I have as a woman today. I did not appreciate how hard it was for women to evolve from restrictive clothing (corsets, long skirts) to comfortable clothing that allowed for freedom of movement. Often she digresses to make evolutionary comparisons to primates, other species. At times these tangents add color and a worthy perspective (I happen to welcome this sort of thing, typically), other times it is just a dead end, a futile attempt to explain human behavior or preference through evolution. Fashion, after all, really has nothing to do with survival. I was trying to imagine how this book would feel from a man's perspective. Since I have such a deep and personal history of trying to avoid being sexualized in clothing, a swim suit, etc. it was really hard for me to step out of my life experience and consider a male perspective. Overall this book can read a little too much like a history book, crammed with facts and figures, but in the end I remain positive as I found most of the information fascinating and it illuminated the topic. For example, I've often thought, what is the deal with long hair? Not so much in America anymore, but in India (where I happen to be living) I think I have seen 2 young girls with short hair cuts. Two! Granted, long, healthy hair is a beautiful thing.I was pleased to read about Etruscan or Spartan warriors being proud of their long tresses. If a woman's long hair is admirable, why not a man's? Apparently, it was Saint Paul who pushed hair length as a gender specific feature. "But if a woman have long hair it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering," he said. It is always a sad day when anyone is discriminated against or socially pressured to conform in the name of religion. It is tempting to just close my eyes tightly and convince myself that this is all behind us, and women are now "free" to wear what they want. Wear pants, men's pants even, or skirts or dresses, whatever you wish! But, sadly, it is not that simple. Female competition to get male attention still runs deep and I myself am discovering how fun it can be to comfortably reveal more of my skin. But, why? Why does this feel like giving up? Does a woman's appearance define her more than a man's? What are the implications of that? I'll accept and applaud the progress that has been made, but I think the topic of femininity should continually be critiqued. I admire this book and will look to read more from her - I look forward to becoming more knowledgeable about feminism in the US and internationally. Gender and sexuality are topics all too often ignored, despite how much they influence our lives.
Disclaimer: ARC read via Netgalley for a fair review. Thank you to Open Road.There is apparently a rule for the Olympics that can require female athletes to prove that they are, in fact, female. There is no corresponding rule for male athletes. This new rule, established prior to the London Olympics I believe, was most likely done because of the success and “controversy” surrounding an African woman who participated in track events. Apparently, her competitors thought she was too manly, read too fast.tSo even in the world of sports you have to be a feminine woman. Presumably a woman who transgenders to would not have an advantage. (But don’t women have better coordination or reflexes?) Or does it mean that being a woman is so desirable but who wants to be a man?tNo, I don’t think it is the last one either.tI was thinking of this as I was trying to start my review to this book. The question of what it means to be a woman (I refuse to use female. I am not an animal) is still raised today. Look at what happened in Australia prior to the recent election. Hilary Clinton was said to be too mannish until she was too emotional. I have lost track of how many woman hip-hop singers were first supposedly men because they took forever to perform some sexy video or something.tIt would be fair to say that in some degrees Brownmiller’s book is a little weak and does to show its age a bit. The Open Road edition which I read lists the original copyright as 1984. For instance, there is really nothing about women dressing in man’s clothes. In fact, men are more likely to be penalized or question if they wear skinny jeans. Additionally, I would have preferred stories other than her personal ones. While Brownmiller does give statistics and sources, I would have liked to see some stories from other women.tThese weaknesses aside, the collection of personal essays (for they do feel this way) makes a good companion to The Beauty Myth or Cinderella Ate My Daughter. The breaking of the book into different sections – emotion, hair, skin, voice, body, ambition, clothes, and movement – allows Brownmiller to explore the concept on various levels. Like Naomi Wolf, Brownmiller’s stories are largely personal, yet unlike Wolf there seems to be a more general feel to them (except for the curtsey story). The sections also allow Brownmiller to look at any conflicting ideals that exist – such as in the case for ballerinas. Her section on hair focuses on all types of hair, and the section about certain types of shoe and porn movie, while you might want to look at your own shoes (or your wife’s, daughter’s, sister’s). In many ways, perhaps because of the personal feel of the essays, Brownmiller makes connects and examines details that Wolf let pass – such as the connection between the decline of the corset and the raise of the tottering heel, both things constraining women’s movements.tIn her sections about hair and skin, Brownmiller looks at each aspect from both a gender and racial perspective. Her analysis in these topics stands out from those of other writers who tend not even to mention race when discussing the issue of appearance. It would be fair to say that race should also be taken in consideration when discussing the other aspects (in particular voice and ambition), but I wonder if this lack is due in part to when this book was written. What would Brownmiller say about Nicki Minaj? I’m not sure, but if she ever updates this book should take dress in terms of music stars into consideration.
What do You think about Femininity (1985)?
Ahh. Maybe like a perfect example of feminists worshipping masculinity and seeing anything associated with femininity worthy of being eternally trashed. Sure, it's rad to discuss the history of womyn's dress codes being enforced by the fucking patriarchy, but do you really need to follow that with moralistic arguments about why nobody would ever want to wear a skirt and all women should only wear pants because they are superior?Also, though there is a passing reference to female-bodied people not wanting to present as women because of being uncomfortable with having a "female" body, trans* analysis is pretty much absent: Or, it seems to be okay with letting AFAB peoples dysphoria pass as on acceptable reason for resisting gendered dress codes, while at the same time calling tran* womyn 'Female impersonators'. I guess this is just a feminist book about femininity from the 80's, and none of this should be surprising...
—Jan magdalene
There are many problems with this book: transphobia, stereotyping lesbians and gay men, summarizing of and speaking for all women, racial insensitivity, generalizing and bemoaning all femininities. Excellent points are made as well, sometimes in extremely specific contexts, but strong media literacy skills (the dreaded "critical thinking") are needed in order to process the book as a whole.This is a very important Second Wave tome. I've heard/read many people bemoan Second Wave feminists for demonizing femininity, for transphobia, homophobia, racism, and for authoritarianism over all women - but not having found any actual firsthand declarations (save for Catherine McKinnon and Andrea Dworkin), have had a difficult time taking such complaints seriously. Here it is! Reading Brownmiller's "Femininity" is an exceptional study in recent feminist history above all, in order to heal the wounds made by such insensitive leaders and to ensure that their mistakes aren't made again.I do highly recommend this book to anyone interested in feminist history - this is not for beginners!
—K Kriesel
Brownmiller offers a fascinating treatise on the origins and history of the traditional concept of femininity, distilling several thousand years of development into a slim volume packed with trivia. (As an aside, this is the book that taught me, years ago, just exactly what that whole footbinding thing really entailed.) Femininity works best in its first chapters, where Brownmiller has a tighter focus (body/hair/clothes) for her historical explorations. Toward the end, when the categories become less clear cut (emotion/ambition), her focus seems to slip a bit and her text becomes more of a recitation of personal experiences...still fascinating, but hardly what we signed up for. A somewhat dated but still intriguing read.
—Jennifer
