Femininity

Femininity is the property of being "feminine". Women are expected to be feminine, and if they do not properly exhibit this property, they are punished. Femininity is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as "the quality or assemblage of qualities pertaining to the female sex," but scholars such as Sandra Bartky have challenged this idea. Barkty understands femininity as "a set of qualities of character and behavioral dispositions as well as a compelling aesthetic of emodiment."

Femininity is attained through "disciplinary practices" of both the body and the mind. Bartky uses Foucault's understandin of discipline to argue that discilinary "system[s] of micro power" instruct women on how to embody current notions of femininity. The feminine body is attained through practices such as taking up little space, behaving gracefully, shaving, painting nails, wearing makeup, dieting, and more. Feminine behavior is practiced by behaving as mothers, caretakers, and gatekeepers.

Disciplinary practices produce docile, feminized bodies and heavers -- bodies are a certain size, postured a certain way, and serve as ornamented surfaces.