Journal of University Studies

Journal of University Studies

Perceptions of femininity: A phenomenological study among women from diverse educational backgrounds

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors
Fatemeh Torkashvand 1
Fatemeh Javaheri 2
Leila Falahati 3
1 PhD Student in Social Problem of Iran, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
3 Associate Professor of Sociology, Institute of Cultural, Social and Civilizational Studies, Tehran, Iran
10.22035/jous.2024.5456.1097
Abstract
Today, with the widespread presence of women in public arenas and in parallel with the change of their position, new definitions of femininity are being formed. Since the university is the center of gravity of social Changes, the purpose of this study is to know the perception of educated and non-educated women about femininity. For this purpose, a conceptual framework was developed by relying on sensitive concepts such as social identity, gender identity, rethinking, interactive identity, and hegemonic gender. In order to achieve the goal of the research, this study has tried to understand the perception of two groups of educated (16 people) and non-educated (10 people) living in the same area in Tehran about being a woman. The findings of this study indicate that uneducated women understand and experience femininity in a stereotyped manner and according to the concepts of patriarchal society. They live gender inequality as part of their everyday experiences and actively reproduce emphasized femininity. Although educated women are associated with a greater variety of discriminations and experience inequality in a systematic way, and on the other hand, their presence in social spaces brings them together with new spaces that challenge traditional definitions, but at the same time, they are condemned to comply with traditional norms and laws, and the necessary conditions and context for redefining themselves are not yet available for them. as a result, although various feminist theories and theories about the concept of identity emphasize the rethinking and modification of gender identities, the women participating in this study, despite being in the more general arenas of society, have not yet been able to modify and modify their identity and need There is more agreement and negotiation with society.
Keywords
Rethinking
Hegemonic gender
Femininity
Emphasized femininity
Gender inequality

Subjects

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Journal of University Studies
Volume 2, Issue 3 - Serial Number 7
Spring 2024
Spring 2024
Pages 45-74

  • Receive Date 19 January 2024
  • Revise Date 27 August 2023
  • Accept Date 10 March 2024