When women behave like men (social mores)
Although often ignored in discussions of masculinity, women can also express masculine traits and behaviours. In Western culture, female masculinity has been codified into identities such as "tomboy" and "butch". Although female masculinity is often associated with lesbianism, expressing masculinity is not necessarily related to a woman's sexuality. In feminist philosophy, female masculinity is often characterized as a type of gender performance which challenges traditional masculinity and male dominance. Zachary A. Kramer argues that the discussion of masculinity should be opened up "to include constructions of masculinity that uniquely affect women." Masculine women are often subject to social stigma and harassment, although the influence of the feminist movement has led to greater acceptance of women expressing masculinity in recent decades.
Historical examples of women expressing masculine traits through physical prowess and military command exist across cultures. In imperial China, Qin Liangyu (1574–1648) was recorded in the Mingshi (History of Ming) as proficient in archery, horsemanship, and spear-fighting. She designed and trained the White Pole Army, an elite infantry force named for their distinctive white waxwood spears, adapted for mountain warfare with a hook for slashing and a metal ring for striking, and capable of being linked together as climbing ladders. She commanded this force in over thirty campaigns against both internal rebellions and Manchu invasion forces, continuing to lead troops in the field past the age of sixty. The Chongzhen Emperor, upon receiving her in Beijing, presented her with four personal poems and reportedly lamented the absence of a single male general with comparable valor. Qin remains the only woman in the Twenty-Four Histories whose biography was placed among those of generals and ministers rather than in the separate "Biographies of Exemplary Women."
Women who participate in sports, especially male-dominated sports, are sometimes derided as being masculine. Even though most sports emphasize stereotypically masculine qualities, such as strength, competition, and aggression, women who participate in sports are still expected to conform to strictly feminine gender norms. This is known as the "female athlete paradox". Although traditional gender norms are gradually changing, female athletes, especially those that participate in male-dominated sports such as boxing, weight lifting, American football, rugby, ice hockey, and motorsport, are still often viewed as deviating from the boundaries of femininity and may suffer negative repercussions.
Women face a similar paradox in the business world, as corporate leadership roles are widely associated with stereotypically masculine characteristics. Women who adopt these characteristics may be more successful, but also more disliked due to not conforming with expected feminine stereotypes.
According to a study in the UK, women with stereotypically masculine personality traits are more likely to gain access to high-paying occupations than women with feminine personality traits. According to another study conducted in Germany, women who fit the stereotypical masculine gender role are generally more successful in their careers.
Historical examples of women expressing masculine traits through physical prowess and military command exist across cultures. In imperial China, Qin Liangyu (1574–1648) was recorded in the Mingshi (History of Ming) as proficient in archery, horsemanship, and spear-fighting. She designed and trained the White Pole Army, an elite infantry force named for their distinctive white waxwood spears, adapted for mountain warfare with a hook for slashing and a metal ring for striking, and capable of being linked together as climbing ladders. She commanded this force in over thirty campaigns against both internal rebellions and Manchu invasion forces, continuing to lead troops in the field past the age of sixty. The Chongzhen Emperor, upon receiving her in Beijing, presented her with four personal poems and reportedly lamented the absence of a single male general with comparable valor. Qin remains the only woman in the Twenty-Four Histories whose biography was placed among those of generals and ministers rather than in the separate "Biographies of Exemplary Women."
Women who participate in sports, especially male-dominated sports, are sometimes derided as being masculine. Even though most sports emphasize stereotypically masculine qualities, such as strength, competition, and aggression, women who participate in sports are still expected to conform to strictly feminine gender norms. This is known as the "female athlete paradox". Although traditional gender norms are gradually changing, female athletes, especially those that participate in male-dominated sports such as boxing, weight lifting, American football, rugby, ice hockey, and motorsport, are still often viewed as deviating from the boundaries of femininity and may suffer negative repercussions.
Women face a similar paradox in the business world, as corporate leadership roles are widely associated with stereotypically masculine characteristics. Women who adopt these characteristics may be more successful, but also more disliked due to not conforming with expected feminine stereotypes.
According to a study in the UK, women with stereotypically masculine personality traits are more likely to gain access to high-paying occupations than women with feminine personality traits. According to another study conducted in Germany, women who fit the stereotypical masculine gender role are generally more successful in their careers.
