Masculinity and femininity as categories and constructs present in everyday life : an introduction

Abstract

"The subject of this monograph relates to stereotypes of masculinity and femininity. Its aim is an attempt to describe the phenomena of masculinity and femininity and the role they can play in selected contexts of everyday life. Both masculinity and femininity are important biological, social and cultural categories and constructs. They possess an individual and collective meaning. In a self-perception process, women and men describe and define themselves in a context of femininity and masculinity. Women desire to perceive themselves as “feminine”, and men as “masculine”.