The google definitions of femininity and masculinity are as such:

Femininity- qualities or attributes regarded as characteristic of women or girls.

Masculinity- qualities or attributes regarded as characteristic of men or boys.

Masculinity is seen to be the trait which emphasizes ambition, acquisition of wealth, and differentiated gender roles. Stereotypical ways to describe a ‘male’ are as such:

• strong
• dominant
• physically attractive
• masculine
• expected to do a “mans” job
• be successful
• in control, the leader
• agressive
• bold
• responsible
• tough, ” A man should always defend his reputation and be willing to use physical aggression to do so.”

Femininity is seen to be the trait which stress caring and nurturing behaviours, sexuality equality, environmental awareness, and more fluid gender roles.

Stereotypical ways to describe a female are as such:

• emotional
• submissive
• quiet
• graceful
• passive
• weak
• nurturing

What is binary opposition?

The themes of ‘FEMININITY and MASCULINITY’ are a binary opposite – a pair of related terms or concepts that are opposite in meaning.

Binary opposition originated in Saussurean structuralist theory in Linquistics (scientific study of language) According to Ferdinand de Saussure, binary opposition is the system by which, in language and thought, two theoretical opposites are strictly defined and set off against one another. Using binary opposites can often be very helpful in generating ideas for a photographic project as it provides a framework – a set of boundaries to work within.

Examples of binary opposites :

• rich and poor
• good and bad
• girl and boy
• peace and war
• first world and third world
• democracy and dictatorship
• young and old
• protagonist and antagonist
• man and woman
• humanity and technology
• man and nature
• black and white
• strong and weak
• ignorance and wisdom
• east and west

How can identity be influenced?

ENVIRONMENT/UPBRINGING – This can affect your identity due to how you have been raised, and what values you have been brought up with. It is difficult to change your views after a period of time with how someone else had build these into you.

CULTURAL IDENTITY – Cultural identity can mean a various of things; nationality, ethnicity, race, gender, and religion. Their are many wars that have been created due to different beliefs and stereotypes people have been taught to know. Stereotypes include that; black people are ‘dangerous’ and more likely to cause trouble, after George Floyds death many people unionised and created the BLM movement to contradict this stereotype.

LOSS OF IDENTITY – People that may have lost a part of themselves, or changes who they are: eg. transgender, different pronouns, mental illness, or going through a trauma , may have a different view on identity. This could vary from people that have experienced themselves, people who know people that have experienced something, or people that feel empathetic.