10 minutes with...Geert Hofstede on Masculinity versus Femininity 10112014

Summary

This script explores the concept of masculinity and femininity in societal roles, contrasting 'masculine' societies that prioritize assertiveness, material success, and work over family with 'feminine' societies that value modesty, tenderness, and a balance between work and family life. Anthropologist Margaret Mead's work is highlighted, emphasizing the emotional roles associated with gender. The script discusses the implications of these societal attitudes on various aspects such as education, poverty, international aid, marketing, and social media use. It also touches on the historical stability of these dimensions and the taboo nature of the term 'femininity' in the United States.

Takeaways

• 📚 Masculine and feminine are terms used to describe societal roles and behaviors, not just biological sex.
• 🌍 Anthropological studies since the 1930s have explored the diverse gender role divisions across different societies.
• 👩‍🏫 Margaret Mead, a young female American anthropologist, has been influential in these studies.
• 🔍 The sixth dimension is unique in that the source of information (male or female) affects the perception of the information.
• 🏙️ In masculine societies, emotional gender roles are distinct, emphasizing assertiveness and material success for men, and quality of life for women.
• 🌸 Feminine societies have less distinct role separation, with men also expected to be modest, tender, and focused on quality of life.
• 💼 Work-life balance is prioritized in feminine societies, whereas work often takes precedence over family in masculine societies.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 In masculine societies, fathers deal with facts and mothers with feelings, contrasting with the more balanced approach in feminine societies.
• 🌐 The concept of masculinity and femininity varies across cultures, with no direct correlation to a country's wealth.
• 📊 The masculinity index (MAS) measures a society's position on the masculinity-femininity spectrum, with Japan scoring the highest and countries like Denmark and the Netherlands scoring low.
• 🔗 Masculinity and femininity scores correlate with societal factors such as literacy rates, poverty levels, and attitudes towards the weak.

Q & A

What is the difference between masculine and feminine in the context of the video?

In the video, masculine and feminine refer to societal structures where emotional gender roles are distinct. Masculine societies emphasize assertiveness, toughness, and material success for men, while feminine societies encourage a balance between modesty, tenderness, and focus on the quality of life for both men and women.

Who is Margaret Mead and what is her significance in the context of this video?

Margaret Mead was a young female American Anthropologist who played an important role in the 1930s by studying the variety of role divisions between genders in different societies, contributing significantly to the understanding of gender roles in anthropology.

How does the video define a masculine society in terms of emotional roles?

A masculine society is defined as one where emotional gender roles are distinct, with men expected to be assertive, tough, and focused on material success, while women are expected to be modest, tender, and focused on the quality of life.

What is the significance of the sixth dimension in the video's discussion?

The sixth dimension is significant because it is the only dimension where the source of information, whether it comes from women or men, matters. In other dimensions, the gender of the data collector does not affect the position of the dimensions.

How does the video describe the balance between family and work in masculine versus feminine societies?

In masculine societies, work clearly prevails over family, and neglecting family for work is considered acceptable. In contrast, feminine societies aim to balance family and work, and work is not an acceptable excuse to neglect family.

What is the term used in Nordic countries to describe jealousy of high achievers, as mentioned in the video?

In Nordic countries, the term 'yente laen' is used to describe the phenomenon of being jealous of high achievers, derived from a novel that illustrates the behavior of people in a small town towards newcomers.

How does the video relate masculinity and femininity to religious beliefs?

In masculine societies, religion tends to focus on a powerful God, often referred to as God the Father. In feminine societies, religion is more focused on fellow human beings and relationships.

What is the masculinity index (MAS) mentioned in the video, and how is it measured?

The masculinity index (MAS) is a scale used to measure the position of masculinity or femininity in a society relative to other societies. It ranges from 0 for the most feminine society to 100 for the most masculine society.

Which country has the highest masculinity score according to the video?

According to the video, Japan has the highest masculinity score.

How does the video suggest that masculinity scores can be correlated with societal facts?

The video suggests that masculinity scores can be correlated with various societal facts, such as the percentage of functionally illiterate people, the number of people living below the poverty level, the percentage of budget spent on aid to poor countries, and attitudes towards poverty.

Does the video suggest that masculinity and femininity are stable dimensions over time?

Yes, the video suggests that masculinity and femininity at the societal level are as stable as other dimensions, with country differences often rooted in history and transferred to children through family role models.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Gender Roles and Society: The Anthropological Perspective

This paragraph discusses the anthropological understanding of gender roles, distinguishing between 'masculine' and 'feminine' as societal constructs rather than biological differences. It highlights the work of Margaret Mead, an American anthropologist, who studied the division of roles between genders across different societies. The paragraph introduces the concept of 'masculine' societies, where emotional gender roles are distinct, and men are expected to be assertive and focused on material success, while women are expected to be modest and tender, focusing on the quality of life. In contrast, 'feminine' societies are characterized by a more balanced approach to gender roles, where both men and women are expected to be nurturing and focused on the quality of life. The paragraph also touches on how these societal expectations influence family dynamics, work-life balance, and attitudes towards the weak and successful individuals.

05:00

📊 Measuring Masculinity and Femininity: The Masculinity Index

This paragraph delves into the concept of the Masculinity Index (Mas), a scale used to measure the degree of masculinity or femininity in a society. It presents a list of countries with their corresponding scores on this index, with Japan scoring the highest for masculinity. The paragraph also discusses the lack of correlation between a country's wealth and its level of masculinity or femininity, noting that both rich and poor countries can be either masculine or feminine. It further explores the implications of these scores, such as the relationship between masculinity and societal factors like illiteracy, poverty levels, and attitudes towards aid to poor countries. Additionally, it mentions how societal values around masculinity and femininity can influence marketing, employment negotiations, and social media usage. The paragraph concludes with the observation that masculinity and femininity scores tend to be stable over time and are passed down through generations.

10:03

🚫 The Taboo of Femininity: A Cultural Analysis

The final paragraph addresses the cultural taboo surrounding the concept of femininity, particularly in the United States, which is described as a very masculine country. It discusses the idea of a taboo as a reflection of a strong societal value that is so ingrained that certain words or concepts become off-limits. The paragraph suggests that the avoidance of the term 'femininity' in the USA may indicate a resistance to acknowledging or discussing the feminine aspects of society. It concludes with the notion that, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, societal levels of masculinity and femininity are considered as stable as other cultural dimensions, and that these values are deeply rooted in historical and cultural contexts.

Keywords

💡Masculine Societies

Masculine societies are defined by distinct emotional gender roles where men are expected to be assertive, tough, and focused on material success, while women are expected to be modest, tender, and focused on the quality of life. This concept is central to the video's theme as it contrasts with feminine societies and influences various aspects of social structure, such as work-life balance and family dynamics. For instance, the script mentions that in masculine societies, work prevails over family, and men are not expected to express emotions like modesty or tenderness.

💡Feminine Societies

Feminine societies are characterized by a weaker or non-existent division of emotional gender roles, where both men and women are encouraged to be modest, tender, and focused on the quality of life. This concept is crucial to the video's narrative as it provides a contrast to masculine societies and influences social attitudes towards work, family, and gender roles. The script gives examples such as in feminine societies, both parents are expected to deal with both facts and feelings, and there is a balance between family and work.

💡Gender Roles

Gender roles refer to the expectations of behavior, attitudes, and activities that a society considers appropriate for men and women. In the context of the video, gender roles are used to differentiate between masculine and feminine societies, highlighting how these roles shape societal norms and values. The script discusses how in masculine societies, men are expected to be the assertive breadwinners, while in feminine societies, there is a more equal distribution of emotional and practical responsibilities between genders.

💡Margaret Mead

Margaret Mead was a prominent American anthropologist who played a significant role in the study of gender roles and their variations across different societies. Her work is mentioned in the video as an important foundation for understanding the diversity of gender role divisions. Mead's research is a key reference point for the video's exploration of how gender roles have been studied and understood over time.

💡Masculinity Index (MAS)

The Masculinity Index (MAS) is a measure used to rank societies on a scale from 0 (most feminine) to 100 (most masculine) based on their gender role orientation. This index is a central tool in the video for comparing and contrasting societies along the masculine-feminine spectrum. The script provides a list of countries with their respective MAS scores, illustrating how this index can be used to understand societal values and behaviors.

💡Functional Illiterates

Functional illiterates are individuals who cannot read or write, and the video suggests a correlation between the percentage of functional illiterates and the level of masculinity in a society. This concept is used to highlight social disparities that may arise from different gender role expectations. The script notes that masculine societies tend to have a higher percentage of functional illiterates, possibly indicating a lesser emphasis on education or different opportunities for different genders.

💡Poverty Perception

The video discusses how different societies attribute the cause of poverty differently, which is linked to their level of masculinity or femininity. In masculine societies, poverty is often perceived as a result of laziness, while in feminine societies, it is seen as due to bad luck. This concept is important as it reflects the societal attitudes towards wealth, success, and social responsibility.

💡Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance refers to the equilibrium between an individual's work and personal life. The video uses this concept to differentiate between masculine and feminine societies, where the former prioritizes work over family, and the latter seeks a balance. This concept is integral to understanding the societal values and the quality of life in different cultures.

💡Religion and Society

The video discusses how religion can reflect and reinforce societal gender roles, with masculine societies often focusing on a powerful, authoritative God形象, and feminine societies emphasizing community and interpersonal relationships. This concept is used to illustrate how religious beliefs can be intertwined with cultural values and gender expectations.

💡Sexual Relationships

The video touches on how the nature of sexual relationships can differ between masculine and feminine societies, with the former viewing sex as a performance and the latter as a means of relating. This concept is used to explore how gender dynamics play out in intimate relationships and how societal values can shape sexual norms.

💡Social Media Usage

Social media usage patterns are highlighted in the video as an indicator of a society's masculinity or femininity. In masculine societies, social media is used more for fact-gathering, while in feminine societies, it is used for rapport building and relationship development. This concept is relevant as it reflects how technology is integrated into social interactions and the values placed on communication and connection.

Highlights

Masculine and feminine are not the same as male and female; they refer to manlike and womanlike characteristics.

Anthropological studies since the 1930s have explored the variety of gender role divisions in different societies.

Margaret Mead, a young female American Anthropologist, played an important role in these studies.

In the sixth dimension, the source of information (women or men) matters, unlike other dimensions.

Masculine societies are defined by distinct emotional gender roles, such as assertiveness and toughness for men.

Feminine societies are characterized by a weaker separation of emotional roles, with men also expected to be modest and tender.

In masculine societies, work prevails over family, while in feminine societies, there is a balance between family and work.

Masculine societies view work as an acceptable excuse to neglect family, whereas family is not an acceptable excuse to neglect work.

In masculine societies, fathers deal with facts and mothers with feelings, while in feminine societies, both parents handle both.

Masculine societies admire strength, while feminine societies show sympathy for the weak.

In masculine societies, boys are not supposed to cry, while in feminine societies, both boys and girls may cry.

Religion in masculine societies focuses on a powerful God, while in feminine societies, it focuses on fellow human beings.

Masculine societies view sex as a performance with men as subjects and women as objects, while feminine societies see it as a way for couples to relate.

The position of masculinity or femininity in a society is measured relative to other societies using a masculinity index (MAS).

Japan has the highest masculinity score, while countries like Denmark and the Netherlands are on the feminine side.

There is no direct relationship between a country's wealth and its level of masculinity or femininity.

Masculinity and femininity scores can be correlated with societal facts such as literacy rates and poverty levels.

In masculine societies, salary is more important than leisure during employment negotiations, while in feminine societies, leisure is equally important.

Masculine societies use social media for fact-gathering, while feminine societies use it for rapport building and relationship development.

Masculinity scores are considered stable over time and are passed down through generations within families.

The concept of femininity is a taboo in the USA, reflecting a strong societal value.

Transcripts

[Music]

masculine and feminine are not the same

as male and female they are the

latinized words that are used for

manlike and woman likee so for example a

man can be called feminine and a woman

can be called

masculine in anthropology since about

the

1930s U there has been studies of the

variety of role divisions between the

genders in different

societies and very important role here

has been played by the young uh female

American Anthropologist Margaret meat

it's interesting that from the sixth

Dimension this is the only one where it

matters whether the information comes

from women or from Men in the other

dimensions whether you collect your data

from women or from men you get the same

position of the dimensions the

definition masculinity is society in

which emotional gender roles are

distinct I'm not talking about social

gender roles because they have a lot to

do with the wealth of the country but

I'm talking about the emotional role

what you should feel being born as a boy

or being born as a girl and the boys

should be assertive and tough and

focused on material success and the

women should be focused on the quality

of

life uh I call Society feminine

if this role separation is not there or

it is weaker at least so that especially

men are also supposed at times to be

modest and tender and focused on the

quality of

life uh now I'm opposing feminine

societies to masculine societies most

societies are somewhere in between in

feminine societies people try to balance

family and work in masculine societies

work clearly prevails over the family

and um work is an acceptable uh excuse

to neglect the

family and family is of course not an

acceptable excuse to neglect your

work within the family in masculine

Society fathers should deal with facts

and mothers should deal with feelings

and if the children are hurt they should

go to Mama

in the feminine societies both father

and mother should deal with facts and

feeding so you may go to Mama for facts

and you may go to Papa if you're

hurt masculine societies admire the

strong feminine societies are jealous of

High Flyers and especially in the Nordic

countries Denmark Sweden Norway they

have a word for this yente laen it means

the law of yente a yente is a name of a

little town from a novel that describes

how the people in the little town we so

jealous of somebody who came in who is

the author of the novel in masculine

societies people this day in the weak in

feminine societies they have sympathy

for the weak in masculine societies

girls cry but boys should not cry boys

fight but girls should not fight in

femin in societies both boys and girls

May Cry but neither should

fight in religion you have

different religions or different flavors

of religions in the masculine Society it

focuses on God God the Father the

powerful God and in feminine societies

religion focuses on the fellow human

being and finally obviously it's also

related to sexual ual relationship and

you could say that in the feminine

Society sex is a way for a couple to

relate uh in masculine societies sex is

a way of Performing and often it is so

that men is the subject and woman is the

object now how do we measure the

position of masculinity

femininity all dimension for a

society it can only be measured

relative to other societies and we

measure it in a masculinity index

Mas and the scale goes from zero for the

most feminine Society to 100 for the

most masculine

Society I have here a list of some 14

countries selected from the 76 for which

we have scores and you see that this

country with the highest masculinity

score is Japan

and also high on the masculinity side we

find Italy and Mexico and China and

Britain and Germany and the

USA and on the other side we find the

Arab countries just on that borderline

we find France we find Russia we find

Thailand Costa Rica Denmark and the

Netherlands now which shows that there

is no relationship at all between the

wealth of a country and masculinity or

femininity there are poor and Wealthy

masculine countries and poor and Wealthy

feminine

countries now what can we do with those

Mass scores well again we can correlate

them with hard facts in society for

example a few things that correlate

significantly with masculinity

femininity first of all the percentage

of people who are functionally

illiterate which means that they cannot

read or write uh in masculine societies

there are more functional illiterates

than in feminine

societies but also in masculine

societies there are more people living

below the poverty level than in feminine

societies for the outside masculine

societies spent a lesser part of their

budget on eight to poor countries

feminine societies spent a higher

percentage of their budget on Aid to

poor

countries they have been surveys to see

what people blame poverty on and in

masculine societies there is a popular

opinion that poverty is blamed on

laziness it means that if people are

poor is is because they are too lazy to

work whereas on feminine societies

poverty and to be blamed on simply bad

luck in marketing there is a difference

that clearly food Shoppers are women so

advertising for example for food is done

to a women public in feminine societies

both men and women shop for

food and finally uh something about the

relationship uh between the employer and

the employee

when they are negotiating upon

conditions then in masculine societies

salary is clearly more important than

leisure in feminine societies it is at

least as Leisure is at least as

important as salaries and in fact

feminine societies tend to have longer

vacations than masculine

societies and at the last point in

social media has been proven that in

masculine societies people use the

social media for fact Gathering and in

feminine societies they use it more for

Rapport building for developing

relationships with other

users do masculinity scores change over

time they are transferred to the

children in the family with obviously

father and mother as role

models and like for the other dimensions

the country differences expressed in the

mour tend to be rooted in history I have

an interesting example from the 16th

century which is so some one author

compared at that time two maritim Powers

Britain and Holland and compared them to

a couple where Britain was the man and

Holland was the

woman this is still the position Britain

is a masculine country and the

Netherlands are a feminine

country the database that we used for

comparing um the Generations on power

distance and individualism collectivism

unfortunately does not allow to compare

the masculinity femininity Dimensions

because it is the world value survey an

American survey and it does not contain

in its questionnaire values related to

the feminine pole of the dimension and

if you have only one pole you cannot

measure a

dimension in the USA the word femininity

is a taboo USA is of course a very

masculine country and what is a taboo a

taboo is an expression of a very strong

value a value so strong that the word

should even not be

used so my conclusion is that for for

lack of other evidence I consider

masculinity and femininity at the

societal level as stable as the other

dimensions

[Music]