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.