Perception of femininity in different countries: a qualitative metasynthesis

Abstract

Background: Femininity is a complicated term because it does not define a single phenomenon. Different perceptions of femininity are very dependent on one's background and knowledge of everyday actions that the meaning of femininity understood by them. In addition, the concept of femininity is close to the concept of gender, which in all societies is one of the basic structures of human identity and experiences, and the importance and role of it varies from society to society. Aims: Since the definition of femininity varies depending on the culture and standards of each country, examining the perception of women in different countries can clarify various aspects of femininity. Methods: In the present study, using the qualitative metasynthetic method of Noblit and Hare (1988), qualitative studies related to the subject of research in three databases Scopus, Sciencedirect and PubMed in the period 2000 to 2020 were examined. The search retrieved 377 articles and based on PRISMA method and inclusion and exclusion criteria, 19 articles selected to enter the research . Results: Six different factors were found in the perception of femininity: sexual agency, motherhood, appearance and body, caregiver or self-care, independence and respect, and cultural factor. Conclusion: Identifying different aspects of femininity can help researchers to explain and solve various problems and concerns of women.