where do an individual’s ideas about masculinity and feminity originate?
I don’t think there’s any definitive answer to that question, but if you’re really interested in the subject, I highly recommend reading “Sex on the Brain” by Deborah Blum. It details the biological differences between men and women. So, of course, some of our ideas about masculinity and femininity originate from legitimate differences.
However, there are plenty of alleged differences that probably stem more from society than real differences. I don’t think men are better at mowing the lawn than women, or women better at doing the dishes than men, but think about who does which in most households…