Feminine and masculine as labels are not meaningful distinctions
I've been thinking about this a lot lately, especially since challenging a patriarchal society is such a big topic, online in particular.
Traits that we define as feminine are traits that make women smaller, and encourage us to take up less space. Petite, pretty, quiet and accommodating. Meanwhile, traits typically defined as masculine are often dominant, loud, physical strength and size.
But these traits are naturally present in individuals. Anyone can be small, demure, smooth and hairless, emotional and quiet. Anyone can be large, powerful, hairy, loud, dominant. The major difference is that 'masculine' traits are broadly criticized in women, and 'feminine' are broadly criticized in men.
So why do we seem to continue to use these terms as though they have any meaning beyond categories that limit our fellow human beings? I see them used in feminist communities and the more I think about it, the less I understand why we keep using them as though these distinctions have any value or purpose.
Edited because I used the words 'especially' twice in one sentence...