Femininity is not a word that people are encouraged to use these days. A lot of people would argue that femininity is the thing that keeps women obedient to men. However, there is a hidden assumption behind this term. The assumption is that masculinity is superior to femininity; that femininity is not a beautiful and powerful thing in its own right. It is believed that women have something men do not have. Women have special qualities that belong to them as women, and they do not intend to suppress those special qualities. In fact, the world would be a much poorer place without femininity.
What means to be a woman? What first came to one's mind is stereotypical passive, dependent, altruistic, intuitive emotionally open and impulsive. This is what is meant to be the ideal women in our society. In general, men have more power in the public place such as economic and political order, while women have more power in the private place such as domestic life, family. The social whole will be best suited if each sex does those tasks for which it is best suited. In fact, men and women have biologically different capacities and interests (aggressive vs. maternal feelings, etc).
In the role of the family, men have power in making decision and the women have control of housework. It is common to see the different aspects of gender role in two societies. These two societies have their own values and beliefs that keep the men and the women different. However, the role of man is somewhat similar, though women have no similarities on a large scale. In Afghanistan, women are considered to be gentle, modest, marry and take up housekeeping, support the entire family in any circumstances, and always be graceful. Women are not assigned to do jobs that carry responsibilities and efforts. They are not considered to be liable for important tasks. Also, the role of women in the family is not considered to be important as men. Most of the families in Afghanistan have very domineering husbands. Women do all the housework without the help from men. Women also do not have the control over money matter.
On the other hand, the foreign culture considers women as equal to men. Women at work have their own offices, men and women share their roles in the family, and they both have control over other issues too. These two societies have the norm that has been changing over the decades. Women's role has changed. However, portray of women is somewhat typical and remains the same in a sense. It is believed that men and women are fundamentally the same and that all differences are the result of conditioning. Each of them is an individual, of course. The point is that femininity is something real. It is not something cooked up by society. It is not a cultural or historical accident. It is part of what we are.