What is "feminization"

Feminization \Fem`i*ni*za"tion\, n. The act of feminizing, or the state of being feminized.

1844, noun of action from feminize.

alt. 1 The act of feminizing, or the state of being feminized. 2 (context biology English) The development of female sex characteristics. n. 1 The act of feminizing, or the state of being feminized. 2 (context biology English) The development of female sex characteristics.

n. the process of becoming feminized; the development of female characteristics (loss of facial hair or breast enlargement) in a male because of hormonal disorders or castration [syn: feminisation]

Feminization may refer to:

• Feminization (biology), the hormonally induced development of female sexual characteristics
• Feminization (activity), a sexual or lifestyle practice where a person assumes a female role
• Feminization (sociology), a perceived societal shift of gender roles toward the characteristically "female"
• Feminization of agriculture, the measurable increase of women's participation in agriculture
• Feminization of the face, a set of reconstructive surgical procedures that alter typically male facial features to bring them closer in shape and size to typical female facial features
• Feminization of language, the process of making a word or name female
• Feminization of migration, a trend where a higher rate of women migrate to labor or marriage
• Feminization of poverty, a phenomenon in which women represent disproportionate percentages of the world's poor
• Feminization of voice, the desired goal of changing a perceived male sounding voice to a perceived female sounding voice
• Feminisation of the workplace, the trend towards greater employment of women, and of men willing and able to operate with these more 'feminine' modes of interaction

Feminization or feminisation (see spelling differences), also known as sissification, is used to describe the practice, especially in female dominance, of switching the gender role of a male submissive. The male in such a process is sometimes and informally known as a sissy. Feminization is usually achieved via cross-dressing, where the male is dressed in female attire, ranging from just wearing female undergarments to being fully dressed in very feminine attire, including make-up, hairdress and nail polish. Some males take on tasks, behaviours and roles that are overtly feminine, and adopt female mannerisms and postures in tasks such as sitting, walking, and acting in a feminine manner. This emasculation may be coupled with punishments such as spanking or caning to gain cooperation and heighten submission of submissive male. Begging and pleading to stop the feminization may be part of the fantasy.

Costumes are sometimes very domestic, suggestive of servitude or ageplay. The clothes may be from those of a traditional submissive female role, such as schoolgirl, secretary or a "sissy" maid, to a princess.

Forced feminization may also include the male receiving anal sex from a female using a strap-on dildo (sometimes called pegging), or penetration from another male, or group of males. Butt plugs and other anal-penetrative toys may also be used. Anal sex is used because it may be perceived to be feminine due to its traditional use on women in heterosexual relationships, or due to the passive/receiving/submissive being penetrated, whereas the typical male role may be judged to be more active/dominant. Alternatively, the feminized male may be "forced" to perform oral sex on another male.

Another common practice in feminization is orgasm control, often through the use of a chastity belt. Also encountered in feminization are the following: erotic humiliation, bondage, petticoating, cuckoldry, leather, latex/pvc, infantilism, corporal punishment, etc.

Feminization can also involve the conversion of a masculine name into a feminine name such as "Stephen" into "Stephanie", "Joseph" into "Josephine", or "Daniel" into "Danielle", as part of a constructed feminine persona. The submissive male may also be given feminine name that is different from his male name, referred to as "a good girl", or insulted and degraded with derogatory terms usually applied to women, such as "slut" or "whore".

In biology and medicine, feminization is the development in an organism of physical characteristics that are usually unique to the female of the species. This may represent a normal developmental process, contributing to sexual differentiation. Feminization can also be induced by environmental factors, and this phenomenon has been observed in several animal species.

In sociology, feminization is the shift in gender roles and sex roles in a society, group, or organization towards a focus upon the feminine. This is the opposite of a cultural focus upon masculinity.

Scholar Ann Douglas chronicled the rise of what she describes as sentimental "feminization" of American mass culture in the 19th century, in which writers of both sexes underscored popular convictions about women's weaknesses, desires, and proper place in the world.

It can also mean the incorporation of women into a group or a profession that was once dominated only by men.

Potential examples of feminization in society can include:

• The feminization of education – Majority female teachers, a female majority of students in higher education and a curriculum which is better suited to the learning process of women.
• The feminization of poverty – Less income for females than males in the labour market, and female single-headed households seem to face poverty more severely than other women.