“Femininity pleases men because it makes them appear more masculine by contrast; and, in truth, conferring an extra portion of unearned gender distinction on men, an unchallenged space in which to breathe freely and feel stronger, wiser, more competent, is femininity’s special gift. A major prupose of femininity is to mystify or minimize the functional aspects of a woman’s mind and body that are indistinguishable from a man’s. And then there are the compliments, the ultimate reward, for men are known to be highly appreciative when a woman has taken the trouble to create an entire human being who looks and acts and smells so different from them, a continuing reassurance that a male is a male because a female dresses and looks and acts like another creature.”
— - Femininity, Susan Brownmiller
