My brain doesn't process being "self-assured" and "measured," for example, as "masculine" traits, as I personally know more women who are those things than men. But often, that is how they're classified. And similarly, I don't view being "sensitive" and "compassionate" as expressly "feminine" traits. Because Lord knows I know plenty sensitive men and many discompassionate women. And even if sensitive is meant to mean "considerate," I know plenty of considerate men and inconsiderate women.

And so, I have two schematics for how "masculine" and "feminine" are classified that align better for how my brain wants to categorize.

SCHEMATIC ONE

Dimorphic "maleness" and "femaleness."

Meaning traits physiologically associated with being a human male or human female, that perhaps may manifest as some of the behavioral traits we're all familiar with.

Female: Softer skin, fuller breasts, less body hair, feline and neotenous facial features, experience with menses and menopause, slighter shoulders, curvier physique, etc.

Male: More body hair, squarer facial features, more angular physique, more physical strength, athletic prowess, experience with higher T and boners, facial hair, etc.

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SCHEMATIC TWO

Traits that one sex views as preferable in the opposite sex.

Meaning, for example, many men view acquiescence and agreeableness as attractive in women.

Meaning, for example, many women view competent assertion and self-sufficiency as attractive in men.

I focus on the "sees attractive in the opposite sex" because this framing doesn't discount that many men and women exist outside of what the other sex views as most ideal in the other.

Anyway, how do you all define these terms?