pc@hplabsb.UUCP (Patricia Collins) (02/15/84)
In response to the request for clarification of these terms, I would say that they evoke a FEELING in some people (different feelings in different people). Since both terms are powerful ones for me, I can share my usage; I wish I could describe my feelings. SISTERHOOD: a bond between women who share a common set of beliefs and experiences related to their being women There is a sense of common purpose within a sisterhood, of emotional/psychological support, and of mutual understanding. There may be some political coloring to a sisterhood, some sense of social purpose, but that (for me) takes a back seat to that wonderful experience of shared feelings. WOMANHOOD: qualities related specifically to being a woman This feeling is more physical (than sisterhood). Awareness of my "womanhood" seems to be tied tightly to my hormones. It is distinguishable from manhood, but also from childhood. I don't tend to associate it with all "womanly" qualities, but rather with sex-specific experiences (menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, the-feelings-only-a-woman-can-have in making love). I decided to see what Webster's came up with and was discouraged to see the following: woman: ...qualities conventionally regarded as feminine, such as weakness, timidity, inclination to gossip, etc. man: ...qualities conventionally regarded as masculine, such as strength, courage, etc. from Webster's NEW WORLD DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN USAGE, 1979 [What about sensitivity? non-verbal communication? patience? understanding? gentility? intuition?... or any of the other "conventionally" ascribed qualities?] Obviously, we don't all define these terms the same way. Patricia Collins hplabs