What Are The Characteristics Of French Women?

A nuclear family is important in France, representing a significant difference between French women and American or British women. Indeed, family relationships remain integral for many French people, and around 68% of all children live with both parents. However, around one in five households are single families, representing a shift between family structures and more modern ones. Nevertheless, when dating a French woman, it’s vital to consider that her family will likely be critical to her; with this in mind, you should carefully consider what this might mean for your relationship. As such, the chances are that she will want to spend a lot of time with her family as well as with you, so dedicating time between each side of the family is essential. However, this concept also extends to her broader family, so French women typically form powerful bonds with their partners. Hence, try to dedicate plenty of time to your French partner, as she’ll likely want to spend time with you.

The number of families in France with children is slightly above those without children. Indeed, it is estimated that around 7.8 million households are childless. This figure is in direct contrast to the number of couples with children, which falls at about 7.5 million. In addition, a further 550,000 households are single fathers with children, while single mothers with children account for approximately 2.5 million households. However, divorces are surprisingly common in France compared to many other countries. The country experiences over 62,000 divorces annually, with about 51 divorces for every 100 marriages. However, this still indicates that the number of married couples in the country is increasing; however, marriage may not be as crucial for some French women, so you may want to check this before making a move. And, if you’re going to avoid getting divorced later on, try to ensure you have developed a strong relationship with your French partner to reduce the chances of divorce. 

The population of French women is approximately 34.8 million women. Since there are more French women than French men, this indicates the potential to find a good match when looking for a French woman to date and marry. Moreover, since many men find women in France attractive and enjoy their company, it’s often common to see French women appealing, increasing their appeal overall. Moreover, compared to other countries, such as the United Kingdom, women in France typically have slightly more children than in other European countries, such as the United Kingdom and Ukraine, by around 10% and 50%, respectively. However, the average number of children per French woman is still below two. Therefore, you may want to prepare for around one or two children when dating French women. The fertility rate in France has also mainly remained consistent each year, falling at about 1.85 or 1.849; as such, this is relatively more stable than some other European nations and could be worth considering.

France’s central educational system boasts impressive literacy rates and diploma achievements. Indeed, approximately 79.7% of students in France achieve a secondary diploma, while 27% attain a post-secondary diploma. Moreover, the country has a total literacy rate of 99.0%, which is has maintained since 2000; however, the literacy rate has remained stable during that time, indicating that further improvements to the country’s educational system have been largely unhelpful. The French educational system is state-funded, and unlike many other European countries, even higher education in France is partially (though not wholly) subsidized by the state for French nationals. As a result, higher education in France is top-rated among international students, and many travels from their home countries to France to study. Annually, around 325,000 to 375,000 international students live in France to study at any one time, taking advantage of the substantially cheaper tuition fees for students.

The main bulk of a child’s education in France commences at primary school age at six years of age. Before this, most French women and men send their children to preschool, which runs between the ages of three and six years, although this is not always fully subsidized by the state (but remains compulsory). The French educational system emphasizes teaching young children the necessary foundations for future learning and study, including basic reading, writing, and numeracy skills. This fact differs from many other European countries, where preschool education is often not compulsory, and may indicate why French learners typically achieve impressive results in education and literacy. After that, primary school commences and runs until the age of eleven; secondary school runs between eleven and fifteen years of age. However, many students also complete post-secondary education at a high school until they are eighteen before entering the field of work or commencing university study. Around fifteen million students are typically in education; of these, about 15% are in post-secondary education.

Outside of education, many French women and men are employed; the total employment rate usually falls at around 66%, which is on par with many other nearby European countries. However, substantially more French men are employed than French women, indicating a potential discrepancy between the genders. Furthermore, it may be valuable to consider that the overall unemployment rate in France is very low, at just 7.1%. The average annual French wage is just over €31,000, and there is a difference in wages of approximately 15%. As such, if you have been looking to date French women, you may want to be prepared that you may bring in more income than she does, owing to income differences. However, most French women are still determined to contribute to the household, and very few are content to settle for just being provided for by their partner. While she will likely expect you to help pay the bills, she will usually do her best to contribute to paying her way.

As is the case for many other European nations, religion in France is highly varied and diverse; as such, it’s safe to say that France is a highly multicultural country, with influences from countless different religions across the board. However, the most common faith in France is Catholicism, which accounts for 41% of all respondents as of September 2019. However, this was only barely the majority, with respondents claiming to have no religion shortly after that at 40%. In addition, the proportion of religion among French women is drastically more petite, with most other faiths holding only 1% or 2% of the population. The only exception is Islam, which boasts around 5% of the people, although this is still a relatively small proportion compared to Catholicism and no religion.

Christianity is the oldest religion in the country and the most commonly followed religion by percentage. However, there is a clear distinction between Protestantism and Catholicism in the country, with the former accounting for only around 2% of the population – twenty times fewer than Catholics in France. Moreover, a few of the French population consider themselves Pagans, although it’s often unclear how many people in France follow Paganism precisely. Protestantism was strong during the French Wars of religion, although it was primarily persecuted by the state and was only tolerated for very brief periods. However, following the 1598 Edict of Nantes, signed by Henry IV, secularism and tolerance for Protestants in France were encouraged. Protestants were finally allowed to work in any French state (which had previously been banned). After that, while Protestantism remained a minority, the religion began to spread throughout the country, with Huguenot Protestant nobility controlling an increasingly large land area. Lutherism also became more common during these years, although it largely remains a minority in the outer edges of France. However, Christianisation was severely threatened by the French Revolution, and the state took control of the Catholic Church in 1790. This change would lead to numerous significant reforms in the country, not all of which were wholly embraced; however, minority religions were granted full civil rights for the first time.

Outside of Christianity, minority religions also make up a relatively large sum of the French population – just shy of 20% of all French people. The most common is Islam, accounting for 5% of all French women and men. However, many do not consider themselves directly religious, and it is often considered a culture or doctrine for life by French followers of Islam. Meanwhile, Judaism accounts for over 500,000 French women and men, making France one of the world’s largest homes for Jewish people. In fact, France has the largest population of Jewish residents in Europe and the third-largest Jewish population globally. Judaism is also incredibly historic in the country. Evidence of Judaism dates back to the Middle Ages; it wasn’t until the French Revolution that Judaism was officially recognized in France.

French women are often considered stylish and sophisticated, but it’s essential to recognize that this alone doesn’t represent her entire character. Nevertheless, one of the first things you’ll probably notice when dating a French woman is how much effort she puts into her appearance and looking her best for you when meeting up. However, while she’ll most likely try to look her best for every occasion, this will often be much less focused on makeup and making herself look good instead of simply ensuring she’s at her healthiest. Indeed, French women prioritize skincare and general good health over makeup and extravagant flair – which is part of why so many French women often have an effortless beauty about them. She’ll certainly do her best to ensure she looks good for you, simple, sophisticated, and stylish, but always remind her that looks aren’t everything!

Another typical mentality and trait of French women that many people notice is their confidence and determination. Perhaps it’s to do with their natural beauty and effortless style, but French women’s confidence and high self-esteem are likely the results of their supportive upbringing. Indeed, the importance of family in French culture is massive, and families are often incredibly supportive of their sons and daughters. Indeed, it’s not uncommon for young French girls and teens to come across as incredibly confident, something that’s often not seen in other cultures where women may be more characteristically shy or reserved. This, coupled with the overall French mindset for confidence, tends to make French women far happier in their looks and body image than in many other cultures, which ties in with their reduced reliance on makeup compared to a more natural look. As such, when dating French women, you should be prepared for them to be bold, determined, and potentially even outspoken. However, most French women are not necessarily aggressive or unpleasant in their self-confidence but simply assertive. French women know what they want, and they’ll not hesitate to let you know in many cases.

However, this also poses a point of concern; just because she’s hanging around you doesn’t mean you should immediately assume her to be a friend. In fact, in many cases, it’s not uncommon for French women and men to be “just friends” without any hidden meanings or feelings behind the statement. So, always try to be careful when meeting French women, so you don’t accidentally assume there’s more going on than there is. Of course, that’s not to say your affections won’t woo your French date – but try to be confident she is genuinely on the same page before asking her out, just in case it’s a friendly banter over anything else. Luckily, French women are often relatively easy to read. Their self-confidence and self-esteem may even leave them asking you out first – so, if you’re feeling unsure, try to read her cues and see how she acts around you to decide whether you’re firmly in the friendship camp or if there might be something more there.