Male or Female?

[zobothehobo]

I honestly don't know. Maybe because I'm feminine for a guy. I think I need convincing. What's so great about being a female?

I like the idea of breaking this down.

On the negative side (or tell me I'm wrong). General meaning of course:
Menstruation

Yeah, that sucks... but the upside of that is being pregnant and giving birth.

Being (more afraid) of being harmed/abused by men in various ways.

It's statistically more likely... but I'm not afraid of it... I mean it would be living life halfway to walk around suspecting every guy you see is going to hurt/abuse you.

"Having" the pressure to be pretty and thin. I really would hate feeling I have to put on make-up in the morning.

Everyone has pressure to look good. Men and women have a pressure to look good...the pressure for women is higher perhaps... but it's not like the pressure for men is nonexistent. And beyond that, some women (myself included), don't care. I don't ever wear makeup. i hate it. I will wear it when it is required for something I really want to do (colorguard or acting), but not in my every day life. I've never felt like I had to put on make up in the morning. I've also never really felt this societal pressure to be thin and "pretty." I mean, I know I should be thinner for health reasons... but I've never felt this overwhelming pressure to be. And maybe it's that I'm just so anti-"normal" that I'm immune to most social pressures... but I've just never really felt it.

If you're strong willed and independant many will look down on you or at least be suspicious.

Eh... to be honest, the only people who really look down on strong willed, independent women are weak willed, insecure men. And I honestly don't care if they look down on me. Actually, no. That's a lie. I WANT them to look down on me.

Might be underpaid because of your gender.

That's a major suck and the first one on your list there's no upside for.

Giving birth although painful might be a blessing but being afraid of getting pregnant when you don't want to can't be easy at times.

Giving birth and being pregnant was my upside for menstration! I never understood all the women who said "ugh.. I wish he could be pregnant for me," or "I hate him because he did this to me and all he does is watch while I have to be pregnant." To me, pregnancy and giving birth isn't something you have to do or something that's shoved onto you, it's something you get to do. I always felt bad for straight couples because only one of them got to be pregnant.

Being afraid of being pregnant when you don't want to be can be tough... but as long as you have your reproductive rights, it's not the worst thing ever. (At least I don't think. Being gay, I've never had to experience this stress over being pregnant when you don't want to be... so I'm guessing).

More often expected to be the nice, helpful and smart one.

Um... That's a negative? I love people expecting me to be nice, helpful, and smart. I like being nice, helpful, and smart. I like to believe I am nice, helpful, and smart. I love it when people come up to me and ask me stuff... I wish they'd do it more often. It's a positive for me.

 

[Chosen Enemy]

To me, pregnancy sucks. It's a very tough time, pregnant women often suffer, for months. And the giving birth part, so painful that I ask myself why would anyone wanna do it. I don't want to be pregnant ever. Then many men think that it's the woman's job to take care of their kids, which I also really really don't want to. And the fact that we need to bleed and suffer every month, makes it even worse. For me it's like most of your life you're either bleeding and having horrible pains and such, or pregnant. You can't really have neither for most of your life. And that's the biggest sucky about being a woman, IMO. No man ever has that. So I would really prefer being a guy, much easier.

Lately my mom has been telling me that I'm not feminine at all. Well if you look at me I'm very feminine. The fact that I don't like grooming doesn't mean I'm not a female. My mother is convinced that all women in the world like grooming and want to have children. She forced nail polish on me. The most grooming I do is wear a deodorant, and only because I must. But wanting to be a male doesn't have to do with that. I don't like all the things girls have to go through, many of them are what [MENTION=8013]Washburne[/MENTION] mentions and more. I feel there are many things that are painful for women, not only physically. And I'm not sure if it's worth it. Because the whole woman package is so she could get pregnant and give birth, even if you don't even want to. And there's so many wrong things about it, menstruation at the top of the list. I don't want children, why do I have to have menstruation and suffer every month? I literally lay in bed at that period, sometimes crying because the pain is so intense. And for what? For the ability that's been forced on me?

 

[zobothehobo]

To me, pregnancy sucks. It's a very tough time, pregnant women often suffer, for months. And the giving birth part, so painful that I ask myself why would anyone wanna do it. I don't want to be pregnant ever. Then many men think that it's the woman's job to take care of their kids, which I also really really don't want to. And the fact that we need to bleed and suffer every month, makes it even worse. For me it's like most of your life you're either bleeding and having horrible pains and such, or pregnant. You can't really have neither for most of your life. And that's the biggest sucky about being a woman, IMO. No man ever has that. So I would really prefer being a guy, much easier.

But all the pain and everything... it's still worth it because your body is doing something so wonderful, so beautiful. You're literally making another person. I mean... as superpowers go, that's pretty freaking awesome. And you can go on birth control pills that take away most your bleeding things...

Lately my mom has been telling me that I'm not feminine at all. Well if you look at me I'm very feminine. The fact that I don't like grooming doesn't mean I'm not a female. My mother is convinced that all women in the world like grooming and want to have children. She forced nail polish on me. The most grooming I do is wear a deodorant, and only because I must. But wanting to be a male doesn't have to do with that. I don't like all the things girls have to go through, many of them are what [MENTION=8013]Washburne[/MENTION] mentions and more. I feel there are many things that are painful for women, not only physically. And I'm not sure if it's worth it. Because the whole woman package is so she could get pregnant and give birth, even if you don't even want to. And there's so many wrong things about it, menstruation at the top of the list. I don't want children, why do I have to have menstruation and suffer every month? I literally lay in bed at that period, sometimes crying because the pain is so intense. And for what? For the ability that's been forced on me?

If your pain is that intense, you might want to talk to you doctor about birth control. I know a lot of women who take it because their pain and PMS symptoms are so bad that if affects their ability to get up/move most months.

 

[Chosen Enemy]

But all the pain and everything... it's still worth it because your body is doing something so wonderful, so beautiful. You're literally making another person. I mean... as superpowers go, that's pretty freaking awesome. And you can go on birth control pills that take away most your bleeding things...


If your pain is that intense, you might want to talk to you doctor about birth control. I know a lot of women who take it because their pain and PMS symptoms are so bad that if affects their ability to get up/move most months.

Those pills are a risk. I did go to the doctor a few times because of the pain, and she kept giving me another kind of pill. stronger and stronger every time (not birth control pills. because they create so many problems I don't want).

And no, for me it's not worth it at all. Giving birth is also full of risks (and pregnancy), without even mentioning the pain that it causes. I think people should adopt more, what with the growing global population and the risks that come along with the person making. There are also so many children in the world who look for parents. I don't see why risk yourself and suffer pain if you can do a wonderful thing and give home and family to a child who's already been born.

 

[Washburne]

Thanks for the answers. I'm happy to see what you're not feeling you have to adapt not to be afraid of being attacked/raped. Sadly I know way too many females that just refuse to go out alone at certain times. So that's what I went with. For someone like me that likes walking at night and/or in parks/forrests it's not something I'd like.

But all the pain and everything... it's still worth it because your body is doing something so wonderful, so beautiful. You're literally making another person.

Once you have your child that's hopefully how you feel. People are different and I don't think people that haven't gone through it can actually tell if it's worth it or not. No matter if your stand before is a yes or no. I can never answer that based on personal knowledge. I'll just say that I could never say "I wish I could have this child for you" and be totally honest.

Menstruation is the price of having the ability to give birth. It's not like going through menstruation = having a child sometime in the future. As long as you don't have kids that must be a fun price to pay each month.

 

[WileyDairyGnome]

Sometimes though I think women get it easy when it comes to getting what you want because it's easier to have sympathy for a crying woman than a crying man 'cause that just looks ridiculous.. 😛

Also, a lot of the time, guys have the reputation to be irresponsible and immature. At my friend's work, her manager said that they weren't gonna hire any males at storefront because they don't trust them with the cash. 🙄

Women think that life is so easy for guys, but it's really not. We go through pressure from peers and the media as well. You see all these guys working out (GTL) and stuff because that's what is "hot" right now in the media, and we're made fun of if we don't play video games or don't talk about women like their objects. Life can be hard as a dude too.

But I'd still rather be one. 😛 I'm just saying, our lives aren't easy either.

 

[wickedtiger86]

Sometimes I kinda wish I was a guy because I pretty much take care of my whole household as breadwinner and housewife and it would be so nice to just have to do one of those things instead of both . . .

But then I remember that I love being a woman. I don't really care what assumptions people make of me because of my gender, so that's no biggie. And I just feel like there's something really earthy and intense about womanhood.

Not to say anything against what it's like to be a man, since I have no idea what that would feel like. Would be interesting to find out though. I could totally take like, a week as a dude, see how that goes. Experiments are cool. 😛

 

[kittenpoker]

Just want to pipe in quick to say I absolutely LOVED being pregnant. Having a life inside me, was the most incredible feeling ever. I always thought, before experiencing it for myself, that it must feel so weird... alien.... but it was amazing. The giving birth, well yeah... I never knew pain like that existed. 🙂 But hey, I kinda feel like I earned my combat stripes for that.

 

[Tillow4ever]

I love being as girl, as much as it pains me everytime aunt flow decides to show up. I wouldn't give it up for anything. I'm bi, so I could go either way, but I still enjoy being a girl. I would never want to change my gender.

I want to be the one that gets pregnant. Even though it's painful. I've thought about it my whole life. I want to be the one to give birth and stuff. I wouldn't still allow aunt flow to come to town if I didn't want kids so bad! lol

I'm happy being girly, even though I don't dress up half of the time. I like the fact that I CAN get girly and not be made fun of. My friend Hayden is gay and sometimes he wears make-up or the random tu-tu to school. People at lunch call him a fag and it makes me half want to cry and half beat their asses. So yeah... I couldn't deal with that. 🙁

But on the other hand. I have ALWAYS wanted to be a guy for just ONE day. I REALLY want to know what an erection feels like. Just sayin. 😀 😉 😛

 

[zobothehobo]

Once you have your child that's hopefully how you feel. People are different and I don't think people that haven't gone through it can actually tell if it's worth it or not. No matter if your stand before is a yes or no. I can never answer that based on personal knowledge. I'll just say that I could never say "I wish I could have this child for you" and be totally honest.

Menstruation is the price of having the ability to give birth. It's not like going through menstruation = having a child sometime in the future. As long as you don't have kids that must be a fun price to pay each month.

But even having the ability to give birth is a beautiful thing to me. I see them as one in the same because I have never once thought I would not be a mother. Even when I honestly thought that be alone for the rest of my life, I knew I would be a mom. And just the knowledge that I could do that, I could make a person, it's just incredible. Menstruation sucks... and every time I say something like "why is my body punishing me for NOT putting it through the stress of pregnancy/childbirth?" Then I remember what a beautiful thing it is that i can even say that... and it makes it all worth it.

 

[Cast No Shadow]

Is that still a major issue in this day and age?

YES. This is a huge issue. The average male manager is paid a basic salary of £41,337 but the average female boss is only on £31,306, and the glass ceiling is still very much in place. Women are less likely to get top jobs than men, largely due to employers fearing they'll get pregnant and take lots of paid maternity leave.

---------- Post added at 08:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:05 PM ----------

I love being female, I'd hate to be male. I'm so female that I can't even really consider what it'd be like to be male at all. I have quite a big group of friends, and a lovely boyfriend so the walking alone at night thing doesn't really bother me much, I usually have someone with me.

I know boys think putting make up on must be a chore, quote my boyfriend when I put foundation on, "I'd hate to have to brush something onto my skin every day", but I really like it, I feel transformed after I've put it on and about 10x more confident.

I know I sound really materialistic, but I love the variety in clothes, shoes, make up and underwear that girls have, I love fake tan, hair dye, straighteners...(man I don't think I've ever sounded so superficial!) I love getting served first at the bar, I love having female friends that I can talk to about anything...the list goes on and on.

Yeah menstruation sucks, but contraceptive pills solve that.

 

[WileyDairyGnome]

[MENTION=9754]Tillow4ever[/MENTION] agrees: Why would you talk about us like our objects?

I would never. But what I meant was how sometimes some guys treat women as a hole and brag about getting laid and stuff, and if you're actually committed with a woman your guy friends will make fun and say you're whipped.

We're not all like that of course, but there's some out there.

 

[Ripper666]

Well this is a different question, because none really know what it's like the be the oppposite sex for ,mnm, let's say about a month. I choose months becasue as Willow said once, She has three times a month inwhich she isn't very funny... And I would hate to have long hair, after a bath for example. Then you would have to fight against the suboriented position women have in society. So you have already noticed which side I chosed! I would stay male! But I wouldfind it very interesting to know how it is to be a girl for a short time!! But serious, is there anybody who want's to be rebirth as the opposide sex? Didn't noticed that since yet!

 

[Taake]

If you had the choice, no matter which one you are right now (and forever), would you choose to be a male or a female, and why?

Well I've always been a bit of a tomboy, I've never liked 'grooming' very much and have never entertained the idea of settling down with a family or anything. My friends are mainly male and will tease me that I don't qualify as a girl when they want opinions from girls on things (and I'll be like "ehm, I'm a giirl". It's very Eurotrip 😉)

But that said, I absolutely love being a girl. I think it's great to be one and I'm not sure what's so great about being a guy 🙂 So if I had the choice I would now and forever chose to remain a girl.

(Seeing earlier comments on salary etc I'm gonna add that I work in a "gender-free" line of work so gender doesn't affect our salary, if anything it's easier to get a job as a female because there are already so many males)

 

[EvilBuffy]

Like others have said, I'd like to see what it's like to be a guy for a day but I like being a girl overall. My main problem with being female is the fear of getting pregnant. Of course the super-happy-monthly-fun-time is also on my list of complaints. 😉

 

[Willow My Love]

I like being a female, and I'd choose to be this way.

Pretty much because I have fantastic ah, embraces? and I'd really hate to lose them. (sw)

 

[Washburne]

But that said, I absolutely love being a girl. I think it's great to be one and I'm not sure what's so great about being a guy 🙂 So if I had the choice I would now and forever chose to remain a girl.

What's so great about being a girl?

Has anyone said something different to what they are? No one want to be anyone else. There's too much unknown. We need [MENTION=7924]InsaneMystic[/MENTION] but since he stay out of The Bronze that won't happen.

I'd like to see a thread with the positive and negative of both genders.

 

[kittenpoker]

I'd like to see a thread with the positive and negative of both genders.

Yeah me too!

Maybe you should start one? 🙂

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

You always have such interesting thread ideas. 🙂

Honestly? I'd have chosen to be a man. Being a woman is difficult, and even in this day and age we lack the influence men have.

 

[MandaMeena]

Nope. It's pretty fun to thwart other people's expectations of you with your actual personality. I don't think they would look down at you for having a strong character (unless you're bossy and overbearing, I guess).

Again, see above about defying other people's expectations.

How can you say all of that and then end your post with:

Great thing about being female? Getting the guys to move stuff. You won't have to keep chairs or move cabinets because manual labour is for guys.

Seems a bit contradictory to me.

---------- Post added at 05:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:27 PM ----------

Sometimes though I think women get it easy when it comes to getting what you want because it's easier to have sympathy for a crying woman than a crying man 'cause that just looks ridiculous.. 😛

Hmmmm... seeing a woman cry has no effect on me, but a guy crying does. Huh.

---------- Post added at 06:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:33 PM ----------

Oops, I forgot to answer the question. I like being female even with the detriments it comes with. Of course, what I find to be negative might not seem bad to other women. Obviously, that monthly business is a bit of a pain in the arse. Then there's the whole gender-inequality issue and double standards.
I mean, if I could be a guy for a day, I would probably spend most of my time peeing on things while standing up. I mean... awesome! That's basically the only thing I have ever been jealous about. 😛

Of course, I think it's important to add that even though this thread might seem like a silly bit of fun to some people, the concept of wanting to be another gender, or feeling like you were born in the wrong body, is very important and very real for some people.