Why would anyone want to be a woman when they could be a man?

[Hannah]

Sorry, but I actually think that girl's genitals are really gross

I agree to an extent, I think they kind of look like The Predators face. I'm sure for the Predator that's fine but you won't catch me licking it.

[Teknoir]

I too consider not getting pregnant a big, big pro.

Also - I'd say women have higher expectations on them when it comes to personal grooming, and clothing choice. On average, they have to spend a lot more time on it.

Men's clothes are actually comfortable.

It's easier to do physical tasks without tits in the way. LIke working under lowered cars (though I will say - smaller hands also help in tight spots. Transmen have the advantage here for once!).

We don't have to shave / wax / pluck body hair.

We get to grow facial hair.

We may be expected to bring in the paycheck... but that means we get out of the housework! 

It's all perspective. Men are geared to think being a man is better, women are geared to think being a woman is better.

It's all very Brave New World, really . (I'm so glad I'm an Alpha a man... pass the soma)

[Northern Jane]

... but that means we get out of the housework!

Woah, hold on there fella! What fantasy world are you living in? This is 2009! Get off your lazy backside and help with the dishes! 

[Janet_Girl]

And get back to your dusting.  And get me another tea.


Janet

_{Had to follow you Jane}

[Silver]

Let's do this pro/con style (and this is just my opinion, so no offense to those of you who like the male bits):

Men -
Pro:
* Usually get paid more for the same amount of work.
* Can carry heavier things (usually)
* Don't have to suffer periods
* Uh, am I missing anything? Easier orgasms, clothes are more durable, can be assertive and not "a bitch," can sleep around without being criticized
* Judged less on attractiveness than women are

Con:
* Genitals are ugly.  Sorry, it's true. I would say all genitals are unattractive. But their function is not "look pretty"
* Orgasms are shorter and less fulfilling (scientifically guestimated)
* More and worse acne
* Can't get pregnant No way, that's a pro.
* Usually lose custody rights if they get divorced
* Usually have to pay money to ex-wife even without custody rights
* Subject to draft/conscription in many countries, many countries mandatory service for 2+ years
* Often expected to provide all or most of the income for the entire family
* More likely to be violent
* Expected not to admit to or talk about vulnerable emotions unemotional men aren't rejected socially like unemotional women are.
* Hurts a zillion times more if you get kicked in the gonads. If you managed to kick a woman in the ovaries, she'd be in the emergency room. Serious internal bleeding would happen, possibly coupled with a broken pelvis. Much easier to kick testicles though.
* I'm sure there's some I've forgotten.

Women -
Pro:
* More clothing options
* Less clothing expectations
* Can admit vulnerablity and talk about emotions without being ridiculed
* Can get pregnant
* Usually get custody rights
* Less acne
* Usually not subject to draft or mandatory service (only exception I can think of is Israel)
* Less violent
* Not always expected to provide most/all income for family
* (In my opinion) more attractive physical features
* Better/more orgasms

Con:
* Periods
* More likely to be subject to violence from men (I blame men for this)
* In some countries, expected to put family over personal ambition (but this is personal choice)
* More pressure to conform to some ideal of beauty
* Usually get paid less for same work
* Female genital mutilation, it happens in some countries
* Lower social status
* Breasts are painful and get in the way of things
* Get objectified by men more than they objectify them
* More possibility for rape
* More fear
* Less likely to get hired based on sex

I'm sure people in the man-camp have more pros on the men side and more cons on the women side, but from my perspective it's pretty slanted towards woman-are-better . Yes I do.

[Ryuu]

Con:
* Genitals are ugly.  Sorry, it's true. (As a gay guy, I have to disagree with that. )
* Can't get pregnant (Pro if ever I heard one)

[K8]

It's easier to do physical tasks without tits in the way. LIke working under lowered cars.

Thank goodness I'm not expected to crawl under there anymore!  Now I can get the men to do it for me.  What do you think eyelashes are for?

*Kate gives a look of helplessness, blinking in wonder at the manliness about her*

- Kate

[rejennyrated]

Thank goodness I'm not expected to crawl under there anymore!

Funny thing is I did far more of that sort of thing after SRS that I ever did before...

In a funny sort of way I have found that being physically female has freed me up to enjoy some aspects of behaviour more traditionally associated with being a man. It's almost like I can enjoy them now that I can do them as a gender rebel!

I know, I know I'm just weird 

[LordKAT]

Funny thing is I did far more of that sort of thing after SRS that I ever did before...

In a funny sort of way I have found that being physically female has freed me up to enjoy some aspects of behaviour more traditionally associated with being a man. It's almost like I can enjoy them now that I can do them as a gender rebel!

I know, I know I'm just weird 

Weird? Not on your life. It must feel good to be comfortable in who you are. I hope to get to that point.

[Lachlann]

Funny thing is I did far more of that sort of thing after SRS that I ever did before...

In a funny sort of way I have found that being physically female has freed me up to enjoy some aspects of behaviour more traditionally associated with being a man. It's almost like I can enjoy them now that I can do them as a gender rebel!

I know, I know I'm just weird 

No you're not. My mom did all that sort of stuff while my dad was a teacher and never really did the 'manly' stuff. And my mom is far from 'butch'.

[Suzy]

Funny thing is I did far more of that sort of thing after SRS that I ever did before...

In a funny sort of way I have found that being physically female has freed me up to enjoy some aspects of behaviour more traditionally associated with being a man. It's almost like I can enjoy them now that I can do them as a gender rebel!

I know, I know I'm just weird 

Well OK I do not know of anything more sexy than a woman who is unafraid to get down and dirty, yet still able to get glam.  For me, that is what it is all about being a woman.  Freedom.

Kristi

[YellowDaisy]

you might as well turn that pro and con list into a sticky 

[jmaxley]

I too am in the camp that thinks not being able to get pregnant is a pro.  Having to shove something the size of a watermelon out of something that's usually the size of a pencil...ouch.  No thanks! 

[YellowDaisy]

I too am in the camp that thinks not being able to get pregnant is a pro.  Having to shove something the size of a watermelon out of something that's usually the size of a pencil...ouch.  No thanks! 

i'm mtf, and that's how i see it. i have no desire to get pregnant or have monthly cramps. it wouldn't make me feel more or less female. girls who haven't had their periods yet can't get pregnant,but no one thinks they are anything less than female.

[K8]

When I was first transitioning, every woman I mentioned not being able to mentruate to assured me I wasn't missing a thing.

And, being in my sixties, I take the inability to get pregnant as a blessing - just like almost every other woman my age.

- Kate