Why do you enjoy being a woman?

Noting in particular, I just like being a person. Pregnancy/birth/bf I didn’t see as amazing or spectacular, it’s just a function of female mammals. My relationship with my son is amazing but that’s not because I’m a woman. I’d give life a whirl as a man next time out of curiosity.

I’m happy enough being a woman gorbthe most part, but I could do without the periods, and fertility has been totally wasted on me, as I have never wanted children, really, I just am what I am.

This is a really interesting question and so are the answers....
When I was a child I always thought boys were lucky to be boys because they had more fun and could do more things - probably a reflection on my upbringing and the era I was born into. I never wanted to be a boy but I was envious of the fact that they seemed to do "more adventurous" stuff like climbing trees and sports which were not considered suitable for girls.
When I was in secondary education this extended to girls having to do cookery and sewing (which I hated) and boys being lucky enough to do woodwork (which I asked to do and was refused). This wouldn't happen in today's world in the UK....at least, I hope not.

Because of my childhood experience, I grew up thinking being female wasn't much fun and I didn't enjoy it.
But years later I have changed my mind....the change has come about gradually. My children are grown up and I am now divorced, so free to do what I like, progress career-wise as I wish and to take up hobbies I am intereted in. I am much happier being 'my own person', I have learned how to use a drill and other DIY tools, I travel on my own to various 'adventurous' (and sometimes dangerous) parts of the world, for instance. And I have now realised I am happy being female, quite content with it and happy 'in my own gender'. Therefore in that sense, I really enjoy being a woman, because I love and enjoy the life I have, as the person I am.

What interests me are the replies where many posters say they value having grown a child inside them, or motherhood, or giving birth. I have had children, it was fine, but I didn't (and don't) particularly value it and I'm not sure I enjoyed it that much either. And I don't define myself at all by motherhood, breastfeeding, childbirth etc., these things wouldn't have even occured to me to be part of my enjoyment of being female at all.....

I can't really think of anything that I like about being female.

I don't hate it, in the sense that I love my husband and children and wouldn't have them if I wasn't female. But pregnancy and childbirth were overwhelming misery interspersed with brief moments of 'aw, I can feel the baby move, that's so lovely'. And I can't think of anything in day to day life where being a woman is better.

To be honest, I feel a little uncomfortable about making lists like these, as instead of celebrating it, or almost ends up defining womanhood in ways which can be appropriated (if I can do xyz, I can be a woman too), whereas boringly, it's just a matter of biology.

This. And I think it’s bonkers to feel sorry for men as they can’t give birth, they wouldn’t want to! No need to feel sorry for them.

It’s interesting that a few have said about being pregnant as their reason. I wouldn’t count that personally as any female animal can do that, i would think the best things about being a woman are having the friendships and relationships from a woman’s perspective. That is truly unique to womankind.

It just so happens coincidentally the list of advantages MRAs carry on about. Purely a coincidence, I'm sure.

The post above sounds like it was written by a man pretending to be a woman.

Wow, OK... I don't expect everyone to feel the same way as me. And I know some of the things I mentioned sound a bit trivial and silly. But I think it's sad you would dismiss the feelings and opinions of another woman by accusing her of being a man in disguise. For the record, I'm 100% biologically female and these are the things I genuinely enjoy about being a woman. I think there's plenty of shitty things about being female too, if you'd like me to list those

I agree with you Otter.

Why do I enjoy being a woman? I do not. No more do I enjoy being left handed. Both have been an uphill battle.
I love my women friends and I like floating in water. I like that animals are not afraid of me. I like that children and women are not afraid of me.

The post above sounds like it was written by a man pretending to be a woman.

I’m not sure I do any more, since it’s been annexed for the trans cause. I just find myself upset on a daily basis at how we are being eroded. By ‘we’ I mean biological women.

It's very superficial, but I like being able to wear dresses, make-up, heels and sparkly stuff etc. I mean obviously men can do that too, but they're likely to get a lot of abuse for it.

I like that, as a woman, I'm not the one who's traditionally expected to make the first move and ask someone out on date. I'm too shy and socially awkward to ever do that.

I like that, as a woman, I'm not seen as a threat. Men are often treated suspiciously and as potential sex attackers or paedophiles, just for being male.

I like that I have control over my fertility. If I ever accidentally got pregnant and didn't want the baby, I could have an abortion. Whereas men don't really have a say. And (whilst I'm entirely pro-choice) I feel very sad for men who want to keep the baby, but their partner chooses to abort.

I like a bit of male chivalry, on occasion. For example when I'm travelling somewhere and a random man helps me with a heavy suitcase. It just gives me a nice feeling.

I like that, as a woman, I'm not expected to be tough all the time. I can be emotional and cry (on occasion) and not be mocked for being a wimp, like a man might be.

And I like that I have a curvy female body. I think that women's bodies are a lot more attractive than men's. And I'm glad our genitals are tucked away, instead of flopping around!

I don’t, I just enjoy being me. Except when I don’t enjoy being me.

I look better naked than men. Doesn't matter exactly what my figure's like, I just look better naked than men.

Fission no, you're not the only one [needs feeling left out emoticon] [puzzled] will have to do instead. Mind you the ones I have are still pretty bloody amazing, and do seem to last longer than the male variety.

I found pregnancy pretty uncomfortable, but it was still bloody amazing to be able to grow a complete human being from scratch. Still can't quite get over that one a decade later.

Other than that, mostly I just feel like a human being. I do like the fact that my socialisation means it's just easier to talk to people/form friendships, specially female friendships. (My friendships with men are brilliant too, but very blokey, centred round doing stuff rather than emotions - so if they do feel the need to open up emotionally, I find it a really weird experience. Whereas that just feels normal with my female friends. But I'm sure this is socialisation rather than innate).

Being entirely free and independent and funny and kind, a mother, a daughter, a sister and a friend. And no one tells me what to do or what to feel, or where to go or when to eat, or what to wear or how to spend my money. Everything I have I earned myself.

I loved being pg too. Feeling my babies wriggling and kicking was amazing and I feel sad for men that they never get to experience that in the same way.

I also love my body - I think women are much nicer to look at and I like having soft skin. I know men could moisturise but they don't really. Also willies are a bit ugly and while I am fond of my dh's, men on the whole, really do need to grasp the fact that dick pics are unappealing to most women.

I also like that it was okay for me to be a sahm. No one thought it was weird, like they might have done if dh had done it.

Call me shallow but I also enjoy the make and clothes.

But mostly it is being able to grow a human - that is the most amazing thing ever.

Don't know. I'm just me, and actually the older I get, the angrier I get about the misogyny which just seems to be part and parcel of life.

Oh, great conversation. I've always been a bit put off by the thought process that goes "Being a woman is crap. Childbirth and sexism and uncomfortable shoes. Therefore, give me virtue credits." I'd rather celebrate what I am than belittle my state. On my list would be: not having to care about sports, being able to dress up when I want and down when I want, and not having to make every-bloody-thing into a competition.
Mind, I always used to hang around with more men than women. The sexes are better off with each other.
We've almost all mentioned "growing humans". It's been transformative for me. I never thought I'd have kids, or that I'd enjoy it if I did. But then I did. I bloody loved being pregnant, once I got over the feeling sick stage. I blossomed, burgeoned, flourished, was fascinated by the strong little body cradled within my own. And as I grew larger I was welcomed within a global feminine embrace. Never have I felt so beloved, never so powerful, never so knitted within the greater world. I always thought myself dysfunctional, physically and socially. Growing my son exorcised those fears and gave me a double vindication.

Call me crazy but, being pregnant and giving birth . Yes it's uncomfortable, messy, unglamorous, painful, scary... etc but it's also
bloody amazing. I still remember so clearly feeling my kids in my belly - I look at how big they are now and I'm just still blown away. I don't think I would want to swap that experience with their Dad.

I like knowing that I've been forced to think harder than men, look harder, analyse more, because the things they take for granted (and I took for granted when I was young) have conflicted with my life experience, because I got treated differently from the way they did- because I was female - and I noticed that and they didn't.

Being an outsider makes you sharper.

Very little if I'm honest.

I struggle to think of anything I do as a woman that I couldn't as a man that doesn't have negative connotations.

I know some women revel in motherhood, but tbh I can't see myself loving my DS less if I'd not gestated, BF and birthed him.

I'd be happy to have enjoyed fertility without periods.

I'd have enjoyed a career in a male dominated industry without having to constantly prove myself to be "better than" my counter parts to get the same level of success.

I wouldn't have to wear a bloody bra.

Atm all I can think of is not having to wear a tie and having to shave my face.

Bringing children into the world and your body creating those children
And friendships

The trust I have automatically from people because I am not male and not a threat. I can have more relaxed and friendly conversations with strangers

I mentioned similar on a thread about how your day would be different if you were a man. Mine was things like being in trains or at the opera on my own where women will speak to each other. In these situations single men don't or only engage once the conversation has got going.

I loved being pregnant but am not overwhelmed by the growing another human bit (possibly because I grew up on a stock farm and growing young things is what female animals do) I hated breastfeeding. It was the only time I didn't like being a woman.

Clothes, shoes, jewellery are just so much nicer.

According to my husband being allowed to be useless at, and completely uninterested in, sport is one advantage of being a woman.