Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

What can boys do that girls can't do?

249 replies

RequiresUpdating · 27/06/2023 17:14

DD(11)'s homework
If you're a girl: is there something, that you would be able to do if you were a boy, that you can't do as a girl?

She has rejected my suggestions of:
look for something that is lost
multi-tasking
going to the toilet standing up (she has a shewee, and says she would be too embarrassed to write that on her homework)

What is the best answer to this question?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
mangoontoast · 27/06/2023 18:08

JFDIYOLO · 27/06/2023 18:06

Universally only boys/men can

Develop from XY chromosomes
Produce semen and sperm
Father a baby
Commit rape (in law)
Develop an Adam's apple
Develop prostate, testicular, penile cancer

In this country only men can

Inherit titles such as baronetcies, earldoms etc
Join the masons
Become Catholic priests

Culturally and in many countries only boys/men can

Have an education
Graduate
Get a job
Own their own money and property
Divorce their spouse
Choose not to marry
Testify in court
Travel alone or with other members of their sex
Show their hair
Wear trousers

In this country only girls/women are

Told to be kind
Put up with being re-spelt, redefined
Expected to shut up, shove up, and put up with their rights being bulldozed by the opposite sex
Expected to submit as adults to sex-specific surgical procedures with zero anaesthetic and often without warning or proper consent

What does the last point refer to? Not arguing, genuinely don't know.

WontSomebodyThinkOfTheOtters · 27/06/2023 18:08

All my thoughts are a bit depressing tbh. I suppose on the bright side as a girl she can't have Klinefelter syndrome...

AuditAngel · 27/06/2023 18:12

Be a Sperm donor?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Champagneforeveryone · 27/06/2023 18:12

UnaOfStormhold · 27/06/2023 17:17

Have a biological child without going through pregnancy?

This is literally the only thing I can think of that is truly beyond the capability of a girl.

Oblomov23 · 27/06/2023 18:13

Loads of things. And that's fine. Why is this an issue?

placemats · 27/06/2023 18:14

Keep the toilet seat up without being told off.

Interrupt a conversation and have everyone listen to your valued opinion.

Fanlover1122 · 27/06/2023 18:15

Mummytolittleones92 · 27/06/2023 18:03

And it depends exactly what you mean by ‘go for it’ 😬

They can do the course to see if they pass selection. Thus far, no woman has passed.

veryfluffyfluff · 27/06/2023 18:17

tolerable · 27/06/2023 18:05

if you are a boy you can trans /identify as woman
you can not do that if you are a girl(already)

Surely a woman can identify as a woman?

Pallisers · 27/06/2023 18:20

Inherit your father's title
become a roman catholic priest

If I were her, I'd answer for the girls of Afghanistan.

Redlarge · 27/06/2023 18:22

Weaponise incompetence.
Wee standing up.

viques · 27/06/2023 18:22

All the ones I can think of are to do with religion, becoming a RC priest, or Pope, becoming a leader in some Christian sects like Mormons and Jehovahs Witnesses, worshipping in the main part of some synagogues and mosques.

Relaxd · 27/06/2023 18:22

Pretty sure the question is supposed to highlight oppression and hurdles in society. Best answer is to let her answer it herself and take part in the discussion at school that assumedly will follow.

BeachBlondey · 27/06/2023 18:22

Impregnate someone
Get prostate cancer
Walk alone at night
Over power women

None of which you can really put in an 11 y/o homework!

StarmanBobby · 27/06/2023 18:22

Have people listen without being constantly interrupted or corrected
walk down the street without being catcalled
Or being told to smile
be a bishop in most churches
Be taken seriously at work under the age of 30 -
Be taken seriously at work over the age of 45
Have a family AND a successful time career

Purplefoxes · 27/06/2023 18:23

MissyB1 · 27/06/2023 17:19

These, plus own a Y chromosome!

@MissyB1 well actually...some girls DO have a Y chromosome! It's called Swyer syndrome and their make up is XY but something happens to stop the genes on the Y chromosome expressing. Usually they are infertile though. However some born with a uterus so could give birth with assistance (donor eggs).

viques · 27/06/2023 18:23

Manspreading. Mansplaining.

Redlarge · 27/06/2023 18:24

Grow up with the very low bar of expectation and excessive praise for basic acts.

StarmanBobby · 27/06/2023 18:24

She'd be able to wear what she wanted without judgement

Usernamenotavailab · 27/06/2023 18:25

Champagneforeveryone · 27/06/2023 18:12

This is literally the only thing I can think of that is truly beyond the capability of a girl.

Surrogacy.

MillicentTrilbyHiggins · 27/06/2023 18:26

Champagneforeveryone · 27/06/2023 18:12

This is literally the only thing I can think of that is truly beyond the capability of a girl.

What if you had your egg implanted into a surrogate ? The child would be biologically yours wouldn't it?

DrySherry · 27/06/2023 18:27

Girls can't sit in front of the TV scratching their sweaty nuts, thankfully.

veryfluffyfluff · 27/06/2023 18:27

Sleep around and not be judged negatively for it

veryfluffyfluff · 27/06/2023 18:28

viques · 27/06/2023 18:23

Manspreading. Mansplaining.

Excellent

Wolfpa · 27/06/2023 18:28

MillicentTrilbyHiggins · 27/06/2023 18:05

Not under the English legal definition they can't
Although apologies for assuming OP is in England.

What about a teacher sleeping with a student?

massiveclamps · 27/06/2023 18:28

@RequiresUpdating What question have they asked the boys, I wonder...

Have they asked the boys what girls can't do that they can, or have they asked them what girls can do but they can't?

I'd be more interested in finding out the boys' replies to be honest!