AIBU to wonder how close Mums Netters are to the 'gender norm' ?

[Mellowautumn]

Do you conform to the western 'gender norm' for women? I can do maths, have short hair, never wear a dress and like cars. I am however a Mother and love make up and shopping. I am pretty average among my friends and just cannot connect with the idea that anything apart from my biological woman bits makes me a woman. How do you measure up and is their anything that makes you a woman apart from your biology ?

I have a big bag of popcorn ready for this thread

I am pretty similar to you. Short hair, always in jeans but I love make up. In terms of personality, I have no problem with conflict, I like politics and current affairs. Sadly, the latter often marks me out as different to a lot of women I know.

What is the western gender norm ? Just so i can answer

araiba - me too

Like MrsJayy I have no idea what this western woman template of which you speak actually is, so can't say whether I fit it or not...I think preferences based on sex are bollocks though, so tend to ignore such things

MrsJayy your own understanding or not knowing or whatever is enough - the fact that it isn't really fixed and is mutable is possibly what makes it such a shit thing to define people by ?

i found myself alone on Monday night! No dh or kids.

I picked out a DVD and realised I had no idea how to load it, what channel to turn to and had to call my dd. She warbled on about HDMI cables and I sadly realised I am lazy and allow my dh and kids to do s the technical stuff.

A western woman template is a really interesting idea. Obviously, people will argue about but I'd say have a look at the actresses at the Oscars. They look like clones of one another.

Well you didnt really answer my question what do you mean by the western norm ?

Pirate - most of the men I know are considerably less interested in politics and discussion than me :)

But they are actesses on a glam night out they are all going to look glam

I know that MrsJayy but I'm referring to things like their hair, their body shape, the choices they make with their clothes. They look like clones to me. Anybody who looks different to this is slated by the media.

I am me. I just do what I think is best for me when coming to my appearance or likes/dislikes.

The gender norm according to who?

I like wearing make up. I like looking after my baby niece (no kids of my own, do not want any), I also cry when I hurt myself/am upset and am rubbish at DIY/parking.

However, I ride downhill mountain bikes (used to do it semi-professionally when younger), do not like cooking or housework and loathe crafts.

Make of that you willl. I am person before I am a woman, if that makes sense.

I'm just me, I happen to be female living in a western country.

Rudelf - exactly :)

Oh dear lots of us are just people and don't know what the gender norm is supposed to be - I'm so surprised

Are you trying to be sarcastic? Hard to tell.

I know what you mean.

I never wear a dress, am always in jeans and a jumper/hoody but put a nice top in for going out.
I wear heels, but am just as often in boots or trainers, I wear make up every day and have bobbed hair.
Am interested in a wide range of topics, am very good at maths and worked for 20 yrs as an engineer, usually one of only a couple of women and always covered in dirt and grease in a pair of overalls.
Had regular manicures and facials throughout that time too.

I am me, the only thing that defines male or female / man or woman about me is my biological sex.
Do I live or present as a 'woman', yes - because I am. I am me - an adult biological female.

What is your fucking question??

Twosocks - yes sarcastic - sorry if its hard to tell :)

My whole point is gender is as social construct that changes over time and from culture to culture - its not a fixed biological feature.

You might as well have asked "is your favourite colour the same as someone else's favourite colour?"

You havent definied who someone else is or what they say their favourite colour is. What answers are you expecting?