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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How you know...

52 replies

SmileEachDay · 18/09/2017 20:07

AIBU to ask you how you know you're a woman?

What are your life experiences that illustrate your woman-ness?

fairplayforwomen.com/i-knew-i-was-a-woman

OP posts:
Hotpinkangel19 · 18/09/2017 20:09

Is this serious? 😂 I'm a woman because I was born a woman!!!

Original poster
SmileEachDay · 18/09/2017 20:13

Deadly serious Hotpink

OP posts:
Crumbs1 · 18/09/2017 20:14

What an odd question. I was born female so grew up to be a woman. Simples.

pigsDOfly · 18/09/2017 20:15

Not a lot anyone can add to that really.

Ttbb · 18/09/2017 20:15

Because I am most definitely not a man, not at all masculine, boy even a tiny bit, in no way could I e we imagine myself as a man. Just not a man. Full stop.

pigsDOfly · 18/09/2017 20:15

To the article you linked to OP, is what I mean.

Whiterabbitears · 18/09/2017 20:19

I've carried and given birth to two babies, no man can do that.

Original poster
SmileEachDay · 18/09/2017 20:19

Is it an odd question?

How has being a woman affected your life?

OP posts:
Datun · 18/09/2017 20:21

I'm a woman because I was born one. Of course. There is no other criteria.

But the second part of the question is interesting.

How does that impact me?

I bleed, I breed, I feed. It's not what makes me female. But it's how being female affects me.

What if I didn't?

Would I stop being cat called? Would people listen to me? Would those three things give me some kind of Teflon coating if I didn't do them?

These questions are always revealing.

Nothing makes me a female other than my biology.

My biology impacts me. Always.

Guiltybystander · 18/09/2017 20:23

I'm a gay man in a female body.

Datun · 18/09/2017 20:26

Guiltybystander

Oooh yes! If only. All the advantages. And none of the crap.

GinIsIn · 18/09/2017 20:29

Chromosomes.

Datun · 18/09/2017 20:29

That's a brilliant article, OP.

Yes, I know I'm a woman because my body does stuff that it doesn't do for men. I look in the mirror.

For many women, it's a huge celebration. For some, tragically, it's a disaster.

Why? That's the million dollar question.

We are just one side of the human coin.

gettinfedduppathis · 18/09/2017 20:33

What are your life experiences that illustrate your woman-ness?

Well, giving birth, for starters... I could go on, but I really can't be arsed.

Slimthistime · 18/09/2017 20:34

as far as I'm concerned, biology.

Original poster
SmileEachDay · 18/09/2017 20:40

How does thAt biology present though Slim? What are the points in your life where you "know" you're a woman?

OP posts:
Louiselouie0890 · 18/09/2017 20:40

The moment I felt that ring of fire haha

ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay · 18/09/2017 20:40

I was born with ovaries and a womb. I grew two children in my womb and fed them milk from my breasts. I am a woman.

Wearing a frock does not make someone a woman.

Flumplet · 18/09/2017 20:45

I was born a girl and endured all the crap that comes along with that "label". I've earned my womanhood. It's not all pretty dresses, big boobs and lip gloss options.

Original poster
SmileEachDay · 18/09/2017 20:46

What crap, Flump? How did your womaning make crap happen?

OP posts:
Slimthistime · 18/09/2017 20:49

OP well I suppose you always know as soon as you are old enough to know about biological sex and/or see your own privates and understand what they are and how they differ from the other sex.

but if you want a point after that, periods. Which I started - incredibly distressingly - at 9. I would have taken ANY drug on offer to stop that - happily I went on the Pill at 17 which made them less awful.

as an adult, the time I really feel it is when someone questions "Ms" whether in real life or online. Men never ever face a battle to declare, or not, their marital status.

I suppose you could argue every time I get my "period" and my Pill script now as well. Or buy a bra. Fucking hell they are expensive.

oh and going to the "men's" toiletries section where I often find the same shower gel lurking, but in a man coloured bottle - and cheaper.

Datun · 18/09/2017 20:51

Today 20:40 ItsLikeRainOnYourWeddingDay

I was born with ovaries and a womb. I grew two children in my womb and fed them milk from my breasts. I am a woman.

Wearing a frock does not make someone a woman.

^^this

It doesn't make you a woman, by a long stretch. But it certainly does not make you a man.

Out2pasture · 18/09/2017 20:53

ummmm well I was born with female genitals and went on to develop breasts and achieve menarche....I bore children.
I have enjoyed friendships with others who have similar backgrounds, and life experiences.
physically I am weaker than the burly men in my family.

LongWavyHair · 18/09/2017 20:56

I know I'm a woman because I was born a girl and then I grew in to a woman. As you do.

I love being female and always have done.

Datun · 18/09/2017 20:56

Slimthistime

oh and going to the "men's" toiletries section where I often find the same shower gel lurking, but in a man coloured bottle - and cheaper.

Yes. What is that all about ?

My (late) mother used men's aftershave. Because she liked the smell. Boy, did she get grief.

She said me, not only do I like it, it's half the price!

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