To ask what being female means to you?

[Toorahtoorahaye]

Thought mumsnet might be a good place to ask as it’s mostly populated by women. I’ve always thought of being female simply as being the sex that the conceives, carries and gives birth etc. Seen this thread on twitter and the OP seems to be being vastly outnumbered in what i thought was a simple view of what “female” is. So wondered what it means to people here, how you would define “female” mobile.twitter.com/DeborahJaneOrr/status/1109031908162396161

[picklemepopcorn]

The things that I only do/experience because I am female. I could not do them if I was Male.

Ovulate.
Menstruate
Suffer period pain
Become pregnant.
Give birth etc.

[hazeyjane]

so if a woman is infertile or never has a period, or is post menopausal...

...she is still of the class of human that produces eggs.

[WeepingWillowWeepingWino]

Female is the class of mammal with the potential to produce eggs and bear young. People are forever missing that word out and yet it’s key to the definition, and thus includes everyone who’s female reproductive system is on the frtiz for whatever reason.

[AssassinatedBeauty]

Of course not. Because they are a member of the reproductive class of humans who can produce eggs. That doesn't mean each individual can or does for the whole of their lifetime, or at all. But they are sure as hell never going to produce sperm.

[FuzzyLilac]

I grew a human being. Men cannot do that.
In fact I grew 4, two at the same time!

Having babies does not define me or any other female. I am of the sex that can.
No male will ever give birth but every female born is of the sex that can.

[thedisorganisedmum]

so if a woman is infertile or never has a period, or is post menopausal - does that mean she isn’t female?

I think it's more that if you ask mothers the making babies part is a huge deal! If you had ask them before they ever thought about getting pregnant, you would have had very different answers.

[Toorahtoorahaye]

Having babies does not define me or any other female. I am of the sex that can.
No male will ever give birth but every female born is of the sex that can.

I like this but most folk on twitter on that thread seemed to disagree.

[SovietKitsch]

🤷🏻‍♀️ I’m just me and never been anything else. So no idea what part of me is female and what is just me or if that is even divisible.

[beebreath]

Being female - boobs , vagina and no penis

[FuzzyLilac]

I like this but most folk on twitter on that thread seemed to disagree.

Twitter is not real life.
It is a biscuit tin that narcs shout in to.

Average Joe knows what a female is. For most they are non males, as in no dicks.
Ignore twitter it is a puddle of delusion on the edge of a reality reservoir.

[SovietKitsch]

Apart from the obvious - my body and the female things it does. Is that all that makes me a woman? I don’t know. People have always told me my behaviour is quite “male” - but I don’t feel at all male. But then I don’t feel female either!

[AssassinatedBeauty]

@SovietKitsch those people are being sexist, by describing human qualities as "male".

[itsbritneybiatches]

What do your chromosomes say
You are.


The end

[DarkElf]

Biology made me female and my experiences made me a woman. A man has neither the biology or experiences and that is fact.

Can we have this on a T shirt (or Billboard?).

[Spokk]

come on ladies followed by blah blah this us how you should feel/behave/respond. Yeah, I mean no. I get enough of that bullshit in real life.

[Aveeno2017]

Periods from the age of 11,then the menapouause at 47...mother nature was a bitch!!

[Bookworm01]

I know I am female because I have boobs and genitalia that are female. I have borne a child, and tried to breastfeed her (body failed). I have female chromosomes. My body is shaped with larger hips and smaller waist, so I look female. I am a Mama Bear, defending my baby from harm much to my daughter's embarrassment.

Part of my work is giving out information. I know I am female because males ask me for directions then ask a male colleague shortly after...to get the same answer. Or males will ask me for directions and then look it up on Google to make sure. Or not bother asking me at all, but ignore my very existence, and walk past me to ask a male colleague.

I know I am female because a manager once asked me if I was going to go part-time after my baby was born, and was visibly shocked when I said no. I had to remind him the baby had two parents.

I am not c*s, or egg provider, or womb space. I am a woman, because I just am.

[DarkElf]

thedisorganisedmum

Is that country you live in at the top of The Magic Faraway Tree?

[Ithinkmycatisevil]

Having a vagina, and all the internal baby growing bits which means I'm not a man?

[quietcontentment]

Bearing children. Other than that I am, well, me quiet contentment. Being female has simply allowed me to have my two most treasured things and I feel blessed for that, beyond that I don't really think much about it really.

[Usingmyindoorvoice]

Periods
Breast discomfort
Wanted pregnancies
Unwanted pregnancies
Miscarriage
Abortion
Breast cancer
Menopause

[Bookworm01]

By the way imo not having a baby makes a woman no less female, it was just that I personally could grow a baby in my womb if I wished to. Personal choice.

[quietcontentment]

Just like to add, I know some women can't have kids naturally, that doesnt make them any less of a female as the desire will or can still be there.

[AssassinatedBeauty]

Being female isn't a sliding scale where you can be more or less female. You either are or you aren't.

[FuzzyLilac]

Lets face it.

NO FEMALE WAS BORN WITH A DICK.