To ask what it is to be a woman?

[Breathlessness]

If it’s not about chromosomes; if having a vagina and giving birth doesn’t = woman and having a penis doesn’t = man? What does make a woman?

Being and adult of the sex that produces large gametes (eggs), gestates and gives birth to young.

So if we don't give birth, through choice or circumstances, are we not still women?

This type of 'question' comes up a lot. As an infertile woman I find it insulting and belittling.

That’s the millionth dollar question that everyone seems unable to answer when your points are removed, isn’t it.

Thingsdogetbetter of course you are still a woman.

@Thingsdogetbetter of course you're a woman. You are an adult of the sex that produces large gametes (eggs), gestates and gives birth to young.

Actually giving birth is irrelevant, it's your sex that's the important

So if we don't give birth, through choice or circumstances, are we not still women?

This type of 'question' comes up a lot. As an infertile woman I find it insulting and belittling

Of course you are. You’re of the class that can produce eggs and give birth to young.

This type of question comes up a lot
Can't think why, really. Everyone already knows the answer, and if they don't it's very easy to google it.

I’m sorry I upset you ThingsDoGetBetter. I’m asking about how you define what a woman is if biology isn’t relevant. I don’t think giving birth defines being a woman. I don’t think clothes or makeup do either.

Being born a female of the human species defines being a woman. Nothing more, nothing less. All the rest is personality.

If your born with a vagina, you are a woman
If your born with a cock, you are a man

Wear what you like, identity as a man/woman/unicorn but you can NOT change the fact of what you were born as

Why is it not about chromosomes? Surely women have XX and men have XY and that’s the end of it?

Being an adult human female

Being an adult of the sex that produces large gametes (eggs), gestates and gives birth to young.

That is it

It is purely biological

If you use the chromosomes argument reindeer someone comes at you about DSDs.

A woman is an adult human of the female sex.

Nowadays, it is about not being able to have an opinion and stand up for your rights without being arrested, sacked or being called derogatory names.

XX - anything else is just performance

I read this line somewhere on MN ( I think) recently. It completely sums it up memorably for me.

Being and adult of the sex that produces large gametes (eggs), gestates and gives birth to young

Having the gametes
The potential to conceive & gestate & birth

Also people try to throw around the idea of "intersex" as if it disproves this definition. 2 things to say about that:

Just because a very small proportion of the population (around 1% or so) have this condition, doesn't invalidate the definition - it means there is a very small accidental variance as per the system of sexual reproduction & chromosonal mix. In fact, it is proof that we are a sexually dimorphic species that there are occasional "abnormalities." (although I'm trying to find a better word than that)

Just because some people are born blind or deaf does not invalidate the fact that humans are a seeing and hearing species.

Increasingly, people with intersex conditions are referring to them as DSD - "disorders of sexual development."

Be automatically assumed wrong until proven right there as a man is automatically assumed right until shown to be wrong.

When my DM gave birth to me (also a woman) I had a vagina of my own. That's it for me, what you're born with. Some dont agree I know. There is no changing it. I dont agree with clothes, make up etc make you one either.

If you use the chromosomes argument reindeer someone comes at you about DSDs
If your genitals match your chromosomes at birth you don’t have DSD - you’re either male or female.

If you die and are buried, in 100 years, if someone digs you up they will know you are/were a woman.

Bone structure, DNA, whatever, but, biology definitely is what it comes down to.

A woman is whatever men say they should be,

Same as has always been the case.
And those that do not comply are ridiculed /lambasted/punished.

More accurately it's not having a Y Chromasome.

If you Menstruate, Gestate and/or Lactate, you are a woman. If not, do not Ejaculate because that's a dead giveaway.