I think most trans women and cis women have their own opinions on what "living as a woman" is and how best to do it. We're all doing it slightly differently, though admittedly you're right - a lot of what people think "living as a woman" is comes down to stereotypes. But that applies across the board to all women, I know plenty of cis women who act like getting their hair did is affirming of their womanhood
I agree with you on the first point. I have asked many transwomen what it means to live as a woman and no one can ever answer.
If you ask them why they KNOW they are a woman or want to be a woman the answers are some of the following :
- I don’t indentify with many aspect of modern masculinity and feel out of step with some other men
- I enjoy the “ women as decorative objects “ aspect of modern femininity
- I am sexually aroused by the Idea of myself as a woman and by forcing others , especially women, to say that I am female and for me to be allowed into their private spaces.
- I feel unhappy and confused in life and hope that acting in this different way will bring me peace and contentment.
If you ask born women why they are women they say
- Biology , genes , bodies
- Shared experience of being oppressed as women - wifework , default child and elder carer, paid and promoted less, domestic violence, rape and sexual assault,
I have NEVER heard a biological woman say that the only reason she know she is a woman / lives like one is that she enjoys going to the hairdressers .
I have NEVER met a TW who has taken on any of the “ women as default carer” role that actually defines “ being a woman “ for most born women.
I’ve yet to meet one who gave up their career to be a SAMP because their partner earned more. And who now works back shift on the till in Asda and takes their granny out at weekends. Or who is raising their kids on their own on the breadline while their kids ex lives the affluent single life.
No one seems to want the “ woman as default carer and paid less for the same job “ kind of womanhood. That’s the kind of “ living as a woman “ that is reality for most of us.