| Oh geez, lookit this topic...where, oh where do I even begin... Oh yes, I'd volunteer for it, and be happy to do so. As far as I'm concered I came out wrong the first time, but I'd never dream of the surgery--you're essentially creating an open wound in your body when you go through that, and your body tries to heal it by closing it up (post ops need to have a cone shaped device jammed down there to keep the opening, well...open). That should be enough of a sign not to try something like that. But sure, if there were some real, Hazumu style way to do it? I'm there. Girls like guys for the most part because no matter how independant you are, now and then you want a warm hug, a sensitive smile, and somebody you can just melt into, who'll take care of all your problems. Most men aren't like that, but certainly some are. I'd like it because I'd be able to act the way I really want to act, and I wouldn't have to put up with people looking at me strangely. Yes, I realize most women today are independent and forward thinking, and the 'traditional' innocent, helpless young lass image is something most of them don't want to hear about anymore. The point is, though, that as a girl, you *could* act like that if you wanted, you *could* pine for your prince on a white steed to come take you away, you *could* stay at home with the cooking and the cleaning and be a housewife, and nobody would call you a layabout or a daydreamer, and tell you to get a %$&@(* job that takes you away from home every day just because of that horrible master called money :p My father would be weirded out, but he's a caring person and he'd adjust. Everyone else I know would be fine with it, and would probably expect it, heh. My own mother says I would have made a better girl anyway. The only person that might take exception to it would be my wife, heh, for obvious reasons. I care very deeply for her, but faced with something I'd wanted that long that up till this hypothetical moment was impossible, I'd prolly go through with it anyway, and we'd just have to deal. I'd welcome getting a chance to start over in my new gender to as far as the age reduction thing, but then again, I think if I had known the first time around what I know now, I'd want that no matter if it came with the switch or not. There are some 'adult' reasons I'd prefer it, too, but I'll spare you that unless you reeeeally wanna know (and then I better not hear any TMI complaints)! ^.^ Yeah okay, I'm going to get the retort of 'Oh, you don't want to deal with being a girl, you have to put up with all these feminine physical issues'. My response to that has always been, 'Well, you all do it anyway, right? Comes with the territory.' Think you missed the part about your new name, Night ;) I really don't know what I'd use, but my mother always told me if I had been born a girl, she'd have gone with 'Katie Marie'....it's sort've common, but I guess that's a start. Now that I've officially scared everybody, on with the commenting :D |
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| Heh, I might have gone a little overboard with it, but you did ask :) I'm glad that makes you proud, heh :) The trick is being the guy who can give that to a woman. Male or not, I'll be the first to admit that many men are pigs, but I get a bit ticked off when people assume all men are like that, and I really, really hate the whole, 'You wouldn't understand, you're a guy' thing. Try me :p You're quite right about that, for me it's more of an emotional thing--being able to express my feelings in ways that wouldn't get me strange looks from 'the guys'. I'd actually like the experience of being pregnant, too, though I'm sure most women would just tell me I don't wanna go through that kind of pain or I should be lucky that I don't have to. Call me sensitive, but the thought of growing a new life inside me just kinda clicks well with me. Yeah, the surgery is a definate HELL NO! Not only is the rest of that true, but they can't do anything for your voice, so you have to retrain your vocal chords, plus they can't really do anything about your face, so you'll still have that 'masculine drag queen' look about you unless you already looked rather feminine beforehand. I'd sooner be homosexual if I wanted somebody to treat me 'like the woman' (apologizes to any girls that happen to read this, heh). I've always liked Mia, myself. Simple, not specific by nationality, and it reminds me of the names Misao, Misa, and Myna, all of which I like. If I chose any of those, it'd be much like you're saying--in my case, a blonde haired, blue eyed girl with a Japanese name, heh. |
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| I feel that I should respond as well too since I sort of helped fuel this conversation topic. I agree with Hazumu on pretty much everything. I'd expand more but Japanese homework and Hinduism reading take priority. I'll hopefully be back in a few hours. |
| A Honya-chan after my own heart! :) *still needs to goad this one into a con experience* XD |
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Hazumu said: *still needs to goad this one into a con experience* XD On that topic, I just came back from my anime club meeting a little while ago and it pretty much made my day. First, we decided what what we are showing this semester. Second, me and a friend put our feet in the door to taking over officer positions. Lastly, we decided that we would talk about Katsucon plans on Thursday. Depending on how things go, there is a good possibility of me going. Sorry for derailing the topic. *gets back to doing homework* |
| Don't worry about it :) I might not be here when you get done the homework, not sure yet. Still not feeling too well, so I need my rest. A friend and I are probably only going to do a Saturday day trip this time (albeit a long and late saturday), but It'd be nice to meetya if you do go, so keep me posted, hm? |
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| *is waiting for Honya-chan to 'expand' on the topic* :D |
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| Ah, yes. I forgot about this thread (lol school). Anyways, I see the gender switch issue from an emotional standpoint rather than just a mere physical one. If I were to become a girl suddenly (Hazumu-style), the change to my body would be shocking but it would not change who I am. In fact, it would make things a lot easier for me since some of my outlooks and hobbies are pretty girly. For example, it would allow me to cosplay more and seriously at that. Almost all the characters I like are females which makes dressing up as a girl extremely difficult (with the exception of for comedic value which I have done) and strange. Being a girl would allow me to dress up as my favorite characters without looking too weird. I find sketching designs for girl's clothing to be very enjoyable so being a girl would give me the chance to wear my own original designs. Essentially, I would be treated as just another Asian girl. I could list a bunch of other examples but that would probably be superfluous. As for a name, I would change it to Kotomi, Nodoka, Ran, or Alice. |
| Well, I suppose cosplaying would be a nice perk, heh ^.^ I find men's clothes to be boring, so I'd very much like to be able to enjoy women's fashion. I guess that's another reason right there. I'll never entirely get used to having to put on the male mask wherever I go all the time, so I guess that's why I appreciate conversations like these :) Alice, huh? That's cute, doesn't seem to go with the others in the list ^.^ |
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| I'm kind of embarrassed to say it, but I would want to become a girl. My hobbies, thoughts, and such tend to be more feminine than masculine. What I mean is that it would probably make my life easier if I were a girl. I could be more open about myself and my emotions without any worries. It would be fun to wear different kinds of clothes, too. To be honest, I'm not really happy with my gender in general. I would never get surgery, though. I am so very embarrassed right now. *runs away* |
| Aww, c'mon, don't be embarassed, ne? I certainly just divulged a lot in the first reply I made, for one. Your response seems to be quite similar to Honya's and mine, and though I certainly wouldn't be so rude as to put words in someone else's mouth, I can speak for myself by saying it sounds like we're in a similar boat ^.^ It is a little bit tricky to talk about though, I know. Guys are supposed to kick ass and take names, and I have a few in my life that I certainly could never discuss this with. Be glad that on here, you do have people that're okay for this topic! ^.^ |
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| Yeah, my response is very similar to what you two said. I guess it's just embarrassing for me to say it. I've never told this stuff to anyone before. I know that I shouldn't be embarrassed, but I can't help it. I don't really know why either. It is good to know that I'm not alone, though:) |
SuiDream88Feb 3, 2008 10:12 PM
| I'll say this much, to everyone that responds to this thread by saying they wish it -would- happen to them: Think about it. If you had been born your preferred gender (and I'm speaking to any females that may have the opposite wish some of us that have already responded do), do you think things would have turned out the same way? Can you say you'd still cry at a good anime, or would you even know what anime is? Would you still have your friends? Most of all, would you cherish the feelings concerning this topic that you have now, or would these sort of emotional realizations been completely lost on you? It might even be a little sad. Is it really better to never have loved (understood what you do now) at all, if you catch my drift? |
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| Hi there :] well, I'm a girl and I like it, and you can say that I'm proud of being one. But when I watched Kashimashi [and I loved it :] I was like.. omg, I think the same thing happened to me... Because I'm not your average girl I'm not very feminine, I hate dresses,skirts,high heels, to tie my hair,make-up,pink,dancing and all sorts of girly things xD I like boys and I have had boyfriends, yeah, but you can commonly hear me saying: ''this is waaay to girly for me''. Well, I know that I can't be the only girl that acts kinda like this x] Most of my friends are guys, and I love that, we have lots of fun :] And I'm very protective with my female friends, almost like a guy xD But I wouldn't change my sex :] not again [: [joking xD] |
| Nice to have a contributor to the opposite viewpoint, thanks for that :D Most of the girls I know seem to hate pink. The thing they always seem to have in common is that they were dressed up in frilly pink things when they were little. I don't mind pink, even though I had a pair of pink footy-pajamas when I was a kid. Maybe they warped me! XD Glad you loved Kashimashi, heh. It's interesting to hear what people make of what happened to Hazumu. It's also interesting to hear what a girl thinks about acting like a guy ^.^ If you wouldn't go through with the change though, get off the mountain, quick! I think we sent signal flares up! XD!! |
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| This is an embarrassing topic. Dx But either way though, I've always thought about being a guy. In going with Kashimashi (only obviously the opposite way for me), and other gender-bending comics where surgery is the cure-all for everything (like Pretty Face, haha ), I'd love for that to be an actual option. The surgeries that can be preformed in this day and age just aren't good enough to really invest money into... and it's surgery so it's automatically frightening. I'm probably a really girly sort of girl in that I like wearing skirts and such, but I really do hate makeup and how much time and effort is apparently supposed to be put into dressing up every day. So I've always thought that guys have it so much easier because they're not supposed to shave their legs or wear makeup or generally act like little innocent butterflies floating in the wind. Granted, I'd probably end up being a feminine guy to some extent, but I'd much rather be a guy than a girl. I know if something that drastic like in Kashimashi actually happened to me, I'd be disowned by my parents (actually, they'd disown me if they knew I even so much as look at other girls in a more than friendship way to begin with.. my mum possibly could kill me for it), but I'm sure my friends would be very helpful and such. My boyfriend, on the other hand... haha. I doubt he'd be any sort of happy, but ah well. It's nice to dream, though. A name I would be stuck on, however. I'm bad enough with thinking of names for characters in stories, that it would be pretty impossible for me to think up a new guys' name for myself. Dx |
Anime figure reviews: |
| It is kind've an embarassing topic, yeah...but it's a bit easier to talk about online, ne, Ishoku? Thanks for contributing :D I've prolly said it before, but I always appreciate hearing the 'other side' as it were of the story. It's interesting to hear how guys who wish they were girls actually view girls, versus how girls who want to be guys actually view guys (confusion!! @_@) I can understand your point as far as guys seeming to have fewer social graces to worry about. For me, what I don't like about being a guy is the constant competition. The whole, "Hey you! You're not as rich/powerful/sucessful as that other guy over there! Work harder or there must be something wrong with you!" Of course I'm not trying to say women don't have to deal with that, it just goes back to my original comment on the subject. I'm not a competitive person, and I wish people wouldn't look at me funny for wishing I could cook, clean, keep house for a breadwinning spouse, heh. Plus, women have so many more interesting clothing options than men if you ask me. That, and I hate ties! XD Maybe I just wanna be that innocent little butterfly floating in the wind, heh ^.^ That's awfully sad to hear about how your family would react. People are like that, I guess...if they weren't, we wouldn't have to deal with gender roles to begin with. It's nice to know your friends would support you. It's none of my business of course, but I find it's also nice to have at least one close friend you can trust with knowing something like this about you. You can't change your gender, but when you have at least one person to talk about your feelings with, it makes dealing with it a whole lot easier. It's always nice to dream though, heh. Can't think of a name!? I'll trade you mine! XD |
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| This is indeed an embarrassing topic and I doubt I would have been able to talk about it seriously if it weren't for Internet Courage. IshokuOsero, it is sad that your parents would react that way if you became a guy or found you looking at other girls in that way. I think that love comes in many forms and it is sad that society does not accept all its variations which is why the ability to switch genders would open so many possibilities. I'm not sure my parents would be too angry much less disown me since I am already pretty gender neutral although slightly closer to the girls' side. They would probably be shocked at first but would eventually start treating me normally again. Hazumu, I agree with the competition thing. I am not really a competitive person and I do my best not because I want to beat others but because I want to improve myself. |
| Well said. Love somebody because of who they are. That's much more important than what's between their legs, I say. I dunno if it's just me or not, but sometimes I actually feel as though the typical 'male' urges that are always in the background of my mind are something of a hindrance, and I'd feel more 'free' if I didn't have them. I'm not talking about sexual urges, I mean the desire to anger easily and get upset when I'm not the 'king of the hill', so to speak. I don't like being angry or competitive, and I have to take a moment sometimes to remind myself that the testosterone is trying to talk for me, so I can stop it. Maybe that's weird or I'm not describing it right, I dunno, but that's how it came out, heh. There's nothing wrong with competing against yourself for your own betterment though, Honya-chan...I agree with that :D |
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| Ah, Honya got me into this thread and I told him I'd contribute eventually. This indeed is the most embarrassing thread I've seen but... seeing as this is the internet and few here actually know me (shrug). The idea of turning into a girl, Kashimashi style, is definitely something I've fooled around with in my head. Like others here I definitely can't live with surgery-invoked change, that's just completely hideous. But... if I were ever given such a choice (D&D Reverse Gender spell, go!), I think I'll have quite a hard time making a choice. Beware, this is going to turn into a rant. I never quite had someone to spill all this on (lawl). To weigh the pros and cons of gender swapping: Pros: --I'm not a real gender sensitive guy, I've spent my life up to senior year in High School not really noticing any girls and rarely cares about any today (except for my every once-a-while thought of 'hey, she looks really cute'), this causes some of my friends to flat out think that something is wrong with me, or worse, flat out assume I'm gay (which happened a lot during high school). I'm not quite sure this'll get any better if I'm a girl but... --I love cute things, soft things, and shiny things too. This includes stuffed animals in my room, which I can't take to my college dorms since that'll definitely raise eyebrows. That'll also include my body pillow which I hug a lot (which does NOT have an anime-related cover, it's completely white). Not to mention gemstones, particularly the Lapis Lazuli, definitely not a healthy trait for a guy. --I don't mind guys' clothing, I may not like wearing ties but I do find them good looking. However, it does indeed get boring, not to mention I'm quite annoyed that male clothing is extremely coarse, unlike the fine fabric you'd find in a girls'. --I come from a pretty old fashioned Chinese family, where given the single child policy (my parents didn't want a kid anymore when they came to the states) + you're a guy = your parents put a lot of expectations and pressure onto you. My dad gets annoyed at me a lot because I lack ambition. Whereas, my aunts and uncles never expect that much from the girls in my family... makes me quite jealous of my cousin. --I have periodic mood swings triggered by unknown factors. This is something well known for girls due to biological reasons but for guys... people are gonna look at you weird. --I love my hair, and I'd love to leave long hair, except the problem being that's not very acceptable of guys (even a more manly ponytail can leave bad impressions on potential employers). I also have a habit of playing with my hair when it gets longer... --Lastly that I can think of, I tend to have a few mannerisms that may be considered more girly than allowed for a guy. Having to hide the expressions I'd like to use can be quite annoying. Cons: --I really don't see myself waking up an extra half-hour before classes to work my hair or put on makeup. A rough facewash and a few combstrokes is the most I ever do. I think I'd have constant 'bad hair days' if I were a girl, particularly with the long hair I'd like to have. Of course, if I actually had long hair I like and not just shrug off at, maybe I'd actually have an incentive to work on it. --I'm a straightforward person, and I don't want to appear sexist but in my experience (and some people I've talked to), girls scheme far more than guys. At least guys often try to go the direct route for intimidation, to try to come off as the alpha-male in a direct confrontation, and in general are more frank than the "overcomplicated girls". I'm not a fan of it, I have my pride also, but there's nothing I hate more than people trying to look friendly while plotting behind your back. Yes I realize that society is full of these people, makes me depressed just thinking about graduation. All in all, I think it's a bit unfair that in today world, if you're a girl who act boyish people won't give you more than a few glances. Tomboy is hardly an uncommon sight anyways. However if you're a guy who act girlish, there is a good chance your friends will keep their distance from you due to the whole male homophobia deal, not to mention guy imitating girl is just a whole lot less socially acceptable than girl pretending to be guy, for whatever reason. If I decide to be a girl, it'll probably be for the reason that, at least from my point-of-view, society is a lot more acceptable of boyish girls than girlish boys. But seeing as the magical gender switching thing isn't probably anyways... trying to decide all this becomes moot. I wonder if I creeped anyone out yet? xD Btw, I'm not sure how my mom would react but... I know my dad and grandparents will certainly freak out, given I'm suppose to be the grandson that carries on the family name (what's the point when it's one of the ten most common Chinese surnames anyways?) |
AoriiApr 11, 2008 8:55 PM
| Thanks for contributing, zanaikin...and no worries. I can't speak for anyone else of course, but I agree with most of your points, so I'm by no means creeped out, heh. It seems I always end up responding to everybody that posts here....I hope nobody minds that, I just have find of a strong feeling about this topic, heh. I couldn't agree with you more on one point--society expects a lot (too much) from boys. Not that there aren't expectations placed on a girl, and I'm sure they can be stressful, too...but it's the different kind of expectations that make me wish I was the latter. A girl can be whatever she wants in today's society, sure--but if she wants to, she can also be a tranquil, demure little homemaker who cooks, cleans, does the laundry, and otherwise keeps house. See, my problem isn't that I lack ambition. It's just that everybody *thinks* I lack ambition, because if I could have my own way, I would aspire to be a housewife. I love being at home, I hate being competitive (which is a serious shortcoming in the ratrace, sadly), and the thought that I might have somebody out there with a career, someone who loves me and wants to come home to me every night....geez, well, that just tickles me, and makes me want to create the best home I can for that person. But of course, when a man wishes for something like that, it's sadly assumed that he's just lazy. Yes, men can be successful, and I admit that even today, men still tend to get ahead a bit in certain big business jobs just because they're men. It's not fair to women, no...but look at the flip side. For those of us who want to stay at home and have no interest in a deeply involved career--we're just ambitionless layabouts, and there's obviously something wrong with us. There are other reasons that I wish I had been born a girl, but as far as this one is concerned, I guess I'd be at least somewhat satisfied if I just lived in a society where the gender roles were reversed. I'd be a good little boy in a female driven society, I think :) I'll also go with you on the concept of tomboys. There *is* still something of a social stigma attached to them, especially when you have women judging other women. However, tomboys are still more socially acceptable than effeminate men. A girl in a man's suit is cute if it's too big for her, and powerful/daring if it does in fact fit....but a boy in a skirt gets double takes and sneers in public. It's funny really, if you judge the flip side of that. I once had a woman tell me she thought it wasn't fair that when a girl gets old, she's seen as 'old', while an older man is often seen as 'distinguished'. I suppose there are two sides to every coin. For me, I understand why the other side thinks the way it does, but then, I suppose the grass is always greener. If I had been born a girl, would I think that boys had unfair advantages? I don't know. I've often thought that the ideal situation really would be one like Hazumu's. I wasn't raised as a girl, but I know in my heart (at this point in life, at least), what kind of girl I want to be, and I'm unaffected by whatever stimuli might have influenced my thoughts growing up as a girl. So...if it suddenly happened, I really could be that person. As far as who schemes more, well....okay, so some might disagree with me on this, but as I observe human behavior, here's what I see. When men get mad at each other, they explode with emotion. There's either an argument, a fight, a war...maybe they just punch the wall after they're out of sight of one another. When women get mad at each other, they stew. Mean glances, talking behind one another's back, spreading rumors...men react more violently, but then it's over. If the world were ruled entirely by men, it would probably cease to exist in a few days because we'd all just go to war and nuke one another. If the world were ruled entirely by women, it would still cease to exist, it would just take several years, and be punctuated by webs of deceit, treachery, muckraking, and so forth, until somebody finally pushed the button. Heh, sorry...didn't mean to preach. All in all, I already spend more time in the bathroom than most girls do (to which they enjoy reminding me), and I have the same opinion of ties that you do. They look nice....but god they're annoying, they serve no purpose, and why is it, anyway, that men's clothing has to be so coarse and rough? That has to be tough, the traditionalist Chinese few on number of children...from the standpoint of the extra pressure it puts on you. As I recall, it's one in urban areas, and two in rural areas....right? My parents aren't as obvious about me carrying on the family name, but I only have one sibling, he's a brother, and he had a vasectomy awhile back because he doesn't ever want children. Go figure. I know I probably have no business saying it, but when you go out into the career world--don't be what they want you to be, if it's not what you want to be. I've tried that, and let me tell you--there is NO amount of money on earth that's worth that. None. I was good at it, but I was also miserable, sick most of the time, and hating life. Yes, everybody needs a certain amount of money, insurance, and job security to survive...but there are ways to make it happen and still be able to enjoy who you really are. Heh, sorry....I'm done now. I promise! :) (PS - Go D&D, and RIP Gary Gygax!) |
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| Wow, I got a reply back that equally as long as my rant xD Hazumu said: I love being at home, I hate being competitive (which is a serious shortcoming in the ratrace, sadly), and the thought that I might have somebody out there with a career, someone who loves me and wants to come home to me every night....geez, well, that just tickles me, and makes me want to create the best home I can for that person. But of course, when a man wishes for something like that, it's sadly assumed that he's just lazy. Yes, men can be successful, and I admit that even today, men still tend to get ahead a bit in certain big business jobs just because they're men. It's not fair to women, no...but look at the flip side. For those of us who want to stay at home and have no interest in a deeply involved career--we're just ambitionless layabouts, and there's obviously something wrong with us. Too true on that, not to mention the fact that even if you have a career, it's a common occurance when your coworkers would look down upon you if your wife is significantly more capable than you are. A few of my dad's friends and business partners had problems with that. And a guy who stays in the house? That's just seen as unacceptable. I have to admit I've thought of the same thing as you occasionally, most notably when I'm reading shoujo manga (just another thing my friends make fun of me for, heck my fraternity brothers gives me Inuyasha volumes as Christmas presents and it's like becoming a yearly tradition). Although, if I was a girl I can't really see myself being the professional housewife deal, but I'd definitely settle for a much lighter job, or maybe stay at home first to focus development on my 'projects' in hopes of them getting interest five years down the line. JKR did that IIRC, and it's certainly paying off massively. Hazumu said: There are other reasons that I wish I had been born a girl, but as far as this one is concerned, I guess I'd be at least somewhat satisfied if I just lived in a society where the gender roles were reversed. I'd be a good little boy in a female driven society, I think :) Ah ditto, although I'd be happy with a society where men & women are truly treated as equal, without all the historical influences and social stereotyping. Hazumu said: I once had a woman tell me she thought it wasn't fair that when a girl gets old, she's seen as 'old', while an older man is often seen as 'distinguished'. I suppose there are two sides to every coin. Once again, I think this is still rooted deeply in the whole career concept. Men who are doing menial work in the 60s are going to be called 'old' no matter what, and women who become CEOs are certainly going to be treated as 'distinguished'. On my last trip back to China I met my dad's CEO whose a woman and certainly nobody dared to call her old. Old age is typically a benefactor in the world of business and politics (as long as you're not old enough to be senile) since it speak of greater experience and wisdom, but it's never a good thing with personal relationships. I still tell my mom that I think my stepdad looks 'too old' =P. Hazumu said: As I recall, it's one in urban areas, and two in rural areas....right? No, it's one throughout the nation, but there's a lot of loopholes. In urban areas, you can have one, unless you get twins, triplets, or more, there are no other exceptions. In rural areas, depending on how developed the area is, you might be allowed to have kids until you get a boy, or the officials might stop caring altogether. The reason why this rule is hard to truly enforce is because of another tradition & law of the Chinese culture: that you are by law, required to support your parents (with a court defined percentage if they decide to press it), after you become an adult. Children are not just seen as family, they are seen as an investment for retirement. Girls from underdeveloped areas with no education simply has too much trouble earning money, and the officials can't just let their parents starve to death because their first kid was a girl. Hazumu said: I know I probably have no business saying it, but when you go out into the career world--don't be what they want you to be, if it's not what you want to be. I've tried that, and let me tell you--there is NO amount of money on earth that's worth that. None. I was good at it, but I was also miserable, sick most of the time, and hating life. Yes, everybody needs a certain amount of money, insurance, and job security to survive...but there are ways to make it happen and still be able to enjoy who you really are. True, but I expect I'd have to go through a few years of the grinder after graduation. I know the first job is always the hardest, and you really have to struggle through things you hate in order to get a good enough record and impression for the next step. My dream job is technically to work as a scenario/character designer for Wizards of the Coast, or some similar company, but I really don't know if I could ever achieve that. I can certainly try =). This is quite a pleasant and meaningful exchange ^_^ |
AoriiApr 12, 2008 9:20 PM
| No offense at all to Inu Yasha, but if that were me, I think I might be just a little bit upset. Not that they were giving me volumes of that particular manga for Christmas, but, well...that just seems like when people assume I'll know all about football and such, just because I'm male. One thing a person can say to me if they really want to get under my skin quickly is, "You're a guy, you wouldn't understand." Okay, so maybe I'll never be pregnant and I'll never know what PMS feels like, but when people just assume I won't understand certain emotions or know anything about being sensitive, well...that irks me. When a girl tells me how hard it is to cycle every 28 days...I ask them how they think it would feel to cycle every 28 minutes. In my experience, testosterone makes you emotional (in particular, angry), for no good reason, and I absolutely hate feeling that way. When somebody cuts me off on the road or something dumb like that, the first thing my mind wants to do is get angry, yell and them, and flip the bird. I'd like to think I've learned how to control that over the years, as doing those silly things doesn't accomplish anything, and it just makes you look stupid. When somebody's mad at you, they want you to be mad, too, because anger doesn't feel good. The best response, to me anyway, is to shrug it off and smile. [takahashi rant] As far as Inu Yasha goes--never cared for it. I think it's because it's by Rumiko Takahashi, and Inu Yasha and Kagome strike me as carbon copies of Ranma and Akane. And Ranma....grrr, I hate him. Such a wonderful gift he has, and he treats it like a curse. Not to mention he's a jerk nine times out of ten, too, heh. [/takahashi rant] My official major in college was "Asian Studies". I focused on Japan, but of course, given the nature of the major, we delved into China and southeast Asia as well. That's where I learned about the child rule. I didn't realize the depth of it as you described it, but then--I can see how that might not have made it into my studies. It's got a perverse logic to it I guess...but there we go with gender roles again, ne? A girl being taught she'll never amount to anything just because she's a girl. I guess it depends on what you consider 'amounting to something'. Me, as I said before, I'd be perfectly happy as the housewife, but of course in society's eyes, that means I haven't in fact, amounted to anything at all. I'm a little bit afraid to ask how they enforce that rule when somebody does actually end up pregnant with a child that would put them over the limit, and they already have a boy, so....I think I'll let it be. I can see where you're coming from on age, though. It does really depend on the situation. Age does hold a level of reverence and respect, but it seems even more so in the Asian sphere. Perhaps what kind of work you do does have something to do with it. When I was younger, I worked at an auto parts store with a guy that was almost 70. He wasn't there because he needed something to do--he was there because he still needed the money. Kinda scared me a bit, and now, job security is more important to me than the amount of money I'm making. With the expectation of the 'grinder' after you get out of college, you're probably already a bit ahead of the game. I had several jobs after I graduated, but all of them were in sales. I'm told I was good at it...but I hated it with a passion, and I began to loose hope when I thought that my training and expereince didn't make me useful for anything else. When I finally got the job I have now, I came to realize that without those few years of terrible experience, they might never have hired me to begin with, and now I have regular hours, a guaranteed pension, wonderful insurance, decent enough money to get by, and no supervisor breathing down my neck for results. That, plus I don't have to worry about getting fired if I have a little slump now and then. I don't have to compete with my co-workers to get noticed anymore, and being a non-competitive person by nature, that's a wonderful boon for me. My wife is much more capable at a lot of things than me, but I know where you're coming from when you say that, and I admit, I do experience shame at the hands of others now and then for knowing that about me. I shrug it off for the most part. We're just that kind of couple--when we go out together, she drives the car. She does the taxes, and she handles all the money. Granted, I have the breadwinning job, but I also do the laundry and clean the house. At least some little part of me gets to live my dream that way :) I'm glad you're enjoying this conversation, I am too! I appreciate your input ^.^ |
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| Hmm, I like this thread. I’ll try to give an answer worthy of the other responses (I.e. honest and well thought out) I would definitely opt to become a male if the opportunity arose. Again, not in the modern sex change way, but the alien car crash kinda way. I’ve though about it before, and I guess I do think briefly about it every so often. It’s just so happens that I am bisexual, but I do lean more toward being attracted to women than men. I am married but my husband is more “girly” than I am and is also bi. I still consider getting married to be a situation that I was not expecting to find myself in. I think I have maybe 2 traits that could be considered feminine which are an attraction to shiny/sparkly things (which could have more to do with my totem animals than being a girl) and I enjoy manipulating my husband to get him to do whatever I want. Lol I guess labeling my “guy” qualities my be calling upon some stereotypes, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re in a society flooded with them. Not that women can’t think about sex frequently, but I do believe that I think about as often as a man does in the course of a day. I can twist even the most innocuous comment into something perverse which is the usual course that my brain takes. Is that abnormal? I can’t tell . . . I would want to be a guy because I think that’s there’s a little less pressure there on appearances. Don’t get me wrong, there still is, but I don’t think it’s on the same caliber that women have. I could give two shits about my looks. I do look at my overall shape, and while I’m far from happy with my current weight, I do think that my face is essentially attractive. However, I am not the least bit interested in plucking my eyebrows, waxing my bikini line, moisturizing every square inch of skin, painting my face, or using a ridiculous number of appliances and product on my hair every freakin’ day. No one should need to do those things to feel attractive. Getting up early in the morning to do any of that? Forget it! I’m lucky I get out of bed. My wardrobe consisted of jeans and t-shirts. It’s not that I couldn’t dress nicely, but those kinds of clothes are very uncomfortable to me and the prices for those clothes are absolutely ridiculous. I hate shoe shopping, and I would break my neck trying to wear heels. I do our taxes and handle all of the money. I know more basic information about cars and household repairs than my husband. I abhor housework, and my husband has to goad me into it if he doesn’t do it himself. I have absolutely no desire to have children and never did. My husband got “fixed” only because I wouldn’t have been able to have it done to me. Why is that, incidentally? A women can’t have her tubes tied unless she already has several children or it’s medically dangerous for her not to? I don’t want kids. I won’t change my mind. My “biological clock” isn’t going to go off. Cut those suckers already! Lol We’re working on this, but I’m more the stoic, cry-on-my-shoulder, comforting one in our marriage. Whether it’s healthy or not, I’m the one who tries to keep the emotion in check. I do have a quick temper though. I’m also blunt and can’t stand the catty BS that women pull (like the ones where I work. It’s worse than high school was). I do act goofy with my friends but I tend to take the protecting role with my girl friends. Regarding the actually act of intercourse and the physical points of being a guy. I’m not sure if it’s the cause or the effect of being more attracted to women, I don’t like male genitalia. I think it’s pretty funny looking. I’m sure I would have a different opinion if I had one though and most likely wouldn’t mind so much. Lol I think the male orgasm is interesting because from what I can tell the pleasure is more localized and intense. I would love to experience that sensation and compare it to what I know now if possible. I would like to be the one penetrating for one instead of being penetrated. Sure you can fire back with “That’s what strap-ons are for,” but the sensation is so obviously not there. People can argue that it’s an in-hole and not an out-hole, but let’s face it, a guy really could experience it both ways. A woman just can’t. I like breasts, just not my own. |
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| i would galdly accept to do this first off i am a man who is more feminent so yah i get called gay alot. even thought i want to fuck shakira 8 times in a row. i would love to learn what it is like to be a women. the pain the good parts . i would be able to express my emotions a lot more . men are called wimps when they show weakness. so i would fit as a women like hazumu did. now there is is a girl that calls me a lesbian and she calls herself a fag. our minds our more the oppisite of our bodys. and god beings a women would so help in cosplay. they have more chocies in costumes. i would hate to get pregnant thought that really got to hurt and periods i would so freak out that day. now i would have boobs which would be nice. but i would like to use my dick before i lose it. and standing to pee is nothing specail i sit most of the time any ways since am half asleep most of the time. so i would take it by choice |
| Sorry to bump this thread as I wanted to add in my 0.5 cents worth. If the miraculous occurence of a gender switch was passed my way I would do it tomorrow. although I would then technically be a middle aged woman (which may not be that desirable). But looking at the whole Gender Re-assignment thang involving surgery and counselling and a lot of hardship during transition I would probably say no. I have known for a long time that I had a very strong feminine side, and it does show in my emotions a lot. I am not one of those typical macho clones, but neither am I overly feminine either, I just seem to have more of a leaning towards being female than I should have. Its taken so many years to find some sort of closure/answers to this though, and now that I am so much older I often feel that mine was a life wasted. I do admire that women are able to take their rightful place in society and the workplace, but I deplore the fact that so many have flushed their femininity down the toilet in the race to show their "balls". Sadly women seem to be taking on some of the worst characteristics of men by trying to appear tough and ruthless and hardassed. It doesnt do much for me. They are also loosing their feminity as young girls by trying to look androgynous or dressing down. It doesnt mean that there is anything wrong with trying to look that way, it just seemss to detract from what being feminine can be about. Sadly the media is assisting in this mixed messag, and the female role models for youg girls are really in dire need of relooking. Gender roles are created by society and frankly they can be very arcane, but today the gender "role" of women seems to be "anything that you want to be", whereas men are still sitting stuck with our "cowboys dont cry" role. We are stuck with our clothing that has never gone beyond what is perceived as male clothing. Remember, a woman in troiusers is fashionable, a man in a skirt is a cross dresser. Watching the series the one scene that struck me the most was in the titles when the 3 girls are running along in dresses and just enjoying twirling their skirts and being girls. There was something joyous and free about that scene that said so much. Envy was the one emotion that occurred in me at that moment. My final comment though is that "gender roles" different from wherever you come from, the oppression of women in parts of Africa is different from the "freedom" of Europen women. Being a woman in some parts of the world is like being relegated to being a second class citizen/punchbag/cheap labour. Its not always better on the other side of the fence, but I think given the chance when I was younger I would have maybe taken that tentatve step. OK. nuff sed. |
| May the Uguu be with you. |
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