What is the hardest thing about being a woman?

[FemMecha]

Having trouble sleeping and came across this thread.

I changed my post to something more positive and in line with the horse discussion. I've heard a couple of different theories about girls' obsession with horses relating to the masculinity that a horse represents. One theory is that it is a safe way to connect to masculinity before thinking of it in terms of sexuality. Another is that it is a way for girls to experience that physical strength and feel more agency in the world.

I didn't experience that connection to horses over other animals, but heard those theories and thought I'd share. I'm not saying it's the explanation, but just some ideas I encountered.

 

[FemMecha]

This is also a social meme short that was driving me a bit crazy...
"TheFunnyRepublican What is a woman conversation"

"Why are you asking me what it means to be a woman? You should be asking women what it means to be a woman."

TheFunnyRepublican "I'm asking all kinds of people. Can anyone have an opinion about it?"

"Only people who are women."

TheFunnyRepublican "So you're saying if you're not a woman you shouldn't have an opinion."

"Where does a guy get a right to say what a woman is? Women only know what women are"

TheFunnyRepublican "Are you a cat?"

"No"

TheFunnyRepublican "Can you tell me what a cat is?"

"That is a genuine mistake. I'm sorry I came up here." (laughing in the background like some great debate was won)

I see this approach constantly of trying to force false binary propositions into logical frameworks. They present these oversimplifications with such arrogance like they are Jesus telling parables. It drives me crazy. I commented:

We can define in part what we observe, we can define more fully what we are. What is a cat? Humans have observational definitions for a cat, and can observe that cats appear to dream. What do cats dream? Is it a literal recall or imaginative play of reality like humans? A cat would know. While anyone can define in part through observations, a wise person knows the limits of those definitions.

My comment applies to more than just the gender issue, but for every human experience. I am exasperated by the binary thinking and lack of respect for personal boundaries in society. This isn't just as a woman, but as a human.

 

[Totenkindly]

I think it would be interesting to see if women in cultures/environs without horses fixate on other animals and what they would be. Same guys for guy fixations. How tied is it to the specific culture and/or is there an equitable interest in cultures lacking those particular symbols?

 

[everything__dies]

Yeah, but both of these pretty much fall under "almost nobody does this". I feel like being a horse girl would pretty much be in similar level of privilege as model trains if not higher.

Horses and model railroads are too expensive hobbies -- though I remember an article which stated the death of the Western was partly due to the decline in equestrian skill among the general population who would be extras in the films as opposed to the previously cheap surplus of horses on sets which everybody knew how to ride.

One theory is that it is a safe way to connect to masculinity before thinking of it in terms of sexuality.

Nothing left to the imagination there . . . this is why ladies' bicycles were designed with a lowered, curved central bar to accomodate the long skirt.
https://wonderfulengineering.com/mens-bicycles-horizontal-cross-bars-womens-usually-dont/

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

Horses and model railroads are too expensive hobbies -- though I remember an article which stated the death of the Western was partly due to the decline in equestrian skill among the general population who would be extras in the films as opposed to the previously cheap surplus of horses on sets which everybody knew how to ride.



Nothing left to the imagination there . . . this is why ladies' bicycles were designed with a lowered, curved central bar to accomodate the long skirt.
https://wonderfulengineering.com/mens-bicycles-horizontal-cross-bars-womens-usually-dont/

I always thought the death of the Western was because in the 60s space started to become more popular. Sci-fi like The Star Track began to eclipse Bonanza.

 

[everything__dies]

I always thought the death of the Western was because in the 60s space started to become more popular. Sci-fi like The Star Track began to eclipse Bonanza.

I enjoy watching Shatner and Nimoy in the old westerns . . . and Diana Muldaur in her youth in Gunsmoke (Dr. Pulaski on TNG who I liked better than Dr. Crusher ). Bonanza supposedly had three step brothers meaning three wives who died. Not to get off topic from the thread -- Hardest part about womanhood? Childbirth?

 

[Earl Grey]

Men?