In your eyes, what defines/makes a woman?

Question

Do gentials define a woman or spirit? Is it biological or a mentality level? Why are women so depressed when they have to have a hysterectomy? Why are they so obessed that they keep their breast when they face breast cancer? Whats the deal?? In my opinion its mentality and spirit. What do you think makes up a woman??

Answer 1

Well, I am no woman, but my mother definitely struggled with the issue of a mastectomy. Due to that issue and other experiences I have had, I know that losing part of what a person normally defines a woman by biologically does absolutely nothing to stifle the spirit of a woman. If biology were the only factor in making a woman, then my mother would be less of a woman than a woman with two breasts, simply because my mother has less womanly biology. I would be surprised to hear anyone say this about my mom after meeting her.

On the topic of whether biology, specifically estrogen, makes a woman... It's definitely a factor, but only as much of a factor as testosterone makes a man. Each person is unique and each expresses their sexuality in a different way. Therefore, to say that biology is the sole reason is stupid. I feel absolutely comfortable with thinking of my transvestite friends as women if they desire me to do so.

In conclusion, I guess the point I've been trying to get to is that biology can be a factor, but it is the spirit of a woman that is vital.

Answer 2

Wow, what a great question. Or questions. I don't think that genitals define a woman's spirit - that's something that comes from within. Gender, I think, originates between the ears and/or emanates from the soul. I can understand, though, how a hysterectomy would affect a woman's sense of self - any way that our body is altered is frightening - think of cancer surgery, for instance. But this is a part of the body that is directly linked to sexuality - intensifying the issue. There are definitely fears and worries about losing feminity. So, to answer your question, I think that both things are compatible - our inner vision defines us as women but there are fears/problems/concerns when a woman's body is messed with. In a sense, this is consistent w/the concerns of male to female transgendered people. They are troubled because their anatomy isn't consistent with their inner vision. Am I making any sense?

Answer 3

Genitals do NOT define a woman, but they do AFFECT a woman. There is a mental aspect to being a woman or female just due to hormones, brain chemistry. Women are depressed when they have to a hysterectomy for several reasons, brain chemistry, which affect depression is part of that problem, as is the obsession of keeping your breast when faced with breast cancer. DON'T you feel a male faced with prostate cancer, goes through the same fear and brain chemistry changes as a woman who faced with the two situations you stated. A woman or man both sexes fear disease and loss of a PART of themselves. Not unlike the loss of your baby when they go to school, or a toy or pet... etc. I believe a woman is a confident PERSON irregardless of sexual parts!

Answer 4

wow, that's a little rant if I ever read one.

Ok, first off, if I lost my foot I would get depressed and try to replace it, or even my lips. It's just part of the body and I'd miss it, even if it were a breast. It doesn't make me a woman, it makes me who I am because it's part of my body!

Second, a hysterectomy often removes the whole kit and kaboodle, including the ovaries which produce estrogen, the hormone responsible for female behaviour and shape. Without this hormone being higher than the testoserone level (and yes we do have testosterone in our bodies, just smaller levels) women start to grow facial hair, voice begins to deepen, and the fat layer under the skin weakens giving a more manish look over the areas that are thinly covered with muscle (ie: hands, face) It's depressing because for so long a woman identifies her personality with her gender (as do men) and to not look the appearance and function of her gender is cause to have an identitiy crisis.

Thirdly, what I think makes a woman is obviously her body first. Breasts, vagina, uterus, soft hair, and voice. Then her mentality, the gentle way she speaks, the poise in stressful situations, her temperament.

Answer 5

Wow...I thought this was going to be a simple question. In essence, everything you mentioned does, in some way, influence the behavior, outlook and activity of a woman.
Women are indeed, much more conscious of their appearance than men. Many times, unfortunately, they go too far and get depressed when things are not just exactly perfect.
When you "rip out" her reproductive organs, for many women, you rip out her whole meaning of life. It it not true, but if a woman has been so focused on appearance and not her real gifts of inner beauty, strength, compassion, nurturing abilities to everyone, it is no wonder she may be depressed. Such a woman may need professional help. If she is married, she needs an understand mate. If her mate does not understand and help her, then some more help is needed for that person to get out of the selfish mode and into the life-giving mode for her sake.

Answer 6

Lol.

Well here is honest guys answer.

You don't define a person by their sexual organs.

However, sex organs do indicate gender.

However, your gender alone does not define who are you. Likewise, as a guy, I'm not "defined" by my penis although i certainly have one.

Women are depressed about getting their breasts removed for the very same reason I man would be depressed about having say his testicals removed.

Most adults prefer to to have their whole body intact and enjoy consentual sex with the person they love. Its kind of natural.

That said, losing say one's breast is preferable to death.

My mother died of pancreatic cancer, so all the feminist 'drives" to help only breast cancer victims did not help her too much.

I have absolutely no doubt she'd have prefered to have lost a breast and lived to see me grow up.

Now, would i honestly start dating somebody I knew already had breast cancer and/or some other form of cancer? Sadly, I'll admit I'd not most likely. I hope that I'd not leave somebody I love for having cancer but certainly having kids is a personal goal.

For some women with breast or cervix cancer, they have been denied the chance to have kids. For some people that's not important but the majority of people do probably want kids at some point in their lives. Thus its natural for them to feel depressed. That said, again, it BETTER than the alternative!!!

One always HOPES that all TREATABLE forms of cancer such as prostate, breast, cervix, colon, etc, are treated early with a MINIMUM of mutilation to the victims body.

Again, that's why I dislike the "breast cancer" movement. I feel that we should all get together and raise money to fight all cancer and to make all people aware of applicable types of cancer that can be teated early.

I want women to get breast exams but I want them to ALSO get skin cancer exams or any other kind that reduces chance of death.

You can generalize your question to any body part. Why is a person who loses an arm or leg depressed? I think the answer is obvious but again, it is better than the alternative and in all cases, people find a way to DEAL.

Again child bearing is natual and a good thing. Its pretty natural for a woman to want that. its also natural for a woman to want to enjoy sex but it is certainly not all she is.

Answer 7

It be the same stuff that makes up a man. Then you throw in a lot of crap.

You want to meet a real women, go talk to an old Amish lady about 60. She knows what is important a lot more then most people in Women's studies and she spends a lot less on plastic surgery and is probably a lot happer then thoes that do.

Answer 8

The only concrete difference is the obvious physical one (encompassing anatomy, reproductive organs, brain chemicals, etc.) These characteristics people have posted that they claim "define the female gender" are preposterous. Strength, courage, composure, etc. are all traits that are found in men AND women. Infact, one could argue that strength and courage carry a more masculine connotation.

Answer 9

I think that a woman is made up of many different things.I true woman to me is one that knows what she wants in life and doesn't use that she has between her legs to get it,but instead she works for it.She doesn't depend on a man to pay her bills of take care of her kids,but she works to get it.I true woman it also educated not when it comes to the books but when it comes to the streets so she doesn't just stand for anything.WOW,that sounds a lot like me. :D

Answer 10

All people, regardless of gender, share certain physical and non-physical traits equally. However, the various physical and non-physical traits that men and women don't share equally tend to be regarded as what makes them unique.

If I suggest any examples, I might experience the full wrath of gender egalitarians.