Or just a little bit of both

[Brengirl]

I was born female. But, have never ever been really 'feminine', if you know what I mean? I am not delicate and never ever demeaning so am I an in between. You 'boys'!! Do you have the nurturing and subservient bit?
When it comes to gender who or what defines the characteristic straits. Do you lean a bit?

[binley100]

In other words are you in touch with your feminine side.?
I am most definately female but choose to live in jeans rather than floaty dresses (just don't feel comfortable) also never been one to "bat my lashes " to get my own way.

[lindyloo]

not sure what you mean by "never ever demeaning" brengirl? do you mean you think that being feminine is demeaning, or do you mean that you are never subservient, which is a different thing entirely?

as far as i am concerned, you can be womanly without being a fluffy type girl; i have a love of adventure and drama, i am a dreamer, have a childish sense of humour, and still very in touch with my innerchild- ie i havent grown up yet, i would like to think i am a woman after the sort of heriones you would find in an old melodramatic film like gone with the wind, or jamiaca inn , or an old cowboy film, you know the sort- a strong survivor, whilst still being a woman, but also very down to earth and practical. i like nice clothes and luxery, and at the same time i can put ina livestock fence by myself, i have built a stable, i can change a tyre. i state my mind and dont suffer fools gladly, i take on a lot of responsibility, and will turn my hands to man-jobs, although i prefer a man to do it as that is what they are built for. ( plus, i think they really like to do it- it makes them feel good) i like old fashioned chivalry and good manners, but i am not a girly girl. i prefer to think of myself as a real woman, who doesnt compete with men, but has a complimentary role, as they do to us.

i just cant see what all the complication is about in this nowadays , we are all many parts of a whole; men too, imo a man should be the strong one, and a woman who is equally strong should be beside him. and at the same time, i dont see why a man shouldnt express his feminine side; if that means crying or whatever, well- i think that takes a strong man to show the depth of feeling openly too. if we are lucky we surround ourselves with friends or partners whose strentghs and weaknesses compliment our own, so that as a unit, we become stronger together.

we are all individual, and when it comes to partners, it whatever dynamics work for the people involved, there is ussaully a stronger personality involved whenever more than one person is present in any situation. - i dont think its a case more of one gender or another, or maybe it is simply that i dont like labels, or being labeled- i dont feel the need to belong in a designated box

[Glutton4...]

I used to work for someone who said he liked male women more than female women! Mr. G. says I'm a bloke with t*ts! Bless!

He cooks and cleans, and 'understands,' unlike most blokes I've met, so I guess we're well suited.

[Brengirl]

Lindy, who could ever dispute what you have to say. We should all be part of a whole..complimentary.

Glutton... I think your old man and me would get along just fine....accept I hav'nt got ti*s that anyone would notice.

Back to old old subject!!!! Why do men find globules of fat with a knob on so interesting.

[piskieinboots]

....Why do men find globules of fat with a knob on so interesting.

Is it only me that doesn't understand this? Probably

[Glutton4...]

Is it only me that doesn't understand this? Probably

T*ts Piskie T*ts! Shakes head

Dunno Bren - I spent years wanting mine to grow, then they did and I decided I hated 'em!

Still, a few more years and I'll be able to tuck 'em in me knickers! LOL

[rustylady]

I think we're all a bit of both Bren. I was never a girly girl - used to help my Dad service his motorbike, loved riding pillion with him, and spent the evenings at the village youth club playing darts and pool with the lads. I think women are better at acknowledging their "male side" (e.g. doing the gardening, decorating and DIY) than men are at acknowledging that they have a "feminine side" and are allowed to be emotional and caring. They do not have to be tough and macho all the time, and I for one do not particularly like men that are.

[Bramble_killer]

I wear floaty dresses and skirts and sometimes I even wear makeup. But I think like a boy, I can't stand girly conversations and don't have empathy.

An ex once woke me up in the middle of the night and said his ear hurt and I told him to man up and went back to sleep. Turned out he had an ear infection :O

OH had a stinking migraine a few days ago and I told him to not have a headache.

I'm analytical instead of emotional. It's probably why I'm good at my job

Everyone is a little bit of this and that really.

[Snadger]

I wash an odd dish now and again........does that count?

I've often wondered whether bulls get turned on by cows udders?

[binley100]

Still, a few more years and I'll be able to tuck 'em in me knickers! LOL

I'd have to wear simon Cowell ones to do that

[kirsty b]

I think we're all a bit of both Bren. I was never a girly girl - used to help my Dad service his motorbike, loved riding pillion with him, and spent the evenings at the village youth club playing darts and pool with the lads. I think women are better at acknowledging their "male side" (e.g. doing the gardening, decorating and DIY) than men are at acknowledging that they have a "feminine side" and are allowed to be emotional and caring. They do not have to be tough and macho all the time, and I for one do not particularly like men that are.

I think you have it Rustylady.
I love makeup and pretty things around the house, but live in scruffs when not in work uniforms (but do put my face on) See very little point in glamming up to do housework/walk dog etc....
It is nice to dress up occasionally and shock those who don't normally see it!!
My OH does not embrace his feminine side at all, unless he's trying to butter me up and then its just irritating cos I know he's after something

[Brengirl]

I really think this gender bending thing is good for us. Years ago you would never ever see a man pushing a pram, going shopping or smelling of anything other than lifebuoy soap, tobacco and beer. I believe they missed so much of the joy in being dads. Even the changing a nappy bit.

[zazen999]

It's not so much gender bending as conditioning and marketing. We all have all of the hormones in us that decide whether we are 'male' or 'female' - just one dominates to a greater or lesser extend; [nature] - but it's how we are brought up with and against each other that also guides our actions [nurture].

I think that we are all created female upon conception, it's only the hormones that develop that determines whether the ovaries stay or drop and a male develops.

So all men CAN do dishes, it's just whether they are taught or conditioned to as they grow up that determines their attitude and response and whether they have had the necessary training to enable a good washing up job to be done.

[Snadger]

It's not so much gender bending as conditioning and marketing. We all have all of the hormones in us that decide whether we are 'male' or 'female' - just one dominates to a greater or lesser extend; [nature] - but it's how we are brought up with and against each other that also guides our actions [nurture].

I think that we are all created female upon conception, it's only the hormones that develop that determines whether the ovaries stay or drop and a male develops.

So all men CAN do dishes, it's just whether they are taught or conditioned to as they grow up that determines their attitude and response and whether they have had the necessary training to enable a good washing up job to be done.

And here's me thinking that God had given women smaller shoe sizes so they could get closer to the sink!
Ashamed to say I've never changed a nappy either even though I have three kids and six grandchildren (plus one on the way).
I know this makes me sound like a male chauvanist pig, but really I'm not! (honest!)
When my kids were growing up I was working about 100 hours per week on a low wage,so never seen them.
My Dad used to keep his pay and give my Mum housekeeping after he had his beer & fag money. All my pay goes into a joint bank account and I don't smoke or drink
My Dad wouldn't carry shopping bags or push the pram I do all the shopping and DID proudly push the pram/pushchair.

As Zaz says, it's a bit of nature and nurture and each generation will slowly evolve from the nature side to the nurture side methinks!