Do you act like a man or woman because you are supposed to?

Question

Do female or male really exist or we are just acting in a way that society force to us to?

RomanticRealist · Accepted Answer

Yes and no.

First, "female and male" are different from man/woman, in my opinion. It gets tricky at times, but generally, I accept female and male as some biological identifiers in a medical or scientific context. Other valid terms exist on this plane as well, of course - like intersex, for example.

"Man vs woman" is about another plane of discussion - gender, which is socialized.

There is no one way to act like a male or female. There is no one way inherently to act like a man, as it is a social creation that is flexible and has changed throughout history in different ways and even differs in what is acceptability from one country to another today.

I have some typical traits that cisgender women share in my society because we socialize gender at a very young age. There may also be some natural biological commonalities that I share as well (that are commonly expressed, though, not exclusively held by all females).

I was raised playing with dolls, for example, and didn't feel encouraged to do things boys often did too much. That actually has a rippling effect throughout our lives that leads up to norms adults express. There was an an engineer who gave a good tedtalk about being in that male dominated field. She did a study with kids and found the girls were more interested in reading vs some other activities that lead to a mindset and interest in engineering and she found that not many people were encouraging young girls to explore those other kinds of play that nurture different skills and interests that can lead them to STEM careers. She ended up making a board game for girls that combined the two. There's also research on how girls and women are not encouraged in STEM classes and how intimidated and excluded they can feel (in addition to discrimination) in male-dominated careers. I have friends who vouch for that in their male-dominated work places. These are just a few of many ways that the socialization of gender affects outcomes in behavior, interests, life choices, career choices for women and men.

So long story short to answer your question without getting too in the weeds of sociology and political science - I have some traits thought to be "acting like a woman" and I have some that aren't. I'd say physically, I mirror some ideas of what women should look like, dress like, and my behaviors on interests are pretty traditionally considered "feminine" by mainstream society. I love fashion, I have a specifically "feminine" way of dressing, I like makeup and skin care and read/watch content about it often, I unfortunately don't take initiative to build things much right now, I'm not very sporty, I like talking about emotions/feelings/psychological development/relationships, I embrace introspection, etc.

On the other hand, I also have some traits that are not considered traditionally feminine. (This doesn't mean they're not common among women, just that old-fashioned ideas deem them to be "masculine.") I'm very logical in my reasoning and my manner of arguing my points - picking apart someone's logic and lack of evidence is what I do best. I'm argumentative, but not in an excessively emotional way usually - it's about the logic, which actually pisses some people off more. I've had people erupt while I'm calmly explaining why they're wrong because points ABCD. I think people like it better when women make things subjective and get emotional. It's easier to dismiss than "here's why your opinion isn't logically sound." I can be competitive and I'm assertive about disagreeing with people and not just passively accepting that they're correct, regardless of how confident they are. I'm confident and assertive in general - many don't think women should be.

I'd say I also have had a hard time receiving in the past. As a young feminist, I would take any attempt at helping me as an insult or I didn't like the sexist roots of chivalry (still valid). However, I've changed on that, and work on receiving more. This isn't because I'm a woman though - I think balance in both "feminine and masculine energies" is important for everyone and receiving is important for the people in my life to feel as needed and validated as I like to feel when I help others. I'm no stranger to accepting help really, but it's my concept of what it means for someone to help me that has changed. And I'm glad because I think my relationship is healthier for it. I still get irritated when my dad wants to drive across multiple states to help me put together furniture, but now it's like - if that makes him feel happy and needed and it helps me, why not? Let it go.

ShellyB · Accepted Answer

I have thought about this a lot and yes we are different but WHERE is that difference is a good question, I think there may be some differences in how our brains work (probably are) but I think mainly we experience the world v. differently because of our bodies and that affects our perceptions, behavior etc. A lot of it would sound like stereotypes if I list it but stereotypes are stereotypes bc they are based on something. If a guy walks down the street alone at night he might get in a fight I might get raped or abducted or killed so, that affects how I view walking down streets alone at night, if a guy's car breaks down at midnight it will be annoying if my car breaks down at mightnight when I am alone I might get raped or killed so I do not drive alone at night if I can avoid it. There is birth control now but for thousands of years if a woman has sex with multiple men she will get pregnant pretty soon and then she is pregnant for 9 months and then she has a baby to take care of, if a man has sex with multiple women nothing has to happen unless the legal system or a girl's family does something to him, even then he could just move to another area probably. Also it is easy for guys to get orgasms harder for girls, so for a lot of reasons we are not out looking to hook up nearly as much which results in behavior differences like we don't pursue you bc we don't need to as much, we get pursued. I could keep going but I think the difference is mostly just our bodies, I think our bodies affect our brains more than the other way around.

OpenClose · Accepted Answer

It's kind of a mix for me? Like my goal is not to care, but let's be real, that's impossible. Everyone notices. Everyone feels some sort of pressure.

But yeah sometimes I love trolling guys when they're getting anxious over super arbitrary shit. Had a guy give me shit about drinking wine. So I poured me another glass, this time a rosé so it's extra pink. Added a cherry. And drank it while giving him flirty eyes. He would also give me shit for driving an EV like "oh no I literally double the horsepower and torque of your truck, but it looks like a jellybean HOW UNMANLY."

Or like that guy on here who posted that "it is physically repulsive that guys take pictures with their mouth open". Hysterical. I'll pour another glass of wine in my EV just for him.

But when we're in the woods and I need to check out a sound in the dark and the girls get behind me like "omg spooky sound", then yeah no problem taking the lead there, that's when it's fun.

There are probably a few things I would do differently were it more acceptable. Certainly regarding style. Literally anything that deviates from macho-orthodoxy will get shit laid on you. At my last job, they used to give one of the guys a hard time for wearing shirts that, you know, fit. Meanwhile I'd dress somewhere between Wakandan and Jack Sparrow if people didn't look at us like we're psycho if we so much as wear a bracelet. Girls have no idea how much more range of expression they have here. But I guess going shirtless on the beach outweighs having literally 95%+ of clothing options? This is one place where you kinda have to care. Because if you're trying to express yourself, and all people see is "crazy", then it kinda defeats the purpose.

Sixgunsound · Accepted Answer

I think both sexes are given instincts from millennia of evolution or biology and choices that our ancestors made to pass mental social and physical traits on to children that survived. That doesn’t just happen in a vacuum. I think that there is a lot of programming from parents and educators and society writ large, but there is also a lot of software already on board in the bios and the operating system.

20yearsolder · Answer

I'm just being myself. I'm not acting in any certain way to fit into society. Their opinion of me doesn't make a bit of fucking difference. Unless they are fucking me, feeding me or paying my bills. No one's opinion matters. There's no doubt I am a man

Anonymous · Answer

Do you act as a human because you are supposed too? That’s the same way asking about genders. You don’t wake up and alert yourself act like a women. You act biologically as it comes.

For example when you stay with girl - friends you don’t burp and randomly fart and laugh and say like like bro that was awesome and then pick up your nose after right ? No you don’t. Because as a women you want to represent beauty and softness. Some might comment oh no I do that with my girlfriends. what u takin abot.
—Oh come on Brianna you are a unicorn and you might be stinky then 🥹 jk
But Men do ! they even do fart games.
So wake up and live biologically as it comes.. to be a women and a men. You don’t do it because you are supposed to.

Bratsondanielle · Answer

Female and male exist. It's the reason bathrooms all around the world is divided into women and men.

Male = xy chromosome and external genitalia

Female = xx chromosome and internal genitalia

Males have higher testosterone which make males more aggressive

Males are stronger which is why when you see a guy competing in girls swimming that guy automatically wins

AddylynnNightingale · Answer

Kind of. Maybe. I don't know. Maybe subconsciously. Every now and then he cooks for me, but usually I shoo him away so I can cook for him. Is it society? I do like to cook. I just happen to be a woman. But he can cook too and I don't look at him as less masculine. What is feminine and masculine has kind of become a blur to me as time passed.

Anonymous · Answer

I am male and I am very comfortable acting like a man. I do some things that are sometimes seen as traditionally seen as female - like cooking and baking, but I don't GAF what anyone else thinks. I don't feel forced into anything. You should blame anyone else, either. Nobody puts a gun to your head and foces you to wear a dress.

Anonymous · Answer

Society doesn't make women act like women and men act like men; genetics do. Men and women are different and naturally behave differently. That has been the case since the dawn of time, before "society" even existed. People who say it's because of "society" are usually just looking for excuses for something.

Aiko_E_Lara · Answer

It isn't a social construct. Women do women things and men do men things because it's hardwired.

FilmGuy93 · Answer

No, I would say that I do it because it feels natural to me. I act like a masculine man because I am a man who is masculine. I love, cherish, respect, and adore the women in my life, and it so happens that those women are feminine.

NewsReader · Answer

Did you skip or fail biology in school? We act the way we do because of the way we are born. It's in our nature to be who we are. It's not acting.

Anonymous · Answer

My first wet dream featured Sarah Michelle Geller and Mellisa Joan Hart masturbating together at the pool and then kissing each other before full lesbian sex. Way back in the day when they were in their prime.

Berethor · Answer

Trans and feminist nonsense? I was born a male, me acting like a man is mostly natural.

slatyb · Answer

I've never acted any way because I was "supposed to". I've always done what I wanted consistent with earning a living.

Panzer21 · Answer

I believe there is a way I should conduct myself, and I try to stick to it. Whether its society's mold or not doesn't matter, its comfortable and right for me.

Becky316 · Answer

The liberal bs can go love itself (I still love that phrase) I do what I do to take care of me and cause I love being beautiful. I was born with tits and a puss. THAT is what makes me a woman!

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

I act as a man because it's just something that comes naturally to me. It means I dress as a man, walk as a man and have the voice of a man. I don't follow society BS expectations for my life.

JustiReno · Answer

Being a man is the best thing in the world 1. you have a dick 2. you can use it to fuck pussies 3. the balls sit nice too

PamelaRivers · Answer

I act like me. Conforming to societal norms is not my problem.

EmmaMary · Answer

I just simply act the way I was brought up and how I feel I should.

NathanDavis · Answer

I am what I am... and that's it never really cared if others see it as manly or womanly

Steamnir · Answer

No, its because whats comfort to me and my body

SmokinAces2000 · Answer

I wasn’t forced to act like anything, if I wanted to act like a woman I would but that’s not how I was born and I have no desire to act like anything other than a “man”

PainusNdeeAnus · Answer

Its not an act it’s what we are. no matter what for the rest of our lives we will either be a man or a woman.

Jamie05rhs · Answer

NGL; I probably act non-binary. I don't give a fuck.

RARETRAMP · Answer

I act like a douche because women love it and men hate it!!!

joeldalton · Answer

You act like your gender because of thousands of years of evolution and biology.

Anonymous · Answer

I'm pretty sure female and male exist. But, I do still act more feminine because it's what people expect. Unless I'm mad, then I act and dress more masculine out of, I don't know, spite I guess?

AngryCarl · Answer

I act like myself. I don't think I'm typical of either gender.

JulianGronkowski · Answer

I think I act like a normal man in public. From a sexual perspective I’m far from normal though.

Dinosaursandanime65 · Answer

Yes, male and female exist. What kind of question is this respectfully

justint043 · Answer

Um no I act the way I want to. There are such things as men and women. I don't know where all this crazy liberal shit comes from but

Anonymous · Answer

I don't have to act like anything. I'm being myself. simple as that.

Sabretooth · Answer

We all have our parts to play or there's chaos.

BLP11520 · Answer

What is going on now is nuts. The distinction between male and female has been blurred so much.

Anonymous · Answer

I act like a man because I was born male and I'm normal.

Anonymous · Answer

I act like a man because I am one. Stop overthinking this.

curlyfirecracker · Answer

Nope. Does this need more explanation?

LazerBean · Answer

No, I just act how I am.

Danny_dan92 · Answer

I like women because I’m a straight male.

BarryLiverstone · Answer

I’m a male. My mom is female. Seems easy

moviedude714 · Answer

I never was a fan of certain expectations

MrTaboo · Answer

Man, b3cause I am one

Dreamclouds · Answer

I think society really makes us be somehow

TroyDT2 · Answer

More biology

rossbutler · Answer

I act like myself

Do you act like a man or woman because you are supposed to?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

How should men and women act like?

Do you act like a man or woman because you are supposed to?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

How should men and women act like?

We're glad to see you liked this post.