# Do you ever wish you were the opposite gender? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 27, 2011, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982 "2011-10-27T16:49:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/61 "2011-10-29T17:04:21Z")
You know what…I voted ‘Female, never wanted to be male’ because I’m hetero. I was thinking ‘Women would drive me fucking bonkers’ but after I voted I remembered ‘Doh…I could be gay!!!’ I’d switch for a few weekends just to hit the scene. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/62 "2011-10-29T17:48:04Z")
I’m due to give birth here in about 3 weeks. I’ve never wished I could change genders so much in my life! Other than that whole birthing process I’m good with being a chick. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2011, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/63 "2011-10-29T21:46:28Z")
> [@Sleel](#): > > Our current “state of the art” genital mutilations are something that only people with a severe aversion to their current form would even consider doing . . . No amount of curiosity would get me to cut off my dangly bits and take female hormones just so I could play dress-up more convincingly. If I hadn’t made a vow to stay out of the Pit, it’s Pit-bound I would be. Instead, I shall have a nice cup of tea–with a jigger of rum in it–turn off the computer, never be a silly enough prat to open \*this \*thread again, and go look at some _Father Ted_ DVDs. ---
**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/64 "2011-10-30T02:49:29Z")
> [@Eve](#): > > If I hadn’t made a vow to stay out of the Pit, it’s Pit-bound I would be. Instead, I shall have a nice cup of tea–with a jigger of rum in it–turn off the computer, never be a silly enough prat to open \*this \*thread again, and go look at some _Father Ted_ DVDs. I am _not_ condemning people who get a sex change. I’m saying that you have to be a hell of a lot more dedicated to the idea than simple curiosity. I also think it’s awful that the best we can do to help people who are transgender is some rather crude cosmetic surgery. I know it’s a hell of a lot better than it used to be, but it’s still not all that great. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/65 "2011-10-30T04:39:26Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > It does tickle me, though, how many guys seem to assume they would automatically be an attractive woman instead of a plain Jane. I’m even more amused that many of them seem to think that they’d instantly be surrounded by similarly attractive lesbians who wanted to have sex right now. I am reminded of an interview I saw with Dustin Hoffman years ago, I think it was for one of those AFI things on TV, where he talked about his role in _Tootsie_. He spoke a little about how it felt to find himself transformed through hair/makeup/costuming into not just a woman, but a rather unattractive middle aged woman. He got kind of choked up saying that it really made him think about how he may have been rude to or dismissive of many real women based on the way they looked. ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/66 "2011-10-30T05:55:52Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Yeah, I’ve never actually wanted to _be_ a guy, I’ve just wanted to be a lot stronger and able to pee standing up. When I was around 10 years old I often tried to pee standing up. I got pretty good at it after a while. Contrary to what some people think, girls DO have good aim.😃 ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/67 "2011-10-30T06:36:53Z")
I’m a guy and have never wanted to be a girl. Before this thread, the thought never actually crossed my mind. > [@PandaBear77](#): > > Female. I chose the last option. > > I would jump at the chance to be male - for a weekend. That’s all. Got some 'speriments I wanna do and after that I’d want to go back to being female. If I were a girl, I could definitely see wanting to be a guy to perform some 'speriments as well. Don’t all girls wonder about this from time to time? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/68 "2011-10-30T11:29:06Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > I’m even more amused that many of them seem to think that they’d instantly be surrounded by similarly attractive lesbians who wanted to have sex right now. Well, they _are_ guys… I’m sure it seems entirely reasonable to them. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Capitaine\_Zombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/69 "2011-10-30T19:37:32Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > I’m even more amused that many of them seem to think that they’d instantly be surrounded by similarly attractive lesbians who wanted to have sex right now. Frankly if I was under a sex change/lesbian spell, I wouldnt be picky. Just need a partner to check the machinery, preferably a partner with expertise. > [@Lamia](#): > > I am reminded of an interview I saw with Dustin Hoffman years ago, I think it was for one of those AFI things on TV, where he talked about his role in _Tootsie_. He spoke a little about how it felt to find himself transformed through hair/makeup/costuming into not just a woman, but a rather unattractive middle aged woman. He got kind of choked up saying that it really made him think about how he may have been rude to or dismissive of many real women based on the way they looked. Yeah, soooo different from the treatment very average looking guys would get. Sucks to be female. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/70 "2011-10-30T20:05:36Z")
> [@Capitaine\_Zombie](#): > > Frankly if I was under a sex change/lesbian spell, I wouldnt be picky. Just need a partner to check the machinery, preferably a partner with expertise. Trust me on this, your odds of finding a willing lesbian partner at all would be pretty low. And that is not a dig at your personally, I’m saying that lesbians are a small percentage of the population and many (probably most) aren’t particularly interested in one-night stands with strangers. > [@](#): > > Yeah, soooo different from the treatment very average looking guys would get. Sucks to be female. I imagine Dustin Hoffman knows a fair amount about being an average looking man. ---
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/71 "2011-10-30T21:13:47Z")
Male genitalia can be very annoying. It’s always moving, changing size, getting caught in things. Sometimes you get an erection just walking to class in jeans and have to sit down and pinch your arm hard to try to redirect the blood. You have trouble hiding it when you get turned on in a awkward situation to be turned on (such as in a workout room). And even if you are in great shape, you look kind of stupid naked. In my imagination women get to look awesome naked or scantily clad in almost any situation, and don’t have to worry about having to jump off a treadmill and hide because their shorts rubbed against them and caused an obvious-to-everyone physical reaction. I haven’t actually wanted to change gender, but I’ve certainly wished occasionally for these (imagined) benefits of being female. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/72 "2011-10-30T22:15:02Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > I’m a guy and have never wanted to be a girl. Before this thread, the thought never actually crossed my mind. > > If I were a girl, I could definitely see wanting to be a guy to perform some 'speriments as well. Don’t all girls wonder about this from time to time? Please elaborate. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Bosstrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstrain)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/73 "2011-10-30T22:34:12Z")
> [@Carmady](#): > > Male genitalia can be very annoying… …Sometimes you get an erection just walking to class in jeans and have to sit down and pinch your arm hard to try to redirect the blood. Ummm… It’s called control, for one thing, and unless your mind is in the gutter for that instance, merely walking around will not give you a hard-on, in fact it’s very unlikely to even get in a situation like this unless you’re allowing your mind to wonder too much. I’m not sure how old you are, but I highly suggest wanking in the bathroom if you find yourself constantly having this problem on the way to class, being a minute late isn’t as bad as poking someone’s eye out cause your junk is magnetized ;). ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/74 "2011-10-31T01:40:01Z")
> [@Carmady](#): > > In my imagination women get to look awesome naked or scantily clad in almost any situation, and don’t have to worry about having to jump off a treadmill and hide because their shorts rubbed against them and caused an obvious-to-everyone physical reaction. I haven’t actually wanted to change gender, but I’ve certainly wished occasionally for these (imagined) benefits of being female. Yeah, it’s pretty cool except those 5 or so days a month our genitals drool blood and mucus, making us worry if our “sanitary protection” is leaking through our clothes. Naked and/or “scantily clad” is not so sexy under those circumstances. Let’s just say that both sexes have their good points and their bad points. ---
**Author:** ![SecretaryofEvil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SecretaryofEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecretaryofEvil)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/75 "2011-10-31T04:07:48Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Let’s just say that both sexes have their good points and their bad points. :eek: But that would be reasonable and accurate. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/76 "2011-10-31T04:10:20Z")
I am amused at all the ladies doubting I’d be anything other than a hot smokin’ girl or that I would fail to attract some hot smokin’ lesbians. How could it possibly be any other way??? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/77 "2011-10-31T09:12:05Z")
> [@Bosstrain](#): > > 😕 Is there something I’m missing out on I don’t know about? Some ‘card’, as you say, that I could play and turn my life around with the drop of a hat? C’mon, guys, don’t hold out on me, this isn’t fair! 😃 In the interests of fighting ignorance, you and the others who’ve asked this, might want to read this [list of 50 things](http://www.amptoons.com/blog/files/mcintosh.html#daily) you may take for granted. White priviledge doesn’t mean people come up to you and hand you jobs/money/fame/women just because you’re white - it does mean you’re a lot less likely to get harrassed for being “other” than a white dude though. (not picking on you in particular Bosstrain, your post was just a good one to use to answer the question!) ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/78 "2011-10-31T15:14:39Z")
> [@Bosstrain](#): > > Ummm… It’s called control, for one thing, and unless your mind is in the gutter for that instance, merely walking around will not give you a hard-on, in fact it’s very unlikely to even get in a situation like this unless you’re allowing your mind to wonder too much. I’m not sure how old you are, but I highly suggest wanking in the bathroom if you find yourself constantly having this problem on the way to class, being a minute late isn’t as bad as poking someone’s eye out cause your junk is magnetized ;). Glad you’re able to do that, but I assure you that for some men, even those with rather good ‘control’, this remains quite the issue. It’s not debilitating, but things happen. On the OP: there are some uniquely feminine \*experiences \*I’d like to have. Multiple orgasms spring to mind (I’m not sure how one of my partners with a sensitive g-spot managed to avoid going insane) as does childbirth. No irony there; women have the option to have children without taking on a partner. As a rule, this isn’t on the table for men. I probably wouldn’t do this, but I do envy women this. I’d never want to actually make the switch, though. The more time I spend with women, the more glad I am that I’m a man. I’m not being misogynist here; I just really like the way I am. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/79 "2011-10-31T15:26:21Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > It does tickle me, though, how many guys seem to assume they would automatically be an attractive woman instead of a plain Jane. My sisters and I have always had very similar looks, and my older sister is just 11 months older than me. So I’ve got a pretty good idea of what I’d look like now if I’d been born female. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2011, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982/80 "2011-10-31T16:23:29Z")
> [@hermette](#): > > In the interests of fighting ignorance, you and the others who’ve asked this, might want to read this [list of 50 things](http://www.amptoons.com/blog/files/mcintosh.html#daily) you may take for granted.) :dubious: That list makes pretty good sense, but the top two items, as well as several further down, seem to translate to “I get to be a bigot if I want”. Sure, a privilege, I guess, but… maybe not one that you should wish for, no matter what color you are. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-wish-you-were-the-opposite-gender/600982.md?page=5)