In a nutshell
Viva la differance!
Pregnancy can be uncomfortable, and childbirth is painful, but babies are awesome. Totally worth it, in my book. I have two, and would have more if time allowed.
So? We’re all going to die eventually; who cares if the human race continues or not? So again, birth is optional, for both the entire race and on an individual level.
Lavenderviolet, while men’s dangly bits are more prone to injury (and the aforementioned “kick in the crotch”) a woman is not immune in that area.
Years ago I had strung a hammock on the beach in Hawai’i and was happily snoozing. A friend decided to join me in the hammock by jumping in. The cord suspending the hammock broke, dumping me on the sand. Many beaches in Hawai’i have rocks, and this one was no exception. Just under the sand was a large rock. I landed on it with the contact area being my pubis right at the cleft.
Can you say “ouch”? Thought you could!
I looked like one of the guys in “Funniest Home Videos” who has just received a baseball bat in the crotch. I held myself and writhed on the ground. My entire pubic mound turned a lovely shade of purple.
I’ve never had children (intentionally) so I don’t know about that. I do know I have to respect my husband for (among other things) putting up with me for all these years. I am one of those unfortunate women who suffer badly from PMS, and there have been times that I don’t like me!
Well…me. Admitaly we are kind of a virus on the planet. But we’re interesting. I want us to continue.
Fair enough; I like us too. I’m just not too concerned about our species continued presence beyond my time here.
(emphasis added)
Ahem. Some of us womenfolk do this to each other, y’know.
Besides, I don’t really consider having boobs a particular plus. Even my tiny ones just get in the way and are entirely without purpose.
Also, quoting you that way highlights an awesome post/username combo.
Well, there’s impotence, which the ladies don’t have to worry about . . . and the shorter life expectancy . . . but really, most of the drawbacks to being a guy are emotional. We’re blatantly and subtly pressured, we pressure ourselves, to succeed in life (and dominate), in ways you can’t imagine. When we can’t get laid, we are not only frustrated but humiliated, in ways even the ugliest, fattest chick in the room can’t imagine. And so on.
Well that’s rather self involved. Life goes on without you. But I don’t mean to make this into a nastsy disscussion so I’ll just go back to the elephant thread. (And I hope they continue as well)
I’d say it has something to do with each and every one of them being descended from a long line of breeders.
It’s hardly self-involved. Perhaps I should clarify: what I meant was, why does it matter whether the race survives or not? The only thing that concerns me is what I do with my life. If everyone stopped having babies right now, I wouldn’t care.
It’s not as if I’m wishing for a mass extinction after my death; I’m merely pointing out the perseverance of our species is entirely optional, down to the individual level. And regardless of that outcome, the end result matters not.
What are you, going to get tarred and feathered, tossed on the wagon and thrown out of town? If I grow a beard, people either assume I’m a drug-loving hippie or I’m going to blow something up.
That must be a reigonal thing. My husband keeps a full beard, but also keeps his head shaved. No one cares. People often compliment him on his lovely beard. Some people have even complimented him on the nicely shaped head he has.
Many of the female disadvantages (periods, PMS, pregnancy) go away eventually. But you still get the good parts (possibility of multiple orgasms, for example, and the ability to share your feelings) stay. You keep your hair even when you’re old.
Not always, unfortunately.
Uh…stauner? 
I mean, I think it’s pretty obvious, but I’d love to know the entyomology of THAT.
I’ve never had a baby, but I’ve heard women who have describe it as “pain with a purpose.” Yes, it hurts, but your body is doing what it’s designed to do and at the end, you get a baby. Psychologically, that’s very different from being in pain because you’ve just sliced off your finger. (Again, I’ve never given birth, so others are much more qualified to discuss it.)
Even with the inconvenient, painful bits, I love being a woman and can’t imagine giving it up. I do think the sheer bloodiness of being female tends to make women less squeamish than men. Could just be the men and women I know, though.
And I say again, it matters to me. We’re an annoying specices but we have our moments.
At first glance that seems very sweet and noble. But I can see problems ahead if she wants to have another baby in the future and you are so afraid of her being in pain that you refuse to have sex with her. Let her be the one to decide if the pain is worth it, and if you can’t stand to watch, well, men have waited it out in waiting rooms before…she won’t be thrilled with you, but she won’t have to worry about you either.
The good thing about childbirth is you rapidly forget how bad it was. Oh, sure, you remember if it was bad, but you don’t relive the intensity of the pain. And the more babies you have the easier it can get. I was my mom’s fourth, and she said she didn’t even need any painkillers (and this was 50 years ago when EVERYONE got painkillers) and saved so much on the anesthesiologist bill that they could afford to buy a dryer! And you do get a baby at the end. And your body is doing what it was designed to do. And the pain can be managed, in many ways. Don’t deny her a second child when she’s ready for one just because you were uncomfortable watching the process.
Whatever gets you off, honey.
Given the world’s overpopulation, it’s safe to say that the human race would do just fine if you decided not to have kids. And if half of the world decided not to have kids as well. Hell, I bet we’d be better off.
You don’t have to shave your “other” hair any more than we have to shave our “other” hair. Especially considering that most women can afford to alienate potential sexual partners, and to be picky about their partners.
I believe it. I’ll never forget the blood-curdling scream of a man passing a kidney stone. I heard it a number of times in boot camp and it is haunting.
“Entirely without purpose”? Now you know I will NOT believe that without a cite.