@MrPaul I'd prefer happiness over wisdom. Anyway, in the religions with reincarnation existence itself is a burden. I don't really agree with that sentiment.
Logically, our lives are at least equally bad.
Bear with me. A while back, I read an incredible book called "Why I'm no longer talking to white people about race". Even though I was already aware of most of the stuff it mentioned, it still opened my eyes up to a lot of shit I never picked up on. I still have a lot of learning to do, but it's one of the books that's really deepened my understanding of the nature of racism.
Anyway, these days, whenever I see guys write stuff that pretty much boils down to, "Eh, men have problems and women have problems, it's about the same in the end", I feel like a book needs to be written on "why I'm no longer talking to men about sexism." It's probably easy to tell from my post history that I've had a lot of conversations on this topic, and it's exhausting. Truthfully, I don't even bother to engage a lot of the time any more. I figure the people who want to know the answers in good faith will take the initiative and do their own research.
For the poll, I chose that I'm female and would be male in my next life.
@Importance "Interesting and thought provoking!" Yes.
If this life can't inform the next life then I'll never be aware of my previous gender. So how does it matter?
If my next life is informed by this life it would be far too confusing to take all I've become, and all I know, and re-orient it in the context of a different gender. And yes. Some people do that in real time. But I think for those folks the body follows the heart. But... being born female with the memories of life as a male? No, thank you.
@squeakytoy I'll talk to you about race. I don't know why an author thinks that problems can be solved by not talking about them?
Edit: For the record, I chose I'm male and would choose female. I don't think it is that important or useful of a choice (which i commented after my vote) but if I find that I have the choice I might as well.
This is a good TedTalk by a woman who has also lived as a man:
@xelda , this is brilliant, thank you!
Yes, Xelda and Squeaky, I appreciate both of your input. I will watch this YouTube video and I will also look into buying this book that was suggested. Both brilliant ideas. Thank you so much
@squeakytoy I don't feel like I am ill informed. Do you truly believe that being female is the largest stumbling block you have in life? That if you were male your life would improve with only nominal issues to deal with?
@BotWithFeelings I agree. Happiness always trumps wisdom. Why do you think they say “Ignorance is bliss”?
@xelda Thanks for the TED talk link, I just watched it.
I answered my own survey choosing female for my next life because I want to experience what that is like. The TED talk touched on a few issues, but I know the list must be very long.
@MrPaul I'm glad you liked it!
I'm honestly not sure which I would pick. While being a man has certain perks, so does being a woman.
Growing up, there were definitely stereotypical things... I wish I'd been taught all the "boy" things my brother was so that I could more easily fix things or build things. I wish I wasn't shamed for liking boys or feeling sexual. I wish I wasn't 99% held responsible for unintended pregnancies (also applies as an adult). I'm glad I learned all the "girl" things like cooking, cleaning, gardening, taking care of children... extremely valuable life skills!
As an adult... I'm glad that I'm not shamed for crying, hugging, cuddling, or any of the other softer "feminine" things (at least not as much as men are). I wish I wasn't shamed for all things sexual, especially if things don't go well, and often if they go exceptionally well. I wish I didn't have to constantly be on guard about my safety.
There's more, but that's enough for now.
Maybe I just wish for a world and time where gender (and race, sexual orientation, etc.) doesn't matter when it comes to what you want to do or who you want to be.
@xelda I thank you for the Ted Talk video. It was very enlightening and I am sharing it with friends and family in hopes of starting conversation.
@Mmart You are very welcome! Thank you for sharing it!