Is it more interesting to be a woman?

I suppose its a difference. Probably testosterone has a lot to do with it. I'm glad that I seem to be more mediated by progesterone and oestrogen. My Dad always said that there should be a specific 'war area' and young men could go and fight for a bit -no special cause just reds vs blues or similar and get it out of their systems before coming home to families. An interesting thought but he was an interesting man!

Jane/Petullus

What you describe is the worst of men, but let's get it in perspective, they are a tiny minority of men world wide and IMO an even smaller minority of men in Britain. I know many men (not intimately, I would add) and none of them behave in such a manner.
There is no doubt that women are, as the norm, treated as objects in some countries, that is abhorrent.
Regarding the way young men behave after a night out, the vast majority that enjoy themselves and go home quietly do not make news, so we do not see them. The minority of thugs are the ones we hear about.
Whilst women may not fight, the drunken sights we see on TV are nothing to be proud of.

I'm not sure what this has to do with your OP Jane, which I thought was interesting.

In Sunday's Observer there was an article about a young woman in a Kenyan village who had been brutally raped by six men. She suffered severe physical injuries.

In today's Guardian there was an article about the targetting by sex traffickers of female quake victims who are forced to work in brothels, seeing many men per day seven days a week. Why do so called decent men visit these places?

Not many women do these things.

What does it all say about the differences between men and women?

I've been thinking about it all again. There's something awful about the aggression some males feel is somehow OK to express. Of course this doesn't apply to all men but somehow you don't seem to find (so many) young women who regard a punch up as a good end to a night out. As women, we are crucially aware of the risks of being attacked and raped if out alone at night but there are risks for men too. I'm speaking personally here: my DS was attacked by a gang when walking home late one night. What a mess they made of him. Fortunately he's more or less OK now (apart from a distorted nose after its being broken by the bastardsyoung scamps. His friend was less lucky this weekend in a similar situation. He has now lost an eye. Its appalling.
How can people make themselves do such awful things to another person? I just simply couldn't kick someone in the head etc.
Is there something about men having different levels of empathy? I can't even watch Casualty as I'm always thinking "that's someone's husband/daughter/family etc.
I do remember Sandi Toksvig once saying that wars should be fought by Nanas. We'd all have to come on a bus, we'd all have to go for a wee then share photos of DGSs with the opposing Nanas, have a nice cup of tea/glass of wine and just sort it all out.
Sorry rambling!

I don't think this is a question with any definitive answer. So much depends on circumstances. Things such as where you live, your standard of living, who you live with etc.

I would say though that in 'my world' I like being a woman but then I don't know what it would be like to be a man under the same conditions.

I don't see that analysing individual words out of context is in the spirit of the OP. I think Jane10's original question was quite clear and was not intended to develop into anything other than friendly reflective discussion.

Having thought about it, maybe it would be easier to be less 'interesting'. Or complicated to use an other word.

Brings to mind the well- known Chinese curse!

"Behind" is the operative word Bogoff.

Behind every good man is a better woman -- I'm sure someone must have said something like that.

No I didn't. I think all the evidence suggests that (even if I thought women were inherently "superior" - which I don't) they are certainly not in charge.

Eloethan Did you miss the "superior, discerning, in charge" bits?

Is it 'more interesting' to be a woman? How can we know?

I like being a woman, and I love female company. My DD and DDsiL are a joy, as are my DGDs. (Oh, the talk....)But I do like men very much too And my DSs and DGs are a joy too, on a different way.

Men will never, ever know what it is like to give birth - OK, sometimes we wish they could experience labour (!!) but that moment when it happens...or a baby at your breast; nothing like it in the world for those of us lucky to have done it unscathed. (I have experienced neonatal death too, BTW)

Two of the best immediate bosses with whom I have worked were female, and younger than me, and they were an enlightenment after working with men of my own age.

didn't need the 'as well' there.

Of course. And maybe it's no coincidence that men are often congratulated for being 'sly dogs' while women are criticised for being 'catty'. (although of course they're also accused of being female dog-y as well...)

Ana, you are correct, I had read Up front as being blunt. None the less it was a light hearted comparison.

I thought 'up front' meant honest...

Don't ignore "Up front" & "full of themselves" hardly traits to be admired, so I think that brings equality. Plus Lona was being humorous, in the spirit of the OP's brief.

How interesting - and typical - that men are likened to honest, loving and loyal dogs and women are likened to stand-offish and potentially vicious cats.

Thanks Bogoff

Lona, i don't think that is trivial, it is a rather apt comparison.

This a completely random thought, so I apologise in advance for being 'trivial', but what strikes me from these observations ^^, is that men are like dogs and women are like cats!

Dogs; up front, a bit full of themselves, mainly loving and loyal but don't understand cats!

Cats; superior, discerning, a bit aloof, but watch out for the claws, and although the dogs don't know it, the cats are in charge!

Am fed up that GRANSNET in its infinite wisdom has abbreviated the heading for this post in "Discussions of the day" to "Being a woman-Is it better?" I deliberately asked the question is it more interesting?: not a better/worse discussion!

Agreed- and point taken. My post was confusing- it now confuses me, even ;)

Yes, in both genders but often quite differently. Men are more direct, abrupt, but tend to be less likely to bear grudges long term. Mind you, I'd say that was for the men in 'our' day- 40s, 50s, 60s - but perhaps, as in many other things- the lines are becoming blurred and less obvious.