Kimberly Simonds

If I was to be asked "What behavior and thoughts would be different if you were born of the opposite sex? I was born a female. If I were a male, I know life would have been extremely different. For instance, as a young boy, I would have been able to "rough house" play, and to be loud and noisy. When I was growing up, I was expected to be passive, quiet and play with dolls. My teenage years would be different as well if I was a male. I feel that I would have a lenient curfew with my parents. It would also be more accepted if I was rebellious. I would, without a doubt, have less physical and emotional changes going through puberty. Growing up as a female in my teenage years, my parents would seldom let me go out on a date; I was asked the "101 questions." Where are you going? Who are you going with? What are you going to do? When are you coming home? etc...(The list goes on and on) I grew up with two brothers; they were never asked these questions. If I ever got in the slightest trouble, I got the riot act, grounded for weeks and the feeling of disappointment toward my parents. Puberty is a whole new ball game in itself. If I was a male, my voice would change, as a female, it was my job to be presentable, for example, do my hair, make-up, shave various parts of the body, (arms and legs) and we can't forget the menstrual cycle. So, in all aspects, this is actually when I would love being a male. As an adult, being a male has its advantages and disadvantages. If I was a male, the advantages would include, not giving birth, raising the children and the housework. The disadvantage would be the pressure of maintaining a steady income for my family. I would always have to protect the family emotionally, physically and monetary. As a female, we are naturally nurturing. For me, raising my children and cleaning the house was the better end of the stick, than that of my husband. The advantages are after work, being a male, I would be able to relax the rest of the day, have a meal cooked for me, my clothes cleaned and my castle (home) clean and organized.

My Interview

My interviewee was a female; no names are mentioned to protect her identity. The question at hand for this interview is, "Do you think your life would be different if you were born a male?" My interviewee answered yes, that her life would be different as a male. She claims that she would not endure female health issue or pains (Cists on ovaries) that a male does not have that problem. The interviewee also claimed that her parents wanted a boy, when she was born. Furthermore, the interviewee claims that if she was a male, her parents would have been less strict on the nightly curfew rules. I proceeded to ask her. "How does that make you feel?" Her response... ANGRY".  In the regards of younger siblings, she has a sister, if she were a male, there would have been less responsibility to help her mother tend and care for her sister, if she was a male. I asked the interviewee, "Do you think your friendships would be different?" she claims it would be different, in a negative sense, she claims that male friendships tend to drift apart through the years. The interviewee was then asked a question in relating to the work place. "If she was male, would it influence her choice of job she is seeking now?" The respondent claims "no" Her future job is in the Criminology field, she claims that the female gender is highly sought out for in this field.

http://icati.catishack.com/uploads/KimSimonds/KimSimonds-14152302983-20140911-1410398498.604.mp3

Note: This interview would not be valid to use in my study. I did not get consent from the interviewee.