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If life were a game of poker, gender might just be the hand you’re dealt at birth. And as you grow up, society helpfully slides you a cheat sheet on how to play it. If you’re a man: be tough, successful, and stoically suppress your emotions until they leak out at inappropriate moments. If you’re a woman: look pretty, be nice, and juggle the impossible expectation of being everything to everyone.

But what if, somewhere between these neatly labeled boxes, you start wondering: What if I could choose? Not in the biological sense, but in the existential one. What if you could pick your role, your rules, your place in society? Would you stay in your assigned lane, or would you switch sides and see what the other team is all about?

The Case for Being a Man

Let’s face it: the grass often seems greener on the other side of the gender fence. Men, historically speaking, have had it pretty good. They weren’t forced into corsets, they weren’t expected to bleed quietly once a month, and nobody ever questioned their ability to lead because they happened to wear pants.

In love, men are the hunters. They’re encouraged to pursue, take risks, and move on without society labeling them as desperate or clingy. A breakup for a man is often a stepping stone; for a woman, it’s a societal failure (How could she let herself go like that?). And in work? Men have the privilege of ambition without the double-edged sword. Be assertive, and you’re a leader. Be direct, and you’re respected. There’s no whispering about whether you’re too emotional or maybe just on your period.

But before we get carried away, let’s remember: being a man isn’t exactly a free ride. Society also tells them not to cry, not to show fear, and to be the perpetual provider. Vulnerability is considered weakness, and therapy is often viewed as a last resort, not a maintenance check.

The Perks of Being a Woman

Now let’s talk about womanhood—a world of multitasking magic, emotional intelligence, and accessories that actually sparkle. Women have an inherent power that society often underestimates: the ability to connect, nurture, and rally entire armies (literal or metaphorical) when needed.

In love, women are the nurturers, the muses, the ones who hold it all together. We’re not just pursued; we’re idolized (at least in theory). Sure, the pressure to be effortlessly beautiful, wildly successful, and completely selfless is exhausting, but there’s something undeniably powerful about being the subject of art, poetry, and late-night text messages that start with, “I miss you.” And in today’s world, women are rewriting the rules. We’re CEOs and single moms, activists and artists, leaders and dreamers. The glass ceiling is cracking, albeit slowly, and every time one of us succeeds, we pull the next woman up with us.

But let’s be real: society still hasn’t caught up with the idea that women can be everything and still have needs. The emotional labor, the societal expectations, the pressure to stay “likeable” while breaking barriers—it’s a balancing act that can feel more like a circus performance.

The Bigger Question

But whether you’re a man, a woman, or somewhere beautifully in between, society loves to hand you a script. It tells you how to love, how to live, and what your worth is based on your gender. But what happens when you decide not to follow it?

Because, at the end of the day, being a man or a woman—or any identity—isn’t the whole story. It’s just one chapter in the messy, complex, and beautiful novel of you. Maybe the real question isn’t, Would I choose to be a man or a woman? Maybe it’s, How do I choose to live as myself, in a world that wants to define me before I even get a say?

So, whether you lean into the masculine, the feminine, or a cocktail of both, remember this: gender might shape your path, but it doesn’t have to define your destination. Wear the suit. Wear the dress. Or wear both.

Life isn’t about sticking to one side of the aisle—it’s about owning the whole damn runway.

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