*disclaimer this blog is very gendered, not everyone that is a woman has a vagina and uterus, but in our society being a woman entails living in a misogynistic world*

So, what is a female body? Well, the answer depends on who you ask. In my opinion, being female means that you are powerful and capable of anything. However, Feminist theory and some sociologists have been arguing for the equality of what a body is. Unfortunately, that idea is not widely understood.

History and Religion

 It is very common for the female body to be seen as a disgusting vessel that’s only use is to carry children. Religion has helped with holding on to that definition of what a female body is. Max Weber, a German sociologist, touched on this subject. He described how priests ruled in favor of chastity. This continued the sexualization of bodies, especially for women. Before that sex was commonly seen as a ritual, exploring and celebrating bodies, but with that change of religious power came shame and scrutiny. Even to this day, women are expected to stay “pure” and a virgin. Saving themselves for marriage, or they will become labeled a “slut”. Because of how the female body functions, women have been seen as dirty and lesser than men. 

Wards of the State

In 2022, being a woman means living in a world that belongs 60 years in the past. In the United States, the overturning of Roe v. Wade has created a world where it is unsafe to have a female body. This overturn of this very important Supreme Court case turned back time. Throughout history, having a female body meant being controlled by men. Whether it be financially, politically, or even physically. In their book “Flesh and Bone in Social Science” Mary Kosut and Lisa Jean Moore discuss how the female body doesn’t belong to us. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, women do not have the right to abortions, birth control, or their bodies. It creates an unsafe world full of fear to be a woman.

On the other hand 

If you ask someone with knowledge of feminist theory, they will completely disagree with the historical definition of what it means to be female. It is said in our society that men are stronger than women, both intellectually and physically. But that just isn’t true. 

Feminists like to flaunt the faces of misogynists that the female body have a higher pain tolerance then men. And honestly who can blame them. Being in a female body means being told all day every day that you are just not good enough, and that shame can turn into vengeance against the patriarchy. And as I go to marches and protests, knowing for myself, what it is like to be a female.

Menstruation and cramps are bonds between women throughout all of society. Though cramps are not normal, studies have shown that some cramps are more painful than heart attacks, and that it is powerful that we as women can live our lives with that.