Do you feel uncomfortable in an all female environment? My stepmom does and I think that's strange. Like she has issues with women or something. However, she seems to think that I'm strange because I don't mind living in an all female environment while socializing in a co-ed one. I find that co-ed living conditions breeds cattiness in females. I'm not a lesbian or a feminist separatist I just don't think that I should live with men who are not either relatives or a boyfriend. Are there any other women who feel the same?

I don't feel strange in an all female environment. It can be empowering in ways you don't expect.

I'm more comfortable in an all female enviroment

CalhounSq said:

That's how I feel but my stepmom thinks that means I have man issues. But she's the one with my dad which says alot about her man issues.

I'm fine in a female environment.. though I dont see anything wrong with living with a male person (even though you're not in a relationship).. I think it depends on the person, coz like me, I've got many male FRIENDS and get along with guys alot better than most girls.. but I'm cool with in a female enviroment..

I work in an all-female environment. There are pros and cons. On one hand, we can talk about girly stuff without freaking anybody out, and we don't feel like we have to prove ourselves to each other.

On the other hand, when we had a guy around in the past it really lightened things up for some reason. It was like having a little brother. We all harassed him and had a great time.

I prefer guys as friends, and on the whole I think I like a co-ed environment.

tackam said:

I like co-ed working, socializing and educational environments but as far as living I think that a co-ed environment is a bit much.

jessyMD32781 said:

Some people just can't break from the "norm" I went to an all female college & all people could say when I got accepted was, "those lesbians are gonna get you!" WTF?? No mention of what a great school it was, how much I'd learn, etc. I thought that was kinda silly. But people don't realize the benefits that can come from a situation like that, that being away from men in some areas of your life can make you a more focused person/student & a stronger woman (not that I realized ANY of that before I went, lol, but it sure hit me once I was there)...

Sandra said:

I have more female friends than male ones BUT I hang out & travel w/ my male friends more often. I'm comfy in both, pretty comfy in an all male environment too

CalhounSq said:

That's what I don't get. I don't see why people think that all female environments=lesbianism. I've lived in an all female dorm for the past four years and none of my friends wholive there are lesbians. The lesbian population on campus sems to live in the co-ed dorms. I also think that living in an all female environment has allowed me to have a stronger sense of self and has kept me out of harmful relationships with men.

I was raised by my dad and live with my best friend who is male. We also work together. My friends are mostly male as well.

Women are cool but I've never fit in too well with them, even in school. I was a tomboy and not to be stereotypical, but wasn't into the frills, prom, makeup, etc. Don't get me wrong, I took care of myself, but got more kicks out of playing all the contact sports and making fun of the cheerleaders. There were a few times when I wanted to be in that girly crowd because it seemed "normal", but just didn't care too much I guess, since I never made any effort to conform to it. I didn't know how to be that type of person and it is still alien to me. Sorry if that is all a little jumbled and off-course.

Guy friends and co-workers are more enjoyable to surround myself with, they're more laid-back, don't gossip as much, and there's less drama. I love that about guys! If I ever commit the horrendous act of marriage, I want a guy I can be best friends with. I'm not butch or manly or anything like that... but I am definitely not overly-feminine and snooty either. My stepmother is and we still can't see eye to eye. She even got a boob job last year. Makes me sick.

I have no problem focusing on the task at hand when men are around at work, either. When I'm around all women, I'm never completely comfortable. I've never fit in that way. I can also talk about girly things with my roommate if I have to... he's gay.

CalhounSq said:

yeah, I'm pretty cool in all male environments too. When I was younger I was usually surrounded by guys because I'm interested in science. In fact my best friend is a man and I've always had close male friends in my life. I guess I'm balanced in that sense.
[This message was edited Sat Mar 22 22:03:21 PST 2003 by jessyMD32781]

jessyMD32781 said:

Well there were plenty of lesbians @ my school and I had friends who experimented but name one college campus (co-ed or single sex) where that ain't the norm... *crickets*

Maybe b/c people associate college w/ crazy kids having sex all the time. I guess they figure you'll have sex w/ whoever's around, and an all female campus equals girls getting it on. I dunno... but I do agree w/ the focus it gives you as a student. I loved going to class w/o worrying about looking good for some dude in class, lol. It was all about studying & growing...

CalhounSq said:

so true. I guess I didn't think of that perecption of college. if you don't mind me asking, where did you go to college?

Because I run a program that focuses on women in various forms of relationships, there are plenty of women who have trust issues with other women. Not only trust issues but insecurities. I've always found it odd for a female to say "I just can't fit in with women or I just prefer to be around men". When you look deeper into the situation you'll find out that the female has trust issues, likes the attention of men and believes the attention from men is far more important that the bonding relationships of women.

Of course people have their preferences, but a female should have a close female friend to share with and bond with. It's very healthy. That friend can be older or younger but as long as it's a healthy relationship.

Rhondab said:

Thank you for that response! I was thinking about that last night and it does make some sense to me. When I was in high scholl I didn't really like being around women much but by living in a female environment in college I have definitely formed some close and healthy female friendships which have helped me in terms of self esteem and whatnot. I think that's true for most of my friends as well. Of course there will always be people who just have issues ...