What If?: Being a Boy

What if I was born a boy? I am convinced that my life would be much, much easier. Truly, guys have it easier! Jane Eyre has put this thought in my mind even more than usual. First of all, boys clearly do not have nearly as much pressure on them to look good as girls do. I know that I have spent many, many hours fretting over my appearance and comparing myself to other girls. Second, I feel like guys are in general much nicer to each other than girls are. Girls are by nature incredibly dramatic and catty. It makes things extremely difficult and uncomfortable. Also, in relationships, it seems like men have all the control. This isn't just within relationships, but in the circumstances leading up to them as well. Women spend days and months and years fretting over men, but in the end, it really comes down to boys to take initiative. We see how this affects Jane in her longing for Rochester. She has admitted to herself that she is in love with him, and cherishes her moments with him, but Rochester is "committed" (hmm... we'll see) to Blanche and there is nothing she can do about it. While women have gained many political rights and recognition over the years, men still seem to have the upper hand in social and romantic situations. Is this because this is nature, or protocol, or just "how things are supposed to be?" It seems like it would make sense for it to be more accepted for women to have equality in relationships just as they have gained it in other areas. Sometimes tradition is nice (like when it comes to proposals, etc.), but it certainly seems like sometimes boys can be too dumb to be trusted!!