MaleVsFemale dominate hobbies

[ShawnaLeigh]

This has been on my mind for years.  I still live almost entirely as a male (ugh) and enjoy certain things I was raised to think of as male hobbies.  
I know in this day and age things have evened out tremendously with them but it’s still a feeling.  A hard, driven in, stereotype I’m trying to get past.  
I feel like I shouldn’t like these things anymore because it’s what I did as a guy.

Now for instance I love to shoot guns and bows and hunt with both.  I’m a fairly accurate shot with all manner of weapons but admittedly a terrible hunter.  When I am successful I feel so bad for the animal.  I respect them and never waste but I have cried more then a few times once finding one I have gotten. I mean Balling.  Lol

However the hunting seasons were my only “out of the house” dressing up I have done..  Easy to wear almost anything feminine under all your 2xl camouflage outerwear.  This includes larger breast forms and hip padding.  
 

Another things is Icefishing.  Other then my daughter I don’t know one female that enjoys this.  She just like being with “Daddy” and has picked up almost all my hobbies.  Which I am thankful for.  But she doesn’t know her Dad would rather be her Mom.

Don’t even get me started with video games.  100s of hours invested in those.  I like it best to play as a female character which kinda weirds out my kids and wife.  Lol

 

Golf.  Yes while it is definitely not just a male hobby it’s tough to see all the ladies on the coarse wearing all those cute outfits n I’m dressed as a guy.  Just saying...,

(btw I suck at golf too.  He he he)
 

Do any of you struggle with these feelings enjoying a hobby that’s always been male dominated?

 

[Jackie C.]

Hrm, I'm an avid tabletop RPG gamer. That's pretty male dominated, but I cherish all my sisters in the hobby. This one is a little interesting because I've noticed that men and women play very differently on average and my play style has always been more feminine. Though two of my favorite female friends from high school used to play as well.

 

Bazillion hours of video games. I'm bad enough that I REFUSE to play a game that forces me to play as a male. At least since embracing who I actually am. I'm just not interested in fictional guy time. I've had more than my fill of guy time. My play style is pretty feminine here too. I prefer social games with friends to shoot 'em ups or war games.

 

I'm a pretty skilled computer technician. That's traditionally male-dominated. I know women in the field, but they're very much in the minority.

 

I'm an amateur herpetologist. I adore snakes and reptiles, even if the climate up here is terrible for husbanding them.

 

Other than that... I've always loved to cook. I have a deep, burning need to have cats in the house despite my allergies. I avidly read science fiction, fantasy and horror... as does my wife. I'm an anime junkie ... so is my niece.

 

So yeah, not really a girly-girl, but pretty darn girly.

 

Hugs!

[Jani]

I love cars and all things automotive. I used to race a dedicated car; high strung race engine, full safety cage, trailered, etc.  While I no longer race since I don't have the stamina I do still have a small fleet of vehicles that I love.  I have a well equipped shop to play in.  I also love to cook and sew, always have.  While I once fretted over my "male-centric" hobbies I've found it to be a non issue.  

 

Enjoy what you do.  

Jani

[tracy_j]

It's interesting. The other day I saw an old BSA motorcycle parked outside the railway station so I spent a few minutes looking, also wondering if I stood out LOL. I used to ride all the time so do reminisce. A very major hooby of mine, which I keep low key these days, is electronics. Almost a full time occupation. I can be very academic and technical, more so even than most men. It's nice to settle down with my painting and other artwork though.

 

Tracy

[Charlize]

I am riding my old BMW now and enjoying the fact.  I loved riding when younger but thankfully now i don't have to ride to work or year round.  It's not a hobby, as it helps pay the bills, but i enjoy farming which is often perceived as a male occupation. 

I think women do virtually everything today.  The point is simply to enjoy oneself.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Robin]

Many of my hobbies are also stereotypically male.  They include collecting classic cars, motorcycles and petrol/gasoline pumps.  This does make me feel slightly awkward about myself and I have asked about it on these forums in the past.  Women have driven cars ever since cars were invented, and many women have served fuel, so there is really no reason for me to feel guilty about it.

 

Another thing that I collect is vintage vacuum cleaners.  That hobby is almost exclusively the preserve of gay men, so I don't fit that stereotype either.

 

Robin.

[Jackie C.]

9 hours ago, tracy_j said:

It's interesting. The other day I saw an old BSA motorcycle parked outside the railway station so I spent a few minutes looking, also wondering if I stood out LOL. I used to ride all the time so do reminisce. A very major hooby of mine, which I keep low key these days, is electronics. Almost a full time occupation. I can be very academic and technical, more so even than most men. It's nice to settle down with my painting and other artwork though.

 

Well you might have. Women mechanics and women who ride are HAWT. So at least it would have been in a good way.

 

Hugs!

[Charlize]

I have read that "Dykeson Bikes" a motor cycle club welcomes trans women.  If we had a local chapter i might enjoy that.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[NB Adult]

My hobby interests have changed dramatically, I used to belong to a range and do a lot of shooting, reloading, even cast my own lead bullets, haven't done any of that in years and have lost all interest. I'm big on gardening and would love to have a mini-farm and grow all my own stuff and have some chickens. I had a dozen tomato plants this year, you can't beat vine ripened tomatoesI I canned 27 quarts and we enjoyed a lot of fresh slices with meals. 

[ShawnaLeigh]

1 hour ago, NB Adult said:

My hobby interests have changed dramatically, I used to belong to a range and do a lot of shooting, reloading, even cast my own lead bullets, haven't done any of that in years and have lost all interest. I'm big on gardening and would love to have a mini-farm and grow all my own stuff and have some chickens. I had a dozen tomato plants this year, you can't beat vine ripened tomatoesI I canned 27 quarts and we enjoyed a lot of fresh slices with meals. 

I have wondered if your desires would change on some hobbies or not.  It seems only natural to have a change of heart on some more male stereotype activity.  I mean I understand girls can do anything a boy can do and vise versa.  We are proof of that!  
For me I feel I am not as “gun-ho” as I once was on some things.  I hate to think I would lose my desires for hunting or icefishing, ATVs, and all the shooting sports but I suppose I could.  
A few years ago I could give a hoot. Bout shopping.  Now I make plans to go on day trips out of state with the wife and mother-in-law.  
Last night I was picking around women’s shoes at Kohl’s.  
Just looking.  Lol

[NB Adult]

I used to enjoy tie around the fire having drinks and sharing -holy buckets- with the other fellows on Elk hunts high in the Cascade mountain range, eventually they began to make jokes about whose cot was going to be next to mine in the GI tent we uses to use, it caused my interest in hanging out with these Neanderthals to dwindle. I had a beautiful big five point elk in my sights and watched him until he hopped over a rise and disappeared. They all went, "What the hell is the matter with you?" I said he was beautiful and I decided I'd much rather pick up a top sirloin at the market than kill him, gut and quarter him and pack him out and pay a butcher to cut and wrap him. I was done with all that BS.

[ShawnaLeigh]

I suppose one will always come against sour situations that can seriously take away from what it once was for you.  
I understand appreciating nature and letting them walk.  Been there done that.  
I use to be chomping on the bit 4 months before my hunting seasons. Couldn’t wait!   Couldn’t sleep the night before the opener.  
Now I find it hard to get out of bed to go.  When I do I’m out there maybe till 830 am. Vs all day. I get bored now.  
I can see it slowing fading away from me.  I hunt mainly alone so no one to sour it for me other then me.  

[Josie Beth]

I still don’t like shopping in crowded stores but it’s not such a bad thing as it used to be. My interests and hobbies haven’t changed much except maybe they have morphed a little bit. I’ve always been the creative type. Art and music are things that I return to constantly. I do enjoy outdoor activities but mostly around this time of year it’s camp fires and s’mores. I’ve never really been attracted to drinking beer around a fire. Sure I’ve done it a few times but only if there’s women involved and storytelling. I’m not a huge fan of the deer camp version of that. 

 

I suppose the things that have changed most are my choices in food and hair care. Granted healthy dieting is good anyway but I wasn’t as conscious as now, same for my hair and skin. 

 

As far as social interaction I just enjoy talking with people more. I don’t always have time for it but I’m more inclined to smell the roses so to speak. I make time for it. I’m sure my interests will change more with age. 

[Jani]

Along with any changes in hobbies, etc. due to emotional changes brought on by hormones, age will also temper our opinions on things.  We stop doing some activities and try new things just because we can.

[Maid In Bedlam]

Once upon a time. In a land far far away. I was an die hard home mechanic. I have vivid memorys of changing a clutch on a Vauxhall cavalier in the snow. Thats how dedicated i was. Taking an engine from an old ford, stripping it down to components and then putting it all back together again did not even phase me. Also saved me fortunes in Garage bills.

Even before that I was a Motorbike fanatic and still hold a full bike licence. But havent been on one for about Twenty Five years.

I wouldnt like to recall the amount of wrecked bikes i got my hands on and rebuilt from the wheels up.

 

As its been said. There is female mechanics. But honestly i have no interest in working on cars or indeed bikes anymore.

 

I still have a very keen interest in classic cars. When i say classic I mean Anything pre 1985.

 

But as far as working on them goes. I am physically not strong enough or have the tenacity to even want to do it anymore.

 

The Hormones took my strength, and wow did it take my physical grunt, and the wanting to do this anymore.  I can still impress my partner by seeing something on the road classic and being able to name it on site. But im just not intersted in what makes it tick.

It also doesnt make it better that i was doing this in my prime and now i have waved that goodbye.

 

However. Now I enjoy fashion,  clothes and yes shoes to. Which is a bonus as i work in retail.  I wouldnt say its a hobbie as such but  really enjoy it.

 

In a way the hormones do alter your personality in that sense  in my opnion,. Well it did for me. I still have a wealth of male only knowledge so to speak. but the implimentation just isnt fourthcoming anymore. 

 

With DIY I can still do things but as long as they not to physical. Such as hang wallpaper etc. I was also good at that. In fact i was good with my hands period and would be happy to attempt most things

 

In a way having that knowledge is a good thing. as if i have to take my car to the garage i play dumb but actually will know if they are trying to get one over on me.

 

I do not feel sad that it changed my outlook from what i knew. If anything its giving me the knowledge from another life as i see it. Practical knowledge is never a bad thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ShawnaLeigh]

I have definitely noticed a loss in strength too.  I struggle with things two handed I was able to move easily one handed.  
Though with all the posting about cars and bikes it brings up another side of this for me.  
I was never interested in either growing up but always thought I should of been back when I a teen and even through adulthood.  I mean nothing speaks male as loud as being into mechanical work on such things. 
now I say that and I’ve spent most of my adult career being Maintenance Technician in versions manufacturing facilities.  Mostly machine maintenance and robotics.  The more technical side of it.  
Still cars have eluded me all these years.  I don’t work in maintenance capacity any longer.  I got tired of the lay offs.   
I’m  a BioMed no and it’s much nicer. I get to wear basically golf clothes.  Albeit men’s still but I just wear a lot of bright colors and pink all the time plus no grease under my finger nails.  Lol

[Jackie C.]

Decrease of muscle mass is one of the reasons I started working out before I started hormones. I didn't have a lot of mass to lose (well, not MUSCLE anyway) and I wanted to make certain I could still do the things I like to do... or push my car back into the garage if I had to.

 

Hugs!

[Josie Beth]

 

I don’t want to do anything that uses my upper body at all. It’s one of the reasons why I don’t want a job doing anything that requires that. Not only do I have less strength but I’m still very dysphoric about my arms. It’s good to be in a cleaning job now because I also don’t have to get my fingernails dirty anymore. If I do have to lift anything I get creative so it’s not going to take as much effort. Like using other objects as leverage. I don’t understand how guys can man handle things like it’s nothing. They often pick the harder way to do things and I just think it’s foolish. 

 

I have zero interest in getting under a car or anything like that anymore. Often times people suggest that I just get a junker so I at least have a car but that means working on it so no thank you. 

 

[ShawnaLeigh]

45 minutes ago, Josie Beth said:

 

I don’t want to do anything that uses my upper body at all. It’s one of the reasons why I don’t want a job doing anything that requires that. Not only do I have less strength but I’m still very dysphoric about my arms. It’s good to be in a cleaning job now because I also don’t have to get my fingernails dirty anymore. If I do have to lift anything I get creative so it’s not going to take as much effort. Like using other objects as leverage. I don’t understand how guys can man handle things like it’s nothing. They often pick the harder way to do things and I just think it’s foolish. 

 

I have zero interest in getting under a car or anything like that anymore. Often times people suggest that I just get a junker so I at least have a car but that means working on it so no thank you. 

 

This is me too.  I work out 430am every morning on the exercise bike.  15 or so ab work in the afternoon.  I WANT to lose muscle mass in my upper body.  I still have 30 pounds to lose so I’m focusing more on cardio.  Tummy needs to slim n tighten too.  Lol

[Jackie C.]

Me neither, I'm just toning. More reps, less weight. I have a little upper body definition if I'm actually using it, but I am in no way bulking up. I'm working with a physical trainer to make sure I just build lean muscle. He doesn't have a lot of trans clients, so it's a little bit of a challenge for him, but we're working through it and he listens to me when I give him feedback.

 

I also work with a pair of cis-women, who give me advice. One of them is a former body-builder and she likes to help people who who are willing to try. She's got plenty of definition, but still looks nice. I don't have her body-type and wouldn't try it, but it looks really good on her.

 

Hugs!

[tracy_j]

On 10/20/2019 at 1:27 AM, Josie Beth said:

 

 

As far as social interaction I just enjoy talking with people more. I don’t always have time for it but I’m more inclined to smell the roses so to speak. I make time for it. I’m sure my interests will change more with age. 

 

I tend to get stressed out at times and in a rush. I just tell myself it is a masucline thing and women take more time to be sociable and tend to be slower. I find that it may be a big signal in passing, or at least, acceptance.

 

23 hours ago, Maid In Bedlam said:

Once upon a time. In a land far far away. I was an die hard home mechanic. I have vivid memorys of changing a clutch on a Vauxhall cavalier in the snow. Thats how dedicated i was. Taking an engine from an old ford, stripping it down to components and then putting it all back together again did not even phase me. Also saved me fortunes in Garage bills.

Even before that I was a Motorbike fanatic and still hold a full bike licence. But havent been on one for about Twenty Five years.

I wouldnt like to recall the amount of wrecked bikes i got my hands on and rebuilt from the wheels up.

 

 

I was a bit similar, at least with bikes. I got my first (offroad as I had no license) as a box of bits jigsaw puzzle. I learned a lot! You post did bring back many memories, although one specific. I remember a group of us changing an engine in a Ford Escort. We had no frame or any other hoist and got the old one out and replacement in by brute force. It was often a case of make do. I also remember we sneaked onto a local RAF base once to make use of the ramps at the base motor club to change an exaust system LOL .

 

Tracy

[KymmieL]

I used to think the same that being trans female would make a difference in what hobbies I enjoyed. Then I realized that females enjoy the same hobbies as males do. Yeah, in some hobbies woman are the minority. Have been for centuries but nothing says a female can't do it too.

 

I have seen plenty woman who are into cars, riding motorcycles, playing video games, etc. I see woman shooting  and hunting. I say don't worry about it. Just enjoy what you like to do.

 

Kymmie

[Josie Beth]

I do enjoy shooting and hunting occasionally and I can dress a deer with the best, but I just don’t really enjoy deer camps. I guess it’s mostly because of the gross discussions and the obsession with building a pile of beer cans. But I’ve always been that way. I know that I won’t really fit in so often I deflect when I’m invited to join “the guys” in whatever activities are going on. I don’t care how tolerant they are I’m just not really interested. Perhaps it would be different if I was asked by some lgbtq friends. The campfire conversations would definitely be a lot better.

[ShawnaLeigh]

1 hour ago, KymmieL said:

I used to think the same that being trans female would make a difference in what hobbies I enjoyed. Then I realized that females enjoy the same hobbies as males do. Yeah, in some hobbies woman are the minority. Have been for centuries but nothing says a female can't do it too.

 

I have seen plenty woman who are into cars, riding motorcycles, playing video games, etc. I see woman shooting  and hunting. I say don't worry about it. Just enjoy what you like to do.

 

Kymmie

I 100% agree with this.  For me though I feel the changes of desire to do things I couldn’t wait to do.  Now it’s “Meh”.  I wondered is the change in brain chemistry is part of that.  

[Jani]

I brought my "shovel" in the shop yesterday to check fluids and all in preparation for winter activity.   It's a 3 cylinder diesel that I've had for 15 years or so.  I still enjoy working on and with it.