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Revision as of 08:23, 8 February 2003 by Zoe (talk | contribs) (Creating a new login ID doesn't change the POV of your comments.)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)A woman is an adult, female human. When people talk about women, they may be using the word in terms of sex, or in terms of gender roles, or both.
In terms of sex, women have primary and secondary sexual characteristics that differentiate them from men, including:
- small, short bodies
- wider in hips than in shoulders
- enlarged breasts
- vagina
- thin skin
- long, fast growing hair
- lack of facial hair
Most women are able to become pregnant and bear children, which is the subject of obstetrics. The subject of female reproduction and reproductive organs is called gynecology. Women generally reach the menopause in their late 40s or early 50s, at which point they can no longer become pregnant.
The gender roles ascribed to women by society often differ from those assigned to men over a wide range of behaviours. In modern western society, more women than men wear clothing such as dresses, skirts, and high heels. Women are more likely to make use of plastic surgery and cosmetics, frequently to appear younger than they are. The gender roles of men and women in society changed dramatically after the sexual revolution. Current roles are criticised by both the feminism movement and the masculism movement.
The general study of women at universities is pursued under the heading "women's studies." Presently that study is closely associated with feminism, sometimes even radical feminism. The study of the social and economic differences between the sexes is also closely related.
See also: