This is a question that the celebrated sci-fi writer, Ursula Le Guin, explored in her book, ‘The Lefthand side of Darkness’. In it, she conceived of a race of a humanoid people who had evolved to the extent that men could get pregnant and bear children. For a few days a month, members of this race would come into heat, just like mammals, and be available for mating with the sex role being arbitrary, so a man could take on female biology and become pregnant. It is an intriguing idea.
What does this fantasy do to our conceptions of gender? At present, we seem to be questioning gender roles, particularly those in the trans movement. I must admit I find the drag scene repellent. This seems to me to be a group of men, channelling their inner panto dame, pretending that womanhood consists of big hair, sparkly dresses, high heels and lots of makeup. I do not recognise this as representing my gendered experience and regard it as an insulting parody, much as black people regard the Black and White Minstrel Show. I suspect sometimes that this may be an example of misogeny. Much of the discussion about becoming a woman seems to centre on biological and hormonal changes and operations to develop breasts. But little discussion of pregnancy and childrearing.
I don’t see trans men (they may be there) walking beside their sisters on marches protesting against violence, sexual harassment and the gender pay gap. These are probably more central issues for most women than which sparkly dress to wear. We know that women often experience violence in pregnancy and, of course, taking time out to rear children means that we suffer lower wages when we go back to work, as well as carrying the major burden of childrearing, often taking part-time jobs to manage all these responsibilities.
So pregnant men? What are the chances? How many men would go for it if such an operation ever became possible? Le Guin suggested that this biological change would eradicate violence towards women and create greater equality because the sexes would no longer be differentiated in this important respect. Both sexes would be equally vulnerable or powerful, depending on your perspective.
Havi Carel’s book suggests that healthy people take their bodies for granted and in our failure to notice our bodies, it becomes transparent until illness forces us to confront our vulnerable physical selves. The discussion about gender calls into question what part gender plays in our bodily understanding. Is this questioning a form of illness as some psychiatrists claim – naming it ‘body dysmorphia’ ? Or is it a radical challenge to the gendered social hierarchy? Are those who do not choose the medical route but lay claim to gender fluidity, the real revolutionaries? Or is gender too bound up in our physical capabilities to exist solely in social expectations and possibilities? Accounts of transitioning seem to focus on medical solutions where individuals transition to what exactly?
Walking whilst ill 