Autism and males

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For some reason, males have a tendency to have a type of autism more than females. The reasons are unclear unfortunately. Can you explain what you think about this and what could the reason be?

Are you sad about being male and wished you were born female in regards to this, or not mecessarily?

thank you

I think males tend to be diagnosed more often, but I'm unsure if I think they 'have autism' more than women throughout history. I think quiet women were considered demure, and no one cared much what their thoughts were or how they experienced the world. They had to wear uncomfortable clothing, socialise in ridiculous ways, and follow social norms just as much as autistic men. Odd or quirky women were seen as heretics and sometimes burnt at the stake as witches, taken advantage of, molested, or mocked as spinsters. They were considered crazy for any deviation from the norm. Some women were sent to insane asylums just for speaking their minds, being asexual, or seeming less "feminine" than other women.

I'm not sad about being male and don't wish I was born anything other than what I am.

It's possible that if mutations on the X chromosome are relevant, that having two copies provides some redundancy.

I am glad I was born male mostly for nonautistic reasons such as not having periods, the pain of pregnancy, the expense and complications of getting dressed and not having people constantly leering at me and groping me and sexually harassing me at work just because. And age discrimination is worse for females. And it is just easier to pee.

Instead of celebrating my diagnosis's 10th anniversary this year, I would still be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

Often I like to go places by myself. That is just not a safe option for females.

^Not much I can add to the above; ASPM said it all! I'm pretty happy to be male.

If I could live my life over again and could choose my gender, I think I’d probably be male.

My brain doesn't feel like it has a gender.
It just is.

I'm happy to be me.

In terms of reproductive body parts, I'd rather be female because I enjoyed carrying babies.
In terms of sexual activity, I can't say because I've never done it as a man.

I think autism in males is more noticeable I males. Being shy and a bit socially awkward is not a good trait to have as a male whereas I think in women people are more likely to overlook it, assuming they even notice.

I don't envy men. I think I'd have a very difficult time being a man, especially with all the toxic masculinity expectations. The good thing is that those expectations seem to be changing over time so it's not as bad as it used to be, but I still think it would be a tough gig.

I've always thought men have fewer options than women in many key areas. For the most part men can only wear "man clothes" like basic trousers or jeans and shirts. Women can wear skirts, dresses, jeans, leggings, trousers, shorts, skorts, frilly tops, sexy clothes, prim clothes, T-shirts, outlandish clothes, and pretty much any colour of the rainbow. Men seem to get a limited palette of "man" colours which are blue, black, white, red, or beige. BOR-ING. Women get better footwear choices too, even if they opt to stick with trainers. Men don't get the same freedom of choice.

Women can dye their hair any colour, change it weekly, wear makeup, have piercings, etc., and change their "vibe" or style whenever they want. They can have long hair or short hair or big curls. They get to use curling irons, flat irons, or even get perms. If they’re bald it’s considered a cool fashion statement. For the most part men can't do any of that without being judged.

It's kind of considered normal for women to like other women and be sensitive. When men like other men or get sensitive they're considered gay. Not that being gay is bad, it's just a double standard.

In terms of work women can do pretty much anything these days and no one is surprised. They can work or stay home. They can work part-time. They can be CEOs or daycare teachers. Men are still judged if they have "women's" jobs like being a nurse (I hate the term "male nurse"), or teaching Kindergarten. Some people assume men are paedophiles if they want to spend time with little kids. If they're CEOs people assume they're power-hungry aholes but women can have that job and be respected as smart leaders.

I know I'm generalising and of course there are hardships for women throughout history and even today. I'm not diminishing women's struggles at all, or the bad things some men have done to cause those troubles.

I think my personality would be much like it is now if I were a cis man, and I'd be very passive. I likely wouldn't ask people on dates or be competitive in work or school. I'd be a homebody. I'd be an empathy sponge and cry at orange juice commercials. I'd still want kids and I'd want to raise them myself as a stay-home parent. I assume I'd still be "me" on the inside, but that's probably more acceptable from a woman than if I were born male.

OK seriously I’m gonna go clothes shopping right now!

Laters!

I’m not into clothes or doing stuff with my hair, so I wouldn’t mind that aspect of being male at all. I also tend to keep my feelings and emotions to myself.

My life would’ve been better and sucked less if I was born a male in a variety of ways. I’m speaking from a personal standpoint/personal experience only. It’s not true for everyone of course.

I don’t want to make this about who has it easier in a general sense.

I agree. ^

I don’t think I’d be any different and I’m not into any of that either. It’s certainly not a contest. There are challenges for everyone. I was just thinking of gender norms and how much they suck.

I didn’t mean to derail into a “who has it worse” idea, and I hope I didn’t give that impression.

I am going shopping though because my PJ bottoms that I’ve lived in for about ten years finally got a big hole in the back and I should likely own more than one bra so I don’t have to wash it so much.

Male autism is just more noticeable because its more commonly outward, versus female autism which is inward. We are pretty familiar with this.

Like a lot of autistic people, I view gender differently (based on what others pressure me to do) than the average person. I don’t really pay attention to any female expectations, (e.g. dressing a certain way, talking with a certain tone, choosing certain careers, etc.) but I am happy to be a woman, mostly because I just don’t know what it is to be a man. My mother appeared upset once when I got “boy shoes” but I thought why does that matter? I just like these shoes because they are comfortable. I do not understand this obsession with gender and what gender means, just accept who you are and what you want to do.

My autism is very outward.

It’s extremely noticeable.