DO I NEED TO BE A WOMAN?

What is Bama ?

There are people who are going to be offended regardless of who you are. If you mean to be respectful and they take things the wrong way then they are dealing with their own issues and that's them... not you. Some people psychologically project onto other people and others just like to be nasty because it makes them feel better about their own scummy life.

Do we need to belong to a particular group or nationality before my opinion is of merit? 

Somewhat.  Depends.  You certainly need to have a workable understanding on all of the points below as well as this one.
Do I need to be a woman to have an opinion on reproductive issues? 

NO
Does my heterosexuality bar me from having any views on homosexuality?

Nope
Do I have to be religious to be able to reflect on the G-d question?

NO
Do I need to be English to understand the intricacies of the English meat pie? 

Yes did you hear me?  YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Some things are not to be screwed with

I think you may be missing the point of the question, Bamagirl.

I would be making your answer a disservice if I would comment on it. Very cleverly surprising end. Thank you. It's very funny.

I tend to agree with you. Thank you for reading and writing.

That was unexpected. Sorry, if got you upset. It wasn't my intention.

Not necessarily .. but being there and living or experiencing any of these things on a regular basis .. day after day .. can give you a more realistic insight into what they're truly like.  Experience brings knowledge that you can't have by just looking over the "fence" periodically.

yes

I can live with that. I think I'm going to go with your answer. I am locked in an argument in which my authoritay is being questioned because I'm not of the Bfritish persuasion. Your answer has convinced me that I need to shut up more and listen more. Great answer!!!

Thank you Rp that's what I keep getting told.

I like LynCal's answer.

At the same time, I think everyone has a right to their opinions, even if we disagree.

Most of us can benefit from becoming better listeners.

The best answers to conflicts usually arise when we understand each other's specific needs.

All that should be necessary is for you to be you. We all should be able to be who we are. But that only goes if we truly are respectful and listen to each other with an open mind, making our best efforts to understand what was meant. As we need to do our best efforts to be understood as we meant when sharing our viewpoints or sayings.

I do too Hart,
I like your answer also. I agree. It's just difficult sometimes to accept council from somebody far away removed. For me at least.
Thank you for writing fire.

I agree, S, it would be nice if we all could do that.
Or even if I could do that most times. I appreciate your insight.
Thank you for writing.

Do you like meat pies ?....My Auntie has a swell recipe !

Sure!! That would actually be great!

Am open to hearing more about your situation, Chauvi, if you feel like sharing it.

Hope what I said didn't sound like advice - I meant it as just a reflection and liking of your response to Lyncal.

You're welcome. I believe you're doing this most times. You seem to me to be one of the more reflective members of this place, and you're aware when you think you're less. :-)

My answer would be 'no' to all the above questions.. I think if you are a man you are fully of right to have any opinion of women's issues or reproductive issues. I think we are all one, and we physically have all the same molecules/makeup and as male or female, share so much more than could ever be different. So when people say, 'Well you might not know much on the subject, etc' who are they to determine how much someone knows or has an opinion about?? I really liked this question b/c it is very thought provoking and it illustrates how silly it is to think that someone who isn't English cannot understand their food, or how being a man would be any reason why one couldn't comment or know about female reproduction.