What makes a Woman?

I was reading through one of my old journals and saw an entry, I wrote 2 years ago.
I wrote
“Viney (name of that diary), I was just thinking what makes a girl a woman?! Is it the wicked ritual called circumcision, or menstruation?
Is it the thrusting upon of her hymen or the birth of a child? Is it the strength of her mind?”

Really what makes a woman? I am not talking about good or bad, for we all have our different perceptions of what is right or wrong.
What is happiness for a woman?
Does a woman need a man to define who she is?
Why do most women misunderstand each other?

I don’t have any answers, that is why I ask

Excerpt from an emotional book, I just finished reading GOOD WOMEN OF CHINA BY XINRAN.

How Chinese men describe the different women in their lives, using fishes.

Lovers – Swordfish – Tasty but with sharp bones.
Personal secretaries: Carp – The longer you “stew” them, the more flavor they have.
Other men’s wives: ‘Japanese puffer fish” trying a mouthful could be end of you, but risking death is a source of pride.

Their own wives: Salt cod –Because it keeps for a long time, when there is no other food, salt cod is cheap and convenient and makes a meal with rice.