So what if that's her belief? She shouldn't be bullied into window-dressing her opinion to conform with other people's beliefs or a more acceptable societal belief. Instead of denying your truth, remain silent. I think it's cowardice to say what you really don't believe just to avoid the backlash, but if you choose to find your voice, say what you believe are stand by it.
There are certain issues that may have been settled by one school of thought but they clash with other schools of thought. That you don't agree with a person's opinion on a personal matter, doesn't make either of you right. This, in my considered view, is one of those topics that doesn't have a universally right or wrong answer. The answer depends on each individual's mindset. If she believes having a baby makes a woman a "real woman", that's purely her ideology which is neither superior nor inferior. It's an endless debate like the "nurture versus nature" ideology.
You may see her as being ignorant or you may agree with her, it depends on your mindset as well. A friend of mine told me that since I had both of my angels through C.S, I can't know what "real women" go through during labour and the feeling of pride a woman feels after a vaginal birth. Put differently, she think I'm not a "real woman" or the pride of motherhood I feel is incomplete. I respect her opinion, though I don't agree with it. I also know better than to argue with a lady with a fixed mindset. A cousin of mine refused an epidural during labour because she felt she will be less of a mother if she doesn't endure pain associated with birthing a child. That's how she feels and no argument on earth can sway her mind. Guess what? They are entitled to their opinions and I respect them for being honest, regardless of how unpopular their opinions may be.
What I find hilarious is, there are a lot of women and men as well, who really think a woman who hasn't given birth is somewhat less of a woman. The problem is, they are scared to own their beliefs. So they join the bandwagon and say what people and the society will consider less offensive but behind closed doors, they will even say worse. If that's truly Serena's belief, I may not agree with it but I don't think she deserves the excoriation she is getting. If this trend continues, sooner rather than later, we will end up acting like robots programmed to say only what is expected of us and not really how or what we feel.
