If medical research regarding Female/Male differences continues to suggest biological differences between the average woman and man, then maybe it’s sorta like trying to change someone’s genetic blueprint when we attempt to change each other. I challenge skeptics to investigate some of the latest research which reveals major differences developing even early in pregnancy. It appears to be a genetically programmed set of differences. Geneticist Anne Moir says:
“A key implication here is – if your partner has a different profile of these priorities than you do, it’s useless and disrespectful to criticize or try to change them. Attempting to do so is like demanding that s/he change her or his fingerprints. What do you think?”
Dr. Moir urges that ‘we stop the “battle of the sexes” – for neither is right or better, we’re just “wired” differently. Thus in communicating, it would help if men and women stop judging and trying to convert each other (“You are so illogical!; Yeah? Well you have the sensitivity of a tree stump.“), accept our different abilities and skills as complementary, and blend them cooperatively to manage our life challenges! This seems to answer Henry Higgins’ question in My Fair Lady “Why Can’t A Woman … Be More Like A Man?!” ‘
I’m not saying we shouldn’t work hard sometimes to change ourselves, but maybe we could be a little more understanding and accepting verses impatiently pressing the others in our lives to be like us. Since most men have seven times more testosterone programming them to be more task oriented, maybe it would be wise to consider that propensity before judging them harshly. Likewise since most women have an advantage accessing the emotional side of life, maybe we should consider that as an advantage in many relationships. As Marian C. Diamond, Phd. suggests:
“Sex differences and the brain. What does it matter, you say? I think it does. Through such knowledge we will eventually be better able to understand the basis for behaviors that many now perceive as entirely rooted in social custom or familial history. From that understanding, we will gain the acceptance, patience, and respect so vital to all human endeavor.”
What do you think, what do you feel? Remember we are talking about average differences!!