Differences in the Genders

In the modern Western culture, there has been a dramatic push for the neutralization of gender. One of the many claims involved is that men and women are not only equal, but identical in all ways except biological. While the physiological differences must be considered, other aspects in culture, psychology, and history must be inspected.

Interestingly enough, studies have demonstrated that those who consider themselves "transgender" score far more similarly to their original biological gender than that of their preferred gender. Fascinating. 

The Big Five (OCEAN) personality test is widely used, having been concocted from grouping thousands of traits into five basic and generic ones. It is often given to employees to determine how well they will match with various jobs, and is used professionally in debates. Overall, a well-established theory.

In a study conducted, they set out to determine whether or not men and women have significantly different personalities, independent of culture and bias. They administered the test, as well as supplying additional testing, and collected an impressive data set.

Their conclusion? Personalities gathered, on average, into two primary curves. These curves are not absolutely segregated, and overlap quite a bit. Nonetheless, they are statistically significant in their differences, particularly in traits such as Agreeableness.

While these differences may be merely hormonal in nature (pun intended), another study determined a purely psychological difference. 

In an examination of the brains of males and females, the conclusion was reached about a difference in brain structure. As a little bit of background, I'll introduce the differing matters in the brain.

Gray matter is the processing centers of the brain. It consists of "neuronal cell bodies, neuropil (dendrites and myelinated as well as unmyelinated axons), glial cells (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes), synapses, and capillaries." In other words, it assists in the puzzling aspect of the brain, such as solving puzzles and spatial understanding.

White matter, in contrast, is mainly composed of myelinated nerve fibers, and is used to communicate fluently between different concentrations of gray matter.

Men have over 6.5 times the amount of gray matter in their brain than females do, while women have nearly 10 times the amount of white matter. This complex tissue of connective impulses provides women with more organization and relationship orientation, and men with a unique ability for zoning unwanted stimulus from their minds.

Any faithful woman married for a significant amount of time could tell you about their man’s penchant for not paying attention, just as any married man could tell you of their woman’s knack for connections, some of which may be nonexistent.

Of course, this has practical application, despite the pains it may cause members of the relationship. Men, typically the working partner, are generally more able to leave their work at work, and their personal lives at home, while women sometimes struggle. An enormous proportion of women’s affairs happen at work. While I cannot recall the exact numbers, it was something like eighty percent of women’s affairs, and thirty percent of men’s affairs. A sizable gap.

For women, this allows them to monitor connections and relationships occurring in the family, inter-family, with school, each other, and other such things that may be influencing the well-being of their children and spouse. Ultimately, this helps to remove if not threats, then downright harms to the well-being of the family in general.

On the downside for both of these, women often become annoyed with a man’s lack of attentiveness, and their inactivity while at home, often preferring video games to chores (a growing occurrence). At the same time, men often complain about how their wives nag them, and pester them for not seeing things that they cannot logically comprehend.

Despite these differences, men and women are complementary figures in every way.