Innate Differences Between the Sexes: Reality, Not Fantasy (Part 3)
What we can learn from observing animals.
The limitations of using animal studies to test theories about humans are obvious: Humans have numerous distinctive differences from other animals. But what it does do is reduce behavior to its biological component, since nonhuman animals are not subject to the complex social, cultural and political problems that humans grapple with.
(Interestingly, the people who argue that there are no inherent differences between males and females tend to be the same people who insist that humans differ from other animals only in our degree of evolution.)
With that in mind, let’s see if we can learn something from our “close relatives”: monkeys. It turns out that monkey toy preferences have been consistent along gender lines with those of human children. In a study of vervet monkeys by Gerianne Alexander and Melissa Hines, the male monkeys chose the car and the ball, while the girl monkeys preferred the doll and the pot. Both genders of cute kids seemed equally comfortable with a picture book and a stuffed dog.
What makes a particular toy a “boy’s toy” or a “girl’s toy”? Children’s toys are those that have the ability to be actively used and propelled through space; girl toys are the kind that invite contact. Boys ‘and girls’ toy preferences appear to be biologically pre-established, and this biological pre-wiring is the “cause” of the “effect” of toy gender stereotypes, not the other way around.
In another study of monkeys, the males typically fought, while the females cared and cared for the young. However, females injected with testosterone in utero fought and behaved like males.
Why do we all have to be the same?
Some people think that they all have to be the same to have the same value. But differences can be recognized and celebrated without questioning the fact that we, as human beings, can make a valuable contribution to society.
Consider this: Men and women are equally good at problem solving, but they use different methods. For example, when giving and following directions, men tend to use distance and direction, while women use landmarks. They both find their destinations just as quickly and easily.
Think of all the ways we can categorize people: gender, age, race, nationality, religion, culture, birth order, education, occupation, marital status, lifestyle, skills, talents, abilities, physical attributes, hobbies , dreams, goals … the list is virtually endless. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to recognize that members of some groups are more talented in sports, others in science; some in music, some in visual arts, culinary arts, performing arts.
People are made up of many different identities, combined in endless ways, to make each of us unique. Humanity as a whole would be incomplete without one of these “identity classifications.” Gender is our most basic and important identity classification. It’s the first thing people want to know about us!
Food for thought: Most of the famous scientists, explorers and athletes in the history of civilization have been men; so too, artists, poets, and composers; so too, dictators, tyrants, and mass murderers. Men have dominated almost every aspect of society from the beginning, and they are likely to continue to do so. But “dominant” does not necessarily mean “better.”