In the course of history, there has been a societal belief in male superiority over females, promoting sexism. This perception of gender inequality hinders our understanding of the unique qualities associated with each gender. A world lacking diversity and individuality would be dull and unstimulating. Nowadays, it is widely acknowledged that men and women differ not only physically but also in terms of emotions and mental characteristics.
The physical differences between men and women can be easily observed and measured in terms of weight, shape, and size. Men generally have approximately 30% more upper body strength than women, while women tend to have higher body fat percentages because they are capable of bearing children. Regardless of the strength of men, they will never experience the challenges of childbirth. Additionally, men find it easier to build muscle, have thicker and oilier skin, are less prone to bruising, and have a lower vulnerability to extremity injuries.
Hormonal differences also exist between men and women; men have higher levels of testosterone while women have higher concentrations of estrogen. Testosterone is essential for sexual and reproductive development in males while estrogen plays a significant role in shaping female body characteristics.
Moreover, men possess larger hearts, brains, and lungs compared to women. A larger heart is associated with qualities such as love, care, and affection. The 11-12% difference in brain size between men and women does not imply greater intelligence or emotional capacity; instead it primarily serves the purpose of producing more red blood cells due to their muscle mass.
Both men and women have different emotional needs. For men, trust is important, while for women, care is necessary. Men feel trusted when women have an open attitude towards them and believe in their abilities and intentions. On the other hand, women feel loved and cared for when men show interest in their feelings.
However, acceptance is crucial for men as they don’t like the idea of being changed. Women require understanding which can be achieved through a man listening to her without judgment but with empathy. When her need to be heard and understood is met, it becomes easier for her to accept his needs as well.
Similarly, men need appreciation – when a woman acknowledges the small things he does for her, he feels appreciated and motivated to do more.
It’s important to note that this perspective reflects my personal beliefs.
Both men and women possess distinct mental characteristics. Women, in particular, have a larger limbic cortex, which enhances their problem-solving skills and capacity for emotional processing. Conversely, men have larger brains with greater amounts of grey matter, while women exhibit higher levels of white matter. This surplus of white matter enables women to think more rapidly. The expression of emotions among females is influenced by both biological factors and societal norms. Societal stereotypes create an environment where it is more socially acceptable for women to openly demonstrate emotions such as crying or laughing without feeling judged or vulnerable. In contrast, men often suppress their emotions in similar situations due to potential embarrassment, even if they experience the desire to shed tears during a sorrowful movie while on a date with a woman (I cannot fathom why this occurs).
Although men and women have distinct differences, it is important to recognize that God has given each of us a purpose. Diversity brings more enjoyment than uniformity, but treating both genders equally is crucial because the Bible states that men cannot exist without women. Using phrases like “You do this like a girl” or “You do that like a girl” is offensive as it belittles both boys and girls. Girls handle situations uniquely; for instance, if someone throws something at Jessie, she would throw it back and engage in playful banter. On the other hand, Sammie would also throw the object back but laugh it off and turn it into a playful game rather than an unnecessary fight. Despite different approaches, respect should be shown between men and women as we are all children of God.
