Cultural Gender Differences

This research paper discusses the origin and significance of cultural gender differences in contemporary society. As the human species as evolved over time, significant differences between the male and female genders have developed due to a combination of, and the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Those differences have been the subject of every day observation and societal judgment, as epitomized by the French saying, vive la difference! The roles of males and females have undergone a confusing transformation in recent decades which has stimulated serious scientific and other research into the origins, cultural outcomes and significance of these differences. This essay attempts to present a balanced summary of the results of that research. Its theses are that: (1) as this research deepens human understanding of gender-differences, society will be afforded the opportunity to break with the rigid gender stereotypes of the past and to fashion new roles for each sex that correspond more closely to their respective needs and society's; but also that (ii) this process of societal change will unfold fitfully and be accompanied by considerable cultural and political conflict and uncertainty.

At the core of the current scientific, cultural and political controversy over gender-differences lies the question as to whether and what degree they are the result of innate or inherited fact

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ment of the brain." The Hoyengas do not go that far but say that there might be genetic or hormonal differences at the pre-natal stage in male homosexuals. One of the discoveries that is emerging from recent research is that women and women both share certain common sexual tendencies or genetic mixtures. Lindsey says that "many people exhibit adrogeny, which combines or reconciles traits considered to be feminine or masculine." Pool says that "most people are a blend of both male and female traits." Pool goes on to suggest that the most desirable form of social equality is not a unisex world, as envisaged by some feminists, but rather "one in which women have been freed to make their own contributions to reach their own potential." According to him, "it is not necessary to deny the existence of sex differences in order to insist that the sexes are inherently equal and they should be treated that way." Feminists such as Hubbard regard such formulations as patronizing toward women, "biological differences between women and men are used to rationalize the stratification of the labor force by sex; they do not explain it." Changing Gender Roles and Stereotypes How one evaluates and comes down for or against the various schools
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Hoyengas Pool, Charles Darwin, According Lindsey, Blau Ferber, TODAY'S SOCIETY, Feminists Hubbard, Origins Gender-Differences, Gilder Marriageable, Roper Poll, Roger Sperry, diego greenhaven, greenhaven press 1995, press 1995, diego greenhaven press, san diego, san diego greenhaven, male/female roles, greenhaven press, ed jonathan, jonathan petrikin, roles ed, ed jonathan petrikin, male/female roles ed, gender roles, males females,
Approximate Word count = 3311
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page)

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