Are gender differences fact or fiction? Discuss with respect to at least two distinct measures or traits.
‘Are gender differences fact or fiction?’ Discuss with respect to at least two distinct measures or traits.
There are several ways in which to answer this question, but I will begin the essay by defining the question. Gender differences that are fact are defined as being proven by science; these could be research and experiments that have been performed, to get results about sexes. Differences that are fiction are basically ideas that are made up in our minds, you could say that they are constructed and these could be for several reasons, e.g. media and social groups.
The majority of people believe gender differences to be fiction as they may be influenced by social background. There are several gender differences within masculinity and femininity within family and friends. We should note that these differences are increasing with age as children’s intellectual biases are being exaggerated and intensified by gendered cultures within a social community. Parents treat their children the way they would expect a boy or girl to be, so the children adopt and learn this concept. Traditional education creates an image on family’s gender roles. Children would see their parents in ‘separated worlds’, for example a mother could be seen as doing the laundry or cooking and taking care of the child, and their farther as working or fixing things. Changing traditional gender roles seems to be difficult, not because woman or men do not have the necessary skills for one’s task but because everyone carries with them their own symbol of a ‘world’, As Plato would describe, to be their ideal realm in their minds. Society’s evolution, especially on woman redefines gender role, promoting a woman more active and independent, whereas a man would be more involved in household tasks.