Differences between women and men.

[rado84]

Women are something that even the all knowing and almighty"god" can't figure it out.

A biker once asked god to make a bridge for him which connects USA and Europe. Since the biker was a good man, god decided to answer his prayer and said:
- Do you have any idea how much wood and steel it would take? It won't be good for the Earth. Don't you have any other desires?
The biker thought for a while and said:
Then I want you you to make so that every man on Earth to be able to understand his woman.
It was god's turn to think and an hour later he asked the biker:
- How long do you want the bridge to be?

[Whateverist]

Considering the ubiquitous sexual differences in the animal kingdom, and the fact that we are part of that kingdom, it would be more than surprising if there weren't differences.  Granted, we've civilized and technologized ourselves out of that world (to a certain extent), and no doubt the biological differences will become evened out, diluted, or I think more likely, disguised by social structures, dynamics, etc., but the differences between the sexes are real and perhaps not as undesirable as some people might think.  

My tiny baby brother
Who's never read a book
Knows one sex from the other
All he had to do is look!
(Annie Get Your Gun)

This all depends on how you define 'differences'. Genetically? Epigenetically? Neurologically?

In terms of basic genetics, the Y chromosone results in 10 protein-coding genes that are unique to human males. However those 10 genes aren't responsible for all of the differences we can observe. Epigenetically, there are ~150 unique-to-men, non-protein-coding genes that are copied in to RNA that account for some more of the differences. But as we observe developing and developed brains, there are many differences that can't possibly be described by either of those mechanisms and are clearly developed from learned behaviour.

It's all very complicated really so I prefer a meta-assessment. In the context of a modern westernised civilisation, statistically, the key differences are trivial. How many men really rely on enhanced muscular development for their survival or reproductive success? How many women rely on enhanced fat storage for theirs? And the rest of the differences (e.g. communication, multi-tasking, spacial awareness) are subject to such broad statistical variation as to become insignificant and consequently useless when predicting individual results.

We're all just human, really. I say we treat everyone equally, give everyone equal opportunity and let individuals be themselves. Any differences are just icing on the cake.

I agree in part with both of you.  It has been a long standing interest of mine to tease out what if any differences there may be between the sexes which are independent of culture/nurture.  Given our emotion filled, hormone driven capacity for reason our decision making capacity should be equally flawed or good,  but maybe there is a difference in the way it feels to be in the world soaked in estrogen vs in a testosterone modified body/brain?  My hunch is that there might be a difference in the way it feels to be male vs female, but how would we ever know?

[Mermaid]

Environmental disparity from birth.

Environmental seems like too strong of a word. I think you mean social?

We all share the same environment, after all.

No, I mean environmental. That is the result of social differences.

[Mermaid]

Except we don't.  

Environment is the right word but in English it has too broad an interpretation.

The German Umwelt hits the spot for ethological purposes.

No, I still think social is better. I can't think of any environmental disparities between the sexes, can you?

I'm talking strictly about humans here, and I think the question in the OP was directed at that as well. We're not talking about genders at a more general animal level.

Do males and females spend their days doing the same things? Our lives are pretty different from each other in general.

[Excited Penguin]

No, I still think social is better. I can't think of any environmental disparities between the sexes, can you?

I'm talking strictly about humans here, and I think the question in the OP was directed at that as well. We're not talking about genders at a more general animal level.

Do males and females spend their days doing the same things? Our lives are pretty different from each other in general.

That's not what I was saying. It's just that I think social would be a better word to describe it than environmental.

[Excited Penguin]

Environmental seems like too strong of a word. I think you mean social?

We all share the same environment, after all.

No, I mean environmental. That is the result of social differences.

Then I think you're wrong. Certainly, when talking about the differences between men and women one talks about a society rather than an environment.

[GrandizerII]

No, I mean environmental. That is the result of social differences.

Then I think you're wrong. Certainly, when talking about the differences between men and women one talks about a society rather than an environment.

In social sciences, environment often tends to mean anything aside from genetics. So social would be considered environmental.

[Excited Penguin]

Then I think you're wrong. Certainly, when talking about the differences between men and women one talks about a society rather than an environment.

In social sciences, environment often tends to mean anything aside from genetics. So social would be considered environmental.

Right, guess I must've forgotten about that.

Just goes to prove my point that using social instead of environmental is better in some circumstances, so as to avoid confusion.

[The Valkyrie]

LL needs to know the difference between men and women?

Check a69.

[Whateverist]

Why you no offer link?! Now I gotta go sort through all that smut myself.